The 'second' season of the AFL fixture is about to get underway as 18 teams have been trimmed down to eight.
Adelaide claimed the 2025 minor premiership after rocketing back to September for the first time in eight years, following a 15th-place finish last year.
Geelong's perpetual contention continues, and saw them finish second while the reigning premiers, Brisbane, bucked the recent trend of premiership teams failing to reach the finals.
GWS and Fremantle earned home elimination finals, while Gold Coast will compete in their maiden finals campaign.
Hawthorn finished in eighth but is no slouch when it comes to premiership chances.
But the question is, where do the advantages lie?
Is it the home-ground advantage? What about the history between the two sides?
Let's delve in.
Week one matchups for 2025 AFL finals
Adelaide v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval
The two teams have played 51 matches since 1991, with Collingwood holding a fair advantage (35-16) throughout that time.
That number was exaggerated in recent years, as the Pies produced a 10-game win streak that was ended three weeks ago at the Adelaide Oval.
In the past five encounters, the two teams have been separated by 10 points or fewer, with the Crows finally breaking the hoodoo as they stormed to the minor premiership.
But the fire between the two will burn ferociously once more, especially given the Izak Rankine saga.
Collingwood has won all three finals encounters against Adelaide and is not frightened by the hostile crowd in South Australia, which has previously been a happy hunting ground.
Geelong v Brisbane, MCG
These two clubs have played off in spectacular encounters, and no one can forget last year's preliminary final, which the Lions won by 10 points.
Geelong holds a slight advantage over the past 30 years, winning 25 clashes out of 45 clashes.
However, Brisbane has history on their side, winning the past three games, including a comprehensive 41-point victory in Round 15 this year.
The two powerhouses have played in four finals, all of which have featured in the penultimate week of the AFL season, which have been split evenly.
GWS v Hawthorn, ENGIE Stadium
The Giants and Hawks can't be split after 16 encounters, dating back to the former's introduction in 2012.
The pair have played off in tight contests in recent history, with the last six clashes decided by 22 points or fewer.
Hawthorn has never won at ENGIE Stadium and will go in as underdogs.
However, Sam Mitchell's men were victorious in Round 3 this year, coming from behind to hold off GWS by 12 points in Tasmania.
They have never faced off in a final, but both were stiff not to go deep in last year's finals series.
Fremantle v Gold Coast, Optus Stadium
The Dockers hold a strong advantage throughout the years over Gold Coast, winning 11 of 16 clashes since 2011.
Fremantle has won the past three outings, including the wet-weather bash in Round 12 by 11 points.
The Suns have never beaten the Fremantle in Western Australia, but a maiden finals berth is already a major improvement for the expansion side.
