The fixture for next week’s two MCG AFL Preliminary Final matches have been locked in with the Geelong Cats and the GWS GIANTS setting up blockbuster showdowns with Richmond and Collingwood for spots in the 2019 AFL Grand Final.
The Cats will face Richmond in the Second Preliminary Final at the MCG on Friday September 20 from 7.50pm after defeating reigning premiers the West Coast Eagles in the First Semi Final on Friday night.The Magpies will host the GIANTS, who ended the season of the Brisbane Lions in a thrilling Second Semi Final at the Gabba on Saturday, in the First Preliminary Final on Saturday afternoon at 4.35pm.
The Geelong Cats and Richmond have met in 10 previous finals with nine of those played at the MCG.
Their last September meeting came just two years ago in the 2017 Second Qualifying Final, which Richmond won by 51 points.
Their last Preliminary Final showdown came back in 1995, when the Cats defeated the Tigers at Waverley Park.
The Pies and GIANTS only finals meeting came in last year’s Semi Finals at the MCG, which Collingwood won by 10 points.
It’s the third time in four seasons that the GIANTS have reached the penultimate weekend of the season.
For the first time since 2011 the MCG will host both Preliminary Finals.
Since the top eight was introduced in 1994, the MCG has hosted both Preliminary Finals on eight occasions.
Week Three Fixture of the 2019 Toyota AFL Finals Series
Second Preliminary FinalRichmond vs Geelong Cats
Friday September 20 at the MCG, 7.50pm
First Preliminary Final
Collingwood vs GWS GIANTS
Saturday September 21 at the MCG, 4.35pm