The 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final between Casey Demons and Southport Sharks on Sunday, September 18 at IKON Park has been brought forward and will now start at 12:50 pm AEST (previously 2:30pm).
The match will be broadcast live on the Seven Network (Channel 7 in Victoria / 7mate in Brisbane and Gold Coast / 7plus nationally) and live streamed free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official app. Television coverage will commence at 12:30 pm AEST.
The decision to change the Smithy’s VFL Grand Final start time and make it earlier came following the 2022 Charles Brownlow Medal Count being rescheduled from Monday, September 19 to Sunday, September 18 to ensure the medal count does not conflict with any potential funeral arrangements of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The 12:50 pm start time allows the Seven Network to broadcast the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final live on its main channel in Victoria and avoids any clashes with the Charles Brownlow Medal event that evening.
2022 SMITHY’S VFL GRAND FINAL
Casey Demons v Southport Sharks
Sunday September 18, 2022
IKON Park, 12:50pm AEST (previously 2:30pm AEST)
Broadcast/streaming: Seven Network from 12:30pm (Vic - Channel 7 / Brisbane and Gold Coast – 7mate / National - 7plus). Free live stream on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official app
Ticketing: For the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, admission prices are adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online via: www.intix.com.au/events/vflgrandfinal2022
AFL Head of State League Competitions, Jennie Loughnan, said: “Congratulations to Casey Demons and Southport Sharks on their magnificent seasons and places in the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
“I would like to thank all stakeholders involved in adapting to the circumstances which led to us making the decision to change the start time of the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final. 12:50 pm is an optimal timeslot for television coverage, teams and fans, and avoids clashing with the Brownlow Medal event.
“We are expecting a fantastic finish to the 2022 Smithy’s VFL season and looking forward to crowning a VFL premier for the first time since 2019.”
Coles Liquor General Manager Customer, Trade Planning & Loyalty, Mia Lloyd, said: “Smithy’s is proud to support the Smithy’s VFL and we wish both Casey Demons and Southport Sharks the best of luck in their pursuit of the premiership.
“197 games have been played so far in the 2022 Smithy’s VFL season and we are looking forward to crowning the 2022 Smithy’s VFL premier on Sunday.”
Casey Demons won through to the Grand Final with an emphatic 51-point victory over the Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields on Saturday after defeating the Sydney Swans by 47 points in the qualifying final. The Demons only lost one game for the season – in the final home-and-away round to the Lions – to finish clear on top of the ladder and will be aiming to complete a remarkable campaign.
Southport Sharks finished third on the Smithy’s VFL ladder after the home-and-away rounds and progressed to the Grand Final with a scintillating 28-point win in a local derby preliminary final against the Gold Coast Suns at Fankhauser Reserve on Sunday. They won their qualifying final by 49-points over the Lions.
