Week 1 - Preliminary Finals

The 7 finalists are ranked in order of their final Premiership finishing positions, known as their Premiership Rankings (PR1-PR7).

The Minor Premiers (PR1) are awarded a bye in the first week. The next 3 highest ranked teams (PR2-PR4) are rewarded with home games against the 3 lowest ranked teams (PR5-PR7), with the highest ranked teams playing the lowest ranked teams (ie. PR2 v PR7, PR3 v PR6, and PR4 v PR5).

Preliminary Finals

Bye
PR1

Friday
PR2 @ Home vs PR7
(sudden death for PR7)

Saturday
PR3 @ Home vs PR6
(if PR7 wins, then sudden death for PR6)

Sunday
PR4 @ Home vs PR5
(if both PR7 & PR6 win, then sudden death for both teams)

Lowest Premiership Ranked Loser is Eliminated.

The lowest ranked loser will be eliminated. For PR7, a loss will result in sudden death. The schedule of matches ensures that PR4, PR5 and PR6 will know, prior to kick-off, whether a loss in this first match will result in elimination. Although the two highest ranked losers will progress to week 2, their rank for week 2 will be adjusted accordingly, making their path to the Grand Final more difficult.