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AFL Preliminary Finals 2025: how to watch Geelong vs Hawthorn & Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions for FREE

AnyFans 2025-09-20

By Andy Murray

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AFL Preliminary Finals 2025: how to watch Geelong vs Hawthorn & Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions for FREE

Andy Murray

19 September 2025

It’s arch-rivals Cats vs Hawks, followed by Magpies vs Lions for a place in next week’s Grand Final

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(Image credit: Getty Images / Sarah Reed / AFL Photos)

Watch AFL Finals from abroad

Watch in the US

Watch in the UK

Watch in Australia

Watch in Canada

Stream all AFL Finals games free on 7Plus (Australia)
Stream from abroad with NordVPN (save 76% today’s deal)
AFL Preliminary Finals 2025: Fri, Sep 19 & Sat, Sep 20
Game 1: Geelong vs Hawthorn at 7.40pm AEST
Game 2: Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions at 5.15pm AEST

The AFL Preliminary Finals 2025 are set to be two absolute crackers for a place in next weekend’s Grand Final, with Geelong vs Hawthorn on Friday, followed by Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
Geelong against Hawthorn is a modern-day rivalry for the ages. The Cats have beaten the Hawks by an average of 44 points in their past four meetings, including an Easter Monday blowout victory at the MCG, yet it’s the Hawks who have held sway in all bar one final since 1963. Eighth seeds Hawthorn have come through two finals rounds already and demolished Adelaide last weekend but will hope Jack Gunston, Jack Ginnivan and Jarman Impey recover from injury. Geelong, who haven’t played since beating Brisbane Lions in the qualifying final, will hope ruck Rhys Stanley has recovered to start.

In Saturday’s other preliminary final, the two most recent premiers face off as 2023 winners Collingwood take on 2024 champions Brisbane. The Magpies reached this stage of the season for the third time in coach Craig McRae’s four-year spell after beating top seeds Adelaide in the qualifying final at the beginning of September, while the third-ranked Lions demolished Gold Coast last week. Brisbane snapped a four-game losing streak against Collingwood in their most recent encounter – a winless run that included the 2023 Grand Final – but will have to again do without two-time Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale, whose season is over through injury. Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe is nearing fitness.
Read on below for a complete guide to where to watch AFL Preliminary Finals 2025 live streams online, on TV and potentially for free.

Can I stream AFL Finals 2025 for free?
All nine games of the AFL Finals, including the Geelong vs Hawthorn & Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions Preliminary Finals, are available to watch for free courtesy of 7Plus in Australia.
Outside of the country on holiday? Access your free AFL Finals stream using NordVPN — more on that below.

Use a VPN to watch AFL Preliminary Finals 2025 from abroad

You can watch AFL Preliminary Finals 2025 from abroad with NordVPN, which we’ve tested in-depth (see our best VPNs round-up).
Get a VPN, connect to your usual streaming service from anywhere, and watch all nine games live on your screen. Easy!
Resorting to illegal streams is a bad decision. If you’re stuck abroad, consider a VPN to safely stream the AFL Finals via an official platform, such as 7Plus.

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How to watch AFL Preliminary Finals live streams in the US

In the US, the 2025 AFL Preliminary Finals are split between FS1 and FS2. If you don’t have a cable package, both channels are available on a streaming basis via Sling and Fubo.
FS2 is showing Geelong vs Hawthorne, while FS1 is airing Collingwood vs Brisbane.
However, as explained above, if you’re currently traveling in the US from Australia, a VPN will help you tune in. NordVPN is our recommended provider, and you can find out why with our in-depth NordVPN review.

How to watch AFL Preliminary Finals live streams in the UK

The AFL Finals, including Geelong vs Hawthorn & Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions in the Preliminary Finals, are being televised across TNT Sports channels in the UK.
To access TNT Sports, you’ll either need to add it to your TV package, or you can take out a standalone subscription via Discovery+, which will set you back from £30.99 per month. You’ll also have access to Premier League, Champions League and Europa League football plus rugby, wrestling, UFC, MotoGP and more.
If you’re currently traveling overseas, don’t worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch your usual service from abroad.

How to watch AFL Preliminary Finals live streams in Australia

In Australia, the AFL Finals are split between free-to-air 7Mate and Channel 7, with live streaming available via 7Plus.
If you’re currently out of Australia but want to watch free AFL Finals coverage as you would at home, you’ll need to get yourself a VPN, as per the instructions above.

How to watch AFL Preliminary Finals live streams in Canada

Every game of the 2025 AFL Finals, including Geelong vs Hawthorn & Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions, is being shown on the TSN network of channels.
If you don’t have cable, the TSN Plus streaming service costs CA$8 a month or $80 each year.
Outside Canada during the AFL Finals? Simply use a VPN to watch from abroad.

AFL Finals 2025 FAQs

What is the AFL Finals 2025 schedule?
Preliminary Finals
Friday, September 19
Geelong vs Hawthorn
5.40am ET / 2.40am PT / 10.40am BST / 7.40pm AEST
Saturday, September 20
Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions
3.15am ET / 12.15am PT / 8.15am BST / 5.15pm AEST
Grand Final
Saturday, September 27
Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2
12.30am ET / 9.30am PT (Fri) / 5.30am BST / 2.30pm AEST
All matches to be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Can I follow the AFL Finals on my mobile?
Of course! Each of the major broadcasters has streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone’s browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key moments from the AFL Finals on the official social media channels on YouTube (@AFL), TikTok (@AFL) and Instagram (@AFL).

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

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Andy Murray

Freelance Writer

Andy Murray is an award-winning sports writer and columnist. A fluent Spanish speaker and former semi-professional footballer, he was senior staff writer of world-leading football magazine FourFourTwo for seven years and continues to write and edit for them, national newspapers, websites and Premier League clubs. He is not a famous tennis player.

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