Since then, we've moved to two different versions of a final six within three seasons, then, in 1994, a final eight. Even that has changed, too, the system now used to determine the premier introduced in 2000.

But through the various latter-day finals systems, the first weekend of finals, in which some teams attempt to avoid an instant finals exit and others fight for a huge leg-up towards a flag, qualifying and elimination finals have provided some of September's most memorable moments.

There's been a long roll call of great ones. And here's what I reckon have been the best 10 of them.

1. 1983 qualifying final, MCG: Hawthorn 19.13 (127) d Fitzroy 19.9 (123)

Hawthorn led by 21 points at three-quarter time, with Terry Wallace and Russell Greene busy and Peter Knights (six goals) on fire. But the Lions had a gun of their own, Coleman medallist Bernie Quinlan. He'd only kicked three goals to the last change, but in an amazing final term booted another five as Fitzroy added seven. The Lions hit the front with Quinlan's last, but a controversial free kick for deliberate out of bounds against Michael Nettlefold saw Michael Tuck goal, and another free converted by Richard Loveridge got the Hawks home.

2. 1985 elimination final, Waverley: North Melbourne 20.6 (126) d Carlton 16.11 (107)

The seasoned Blues led by more than six goals early in the third quarter with Wayne Johnston dominant. But the young Roos (with former AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou doing his bit) charged home, booting eight goals in the final term, youngsters such as Ross Smith and Darren Steele leading the way, and skipper Wayne Schimmelbusch, almost out on his feet by the end, kicking an inspiring goal. Carlton were still within one point late, but goals to John Holt and David Dwyer sealed the deal.

3. 1991 elimination final, Waverley: Geelong 15.14 (104) d St Kilda 14.13 (97)

St Kilda were contesting their first finals series since 1973 and had Coleman medallist Tony Lockett. But Geelong weren't short of firepower either. On this day, Bill Brownless stepped up for the Cats. He and Lockett staged their own personal shootout, Lockett finishing with nine goals, Brownless with eight. St Kilda led by 19 points at half-time after "Plugger" kicked five in the second term, but Geelong hit back with a seven-goal third quarter, and despite going into the breeze, held on in the last by seven points.

4. 1990 qualifying final, Waverley: Collingwood 13.12 (90) drew West Coast 13.12 (90)

In a classic, the Magpies and Eagles couldn't be separated. Collingwood skipper Tony Shaw and Darren Millane, playing with a broken thumb, were outstanding, and Chris Lewis was a star for West Coast. It took one of the great goals, a checkside snap from the boundary from Peter Daicos, to edge the Pies in front. Eagle spearhead Peter Sumich, his side trailing by one point, marked on the siren, but from a tight angle on his wrong side, he missed. Collingwood went on to win the replay and then to break a 32-year flag drought.

5. 1994 qualifying final, Waverley: North Melbourne 15.24 (114) d Hawthorn 13.13 (91)

This was AFL football's first extra-time final, the scores deadlocked at the end of regulation time after young Roo David King couldn't get the journey with a kick after the siren. John Platten and Darren Jarman were everywhere for the Hawks, but the most dominant presence was North Melbourne powerhouse Wayne Carey, who had an amazing 32 disposals, 10 marks and four goals, and lifted again in extra time as the Roos piled on 3.5 to no score to move into a preliminary final.

6. 1994 qualifying final, MCG: Geelong 15.16 (106) d Footscray 15.11 (101)

Incredibly, the same day as the Roos and Hawks played extra time, we nearly had a second bout in the evening. Geelong jumped out of the block, leading the Bulldogs by five goals at quarter-time, but led by Simon Atkins and a good spread of goalkicker, the Dogs clawed their way back. A late goal to Richard Osborne put the Bulldogs five points up, but moments before the siren rang, Bill Brownless marked on the lead 35 metres from goal. Under the most extreme pressure, he split the middle.

7. 2007 elimination final, Etihad Stadium: Hawthorn 15.15 (105) d Adelaide 15.12 (102)

Hawthorn were a team on the rise under Alastair Clarkson, the Crows a more seasoned September outfit. It showed early, as a seven-goal first term gave Adelaide a lead they hung on to nearly all game. The Hawks had stars in Shane Crawford and Sam Mitchell, but it was an emerging superstar named Lance Franklin who steered them home. Already with six goals under his belt, Franklin marked on the 50-metre arc with his side trailing by three points and only seconds left. He never looked like missing, the Hawks scoring a famous victory.

8. 1986 elimination final, Waverley: Fitzroy 8.10 (58) d Essendon 8.9 (57)

Essendon were aiming for a third straight flag and were heavily favoured. The Roys had to beat flag fancy Sydney just to sneak into the finals. On a shocking, wet Saturday at Waverley, Fitzroy stayed with the Dons, though the favourite, with Glenn Hawker starring, seemed to be getting on top. But Essendon couldn't kick one more goal to clinch the deal. They inched to a five-point lead before Mick Conlan, well-held by Mick Thomson all day, suddenly found acres of space to kick the winning goal with only his sixth disposal.

9. 2002 qualifying final, AAMI Stadium: Collingwood 16.12 (108) d Port Adelaide 14.11 (95)

Port Adelaide had topped the AFL ladder after a brilliant season. The Magpies had scraped into fourth spot, five wins in arrears, and were without their best player by some margin, skipper Nathan Buckley. The Pies were rank outsiders, facing a hostile Port crowd. But the pressure told on the Power, and the Pies played it for all their worth. Midfielder Paul Licuria was magnificent with 40 disposals, and as Port charged home, moments like a stunning goalsquare tackled applied by Ben Johnson on Peter Burgoyne kept them at bay.

10. 2013 elimination final, MCG: Carlton 18.8 (116) d Richmond 14.12 (96)

Richmond had made its first finals since 2001, the Blues were there by default after Essendon's disqualification., having finished four games behind the Tigers. In front of 94,690 It played out that way early as Richmond had much the better of play and the scoreboard, skipper Trent Cotchin starring. The lead extended beyond five goals before Carlton made their move. Six goals in the third term made it a kick the difference. And inspired by Mitch Robinson and skipper Chris Judd, the Blues ended up powering home with another six in the last.