2010 AFL finals series

Collingwood was never challenged by the Bulldogs throughout the game. Collingwood midfielders Dane Swan (39 disposals, 3 goals), and Scott Pendlebury (30 disposals and 2 goals) controlled the game. The Bulldogs' best player was Ryan Griffen (34 disposals, 2 goals), who had come into the game under an injury cloud. Collingwood advanced to the preliminary final to play the winner of the second semi-final (Geelong), and the Bulldogs advanced to the first semi-final against Sydney.

St Kilda won in an upset against Geelong in the qualifying final. The Saints controlled the first half, and held a 33-point early in the third quarter, before Geelong fought back. The final quarter was played in heavy rain, and Geelong dominated general play, recording seventeen inside-50s to St Kilda's five; however, wayward goalkicking saw Geelong score 1.7 (13) to St Kilda's 1.0 (6). A potential go-ahead goal by Cameron Ling with one minute remaining was disallowed because Cameron Mooney pushed James Gwilt in the back during the tackle which set up the shot on goal. Although controversial, the free kick was deemed to be correct.^[2] Mooney and Geelong coach Mark Thompson were both criticised in the media for their response to the free kick, but neither was penalised by the AFL.^[3] St Kilda advanced to the preliminary final to play the winner of the first semi-final (Western Bulldogs), while Geelong advanced to the second semi-final against Fremantle.

Sydney recorded a memorable elimination final win against Carlton at ANZ Stadium by five points. Sydney scored the first four goals of the game, and maintained that advantage at half time, but Carlton scored five unanswered goals in the third quarter to lead by seven points at three-quarter time. First-year forward Trent Dennis-Lane proved the match-winner in the final quarter, scoring two of the Swans’ three goals, as Sydney won by five points. Josh Kennedy played his best game for the Swans, Brett Kirk effectively tagged Kade Simpson and Dennis-Lane finished with four crucial goals. Carlton captain Chris Judd was instrumental in Carlton's third-quarter fightback, while Marc Murphy was damaging through the midfield and Andrew Walker, who had played mainly in defence during the season, played forward and scored three goals.

Fremantle record its second win in a finals match in the club's history, overpowering Hawthorn by 30 points at Subiaco Oval. Fremantle built a 42 point lead at three-quarter time, while Hawthorn's goalkicking accuracy was poor, scoring 1.11 (17) in the first half. Hawthorn kicked four goals to two in the final quarter, but Fremantle withstood the minor challenge to win and advance to the second semi-final against Geelong. Tagger Adam McPhee was particularly influential on Luke Hodge, holding the former Norm Smith medallist to only five disposals in the first three quarters.

Sydney entered as narrow favourites, having won its last five games, and with full forward Daniel Bradshaw and goalsneak Ben McGlynn back into the side. After a close first quarter, Sydney dominated the second quarter, kicking five goals in a row to lead by as much as 30 points. However, goals against the run of play to Bulldogs Barry Hall and debutante Andrew Hooper reduced the margin to 16 points at half time. The Bulldogs' played much better in the third quarter, scoring three goals to Sydney's none to tie the scores at three quarter time; the Swans missed several opportunities, scoring 0.5 (5) in the quarter. In a tight final quarter, the Bulldogs opened up a 13 point lead, and while Sydney brought the margin back to 5 points, the Bulldogs held on for the victory. The loss was the final game for Sydney captain Brett Kirk and coach Paul Roos, who had both pre-announced their retirements at the end of the season. The Bulldogs advance to their third consecutive preliminary final, a rematch of the 2009 preliminary final against St Kilda.

Geelong scored eight goals to Fremantle's one in the first quarter of their semi-final to take a 42 point lead into quarter time. From there, Geelong was never seriously challenged, eventually winning by 69 points. Geelong dominated the disposal count, recording 484 disposals (the highest ever in a final) to Fremantle's 287. Geelong advanced to its fourth consecutive preliminary final, and the third of those to be played against Collingwood.

Collingwood built a big lead early in the game, and Geelong was never able to bring the game back to competitive. At one stage, Collingwood led by over 80 points, before Geelong scored 8 second half goals to finish 41 point behinds, meaning they missed on competing in the AFL Grand Final for the first time since 2006. The Cats' 62-point half-time deficit was the largest that Geelong had faced in any game since Round 18, 1998 against Sydney.

Despite being underdogs, the Bulldogs started the match well. In slippery conditions, the Bulldogs made the most of their opportunities to take a six point lead at half time. In the third quarter, Nick Riewoldt inspired the Saints to a seven-goals-to-one quarter, opening up a 31-point lead from which the Bulldogs could not recover. It was the Bulldogs' third consecutive preliminary final loss, marked the final game of retiring captain Brad Johnson. St Kilda advanced to its second consecutive Grand Final.

• The third drawn Grand Final in VFL/AFL history, following previous draws in 1948 and 1977.