[1] At the end of the second-last round of the 2014 season, the top seven teams had secured their qualification into the finals series; only eighth place was undecided.

[8] The opening match of the 2014 finals series featured reigning premiers and second-placed Hawthorn and third-placed Geelong.

[9] Geelong scored the first two goals of the game, before the Hawks controlled general possession and momentum for much of the remaining first half.

A late recovery in the second quarter saw Geelong overcome a 14-point deficit, resulting in scores being tied at 41-41 at half time.

The match was only the second occasion that Fremantle and Sydney competed at ANZ Stadium, the previous meeting at the venue coming in the 2006 Preliminary Final.

[13] Fremantle was forced to omit key defender Michael Johnson due to a back injury.

Sydney maintained a slight advantage on the scoreboard for much of the afternoon, though the match was dominated by large patches of no major scores, the longest of which coming for over 20 minutes in the second quarter.

From there, North Melbourne staved off repeated Essendon forward 50 entries in the last two minutes, to record a 12-point victory.

Port Adelaide started the match with seven unanswered goals by Justin Westhoff, Jay Schulz, Travis Boak, Matthew White, Jared Polec, Wines and Jake Neade, within the first eighteen minutes of the game.

The opening match of the semi-finals stage of the finals series featured Geelong and North Melbourne.

[25] Lindsay Thomas and Drew Petrie kicking four goals between them in the opening quarter as the Kangaroos' efficiency forward of centre caused concerns for the Cats.

In the second quarter, Geelong failed to restrict North Melbourne's uncontested possession game-style, and key position forward Tom Hawkins was well held by his direct opponent.[who?]

The Cats finished the second quarter goalless, and Nick Dal Santo led a dominant North Melbourne midfield to a 24-point lead at half time.

The two teams entered the final break in an identical position to half time: a 24-point North Melbourne lead, and two early goals to Jack Ziebell stretched North Melbourne's lead to a game high 32 points at the 14 minute mark of the final quarter.

With three minutes remaining, Jimmy Bartel snapped a goal from the forward pocket to reduce the margin to six points.

[27] North Melbourne's Drew Petrie finished with four goals, and Todd Goldstein who dominated the ruck contests for much of the game and gave his midfielders first use on successive occasions.