THE AFL has been forced to cancel the final round of the VFL season and the first week of the finals after yet another lockdown extension this week.

It means the season has come to an end for the VFL Bombers, who have finished in 20th position and therefore not qualified for finals.

The cancellation means the ladder has been adjusted on a match ratio order with not all teams playing the same amount of games. Collingwood moves into the top eight and Frankston drops out because the latter has played more games than the Magpies despite having the same points. 

The top four have also lost their double chances with the finals being reduced to three weeks. 

The finals will retain the top eight clubs but in an elimination format should they be able to start on the weekend of September 4, with minor premier Footscray to meet GWS (eighth), Southport (second) to play Collingwood (seventh), Box Hill Hawks (third) up against Williamstown (sixth) and Geelong (fourth) facing Casey Demons (fifth) in sudden-death showdowns.

The four winners will meet in the preliminary finals for a spot in the VFL Grand Final at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, September 19.

A further week's delay would see the fifth to eighth placed teams eliminated and the top four would play off for a spot in the decider.

Despite having not played a VFL game since round 15 against Southport, the Bombers' reserves have been able to get vital match practice via scratch matches, including Sunday's combined hitout with Gold Coast against Sydney.

2021 VFL PREMIERSHIP LADDERS – BASED ON MATCH RADIO FORMULA