The opening round of the 2015 Toyota AFL Finals Series was the highest-rating first weekend of finals in the competition’s history.

The four matches played drew a total gross viewership of 5,952,049.

The Western Bulldogs elimination final with Adelaide drew the second highest total audience of the weekend 1,503,840 – highlighting the Club’s growing appeal in 2015.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said the results had been pleasing for the league.

“The four matches to open the finals series last weekend were each tremendous contests and we were delighted that has been reflected in record television audiences across the Seven Network, Fox Sports and our regional broadcast partners,” Mr McLachlan said.

“More than 200,000 fans witnessed the action in person across the four finals in Perth and Melbourne and our broadcast partners continue to provide wonderful coverage of the game to those following the game from elsewhere.”

The total audiences for each of the four matches across metropolitan, regional and subscription television was as follows:

2015 Week One Finals – Total Audience of 5,952,049:

Second Qualifying Final – West Coast v Hawthorn – 1,711,676.

First Qualifying Final – Fremantle v Sydney Swans – 1,376,271.

Second Elimination Final – Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Crows – 1,503,840.

First Elimination Final – Richmond v North Melbourne – 1,360,262.

2012 Week One Finals – Total Audience of 5,948,657 (Previous Record):

First Qualifying Final – Hawthorn v Collingwood – 1,856,678.

Second Qualifying Final – Adelaide Crows v Sydney Swans – 1,322,746.

Second Elimination Final – Geelong Cats v Fremantle – 1,672,310.

First Elimination Final – West Coast v North Melbourne – 1,096,923.