Pronunciation: [kjˌuːˈɛf] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "QF" is quite simple and straightforward. It is pronounced as /kjuː ɛf/ in phonetic transcription. The first sound is a combination of the 'k' and 'y' sounds, followed by the 'oo' sound. The second sound is the short 'e' sound, and the final sound is the 'f' sound. While it may seem like an unusual combination of letters, the pronunciation of QF can easily be broken down using IPA phonetic transcription.
QF is an acronym that stands for "Qualifying Final," primarily used in the context of sports, particularly Australian rules football (AFL) or rugby. A Qualifying Final is a type of playoff or knockout match played between two teams to determine their positions in the final series or championship.
In AFL, the Competition draws are divided into Home and Away rounds, after which the top eight teams advance to the finals series. The top four teams from the Home and Away rounds progress directly to the first week of finals, with two matches played: Qualifying Final 1 (QF1) and Qualifying Final 2 (QF2). These games involve the top four ranked teams competing against each other, where the first-placed team faces the fourth-placed, and the second-placed takes on the third-placed team.
The winner of a QF advances directly to the next stage of the finals, known as the Preliminary Final, while the losing team gets another chance to proceed through the finals by playing in a subsequent match, known as the Second Semi-Final or Semi-Final. Typically, the team that finishes higher in the Home and Away rounds receives the home ground advantage for QF, playing the match at their home stadium.
Overall, QF is a significant match in the AFL finals series that determines the initial standings of the teams and serves as a direct pathway to the next stage of the competition.
