GEELONG could host Greater Western Sydney in consecutive games at Simonds Stadium if they qualify to play them at home in the first week of the finals.

The AFL's newest franchise is shaping as the only realistic opponent for the Cats to host at their home venue in the finals series given the ground's capacity of 36,000. 

Geelong is drawn to play Greater Western Sydney in round 23, with a decision on when that game is played not expected until after round 20.

The Cats are sitting second with six rounds remaining, with non-Victorian teams Adelaide, the Giants and Port Adelaide occupying the other three top-four spots.

On current ladder position, they would play the Giants at Simonds Stadium in the opening week of finals, with a finals Showdown derby at Adelaide Oval, while the Sydney Swans would play Melbourne at the SCG and Richmond would host West Coast at the MCG.

However, with ladder positions changing weekly in one of the tightest seasons in the game's history, no certainty on finals match-ups is expected until after round 23.

It makes clubs reluctant to lobby for a home final until they qualify, however Geelong is understood to believe it should host finals at home if they qualify above their opponent.   

The possibility of Geelong hosting Adelaide, Port Adelaide, West Coast or one of the Victorian teams is believed to be unlikely, with Port Adelaide still capable of attracting a crowd to the MCG.

They are the only other potential match-up that might be considered, but given 52,774 attended the MCG the last time Geelong played Port Adelaide in a final in 2013 it would be unlikely.

The only final Geelong has played at Simonds Stadium was in the 2013, when it hosted Fremantle in the qualifying final and attracted 32,458.  

The AFL no longer has a contract with ANZ Stadium, which hosted a final between the Giants and the Sydney Swans last season, with the Sydney-based teams expected to play any home finals they qualify for at their home venues, Spotless Stadium and the SCG.