FANS are flocking to Etihad Stadium for the inaugural Good Friday game between North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, with the crowd expected to reach at least 45,000.

The historic clash starts at 4.20pm AEST, but supporters of both teams were gathering outside Etihad up to three hours before the first bounce.

As of 2pm, 5000 tickets remained available, 4000 general admission and 1000 reserved. 

North and the Bulldogs drew a crowd of 47,622 at Etihad when they met in a top-of-the-table clash in round six last season.

North remains confident of matching that figure but, as Friday's home team, is hoping for a strong turnout of its members.

The AFL awarded North and the Bulldogs the right to play the first game on the Christian religious holiday last October, despite strong bids by rival teams, particularly Carlton and St Kilda. 

However, League CEO Gillon McLachlan has said the Good Friday fixture could be rotated between other teams in the future.

North Melbourne leadership group member Jamie Macmillan said this week the Roos were determined to make the blockbuster occasion their own. 

"It's an historic moment for the game, so it's going to be exciting and it's something that we want to develop into a special day for football," Macmillan said.

"But, more importantly for our club, we're gunning to have it every single year."