CROWDS are being warned to travel light to this week's games, with weather, congestion and tight security to impact on all three host cities for the first week of the Toyota AFL Finals Series.
However, the prospect of inclement conditions isn't expected to diminish bumper crowds for an unpredictable three days of football.
Some 180,000 fans are expected to pass through the MCG turnstiles across this week's two finals.
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Millions more are expected to watch on television, with Channel Seven confirming Bruce McAvaney will lead the network's call of the week's first two finals as it released full details of its commentary line-up to AFL.com.au.
Public gates will open at 5pm on Thursday with 95,000 the official crowd estimate, while up to 90,000 fans are expected for Friday night with public gates opening at 5.30pm.
"We want to have everyone inside the stadium before the first bounce, however that is reliant on fans allowing themselves enough time and getting to the ground early," MCG chief executive Stuart Fox told AFL.com.au.
"Our entry processes, from bag checks to wanding, do take time, and we won’t compromise on safety and security.
"With big crowds for both games we are urging fans to arrive earlier than usual, or risk missing out on the action.
"Our security and event staff are doing an important job so please help them out – be patient, leave any unnecessary bags at home and cooperate with their instructions. By doing so you will also streamline your entry to the 'G."
As with other major games throughout the season, there is no public parking in Yarra Park, with gate three open for disability permit holders and other pass holders, but space will be limited.
"Combined with road closures and peak hour traffic, our strong advice to fans is therefore to catch public transport," Fox said.
"For those who can't avoid driving we recommend you plan ahead and consider parking in the city or an area near to the ground; then walk or catch public transport to the stadium itself."
The latest forecast points to a 60 per cent chance of up to 3mm of rain on Thursday afternoon or evening for Richmond and Hawthorn at the MCG.
The prospect of rain is dramatically lower on Friday, with the skies expected to be clear in time for the 7:50pm bounce between Melbourne and Geelong.
There's a 40 per cent chance of a shower at the SCG for Saturday's all Sydney elimination final between the Swans and Giants.
Fans attending the SCG are being warned of delays with a rugby league final being played at the adjacent Allianz Stadium in the Moore Park precinct.
And there's an 80 per cent chance of 1-2mm of rain on Saturday in Perth where Optus Stadium will host its first ever final between West Coast and Collingwood.
FINALS FORECAST
Richmond v Hawthorn – 7:20pm @ MCG
Shower or two. 60 per cent chance of rain.
Min 13. Max 20.
Tickets: Exhausted
Parking: No public parking, limited for passholders/disabled
Channel 7 commentators: Bruce McAvaney, James Brayshaw, Matthew Richardson, Luke Hodge, Jimmy Bartel
Simulcast on Fox Footy and Telstra AFL Live App
Melbourne v Geelong – 7:50pm Friday @ MCG
Partly cloudy. 20 per cent chance of any rain.
Min 7. Max 16
Tickets: Still available. See afl.com.au/finals
Parking: No public parking, limited for passholders/disabled
Channel 7 commentators: Bruce McAvaney, Brian Taylor, Wayne Carey, Cameron Ling, Daisy Pearce
Simulcast on Fox Footy and Telstra AFL Live App
Sydney v GWS – 4:20pm Saturday @ SCG
Possible shower. 40 per cent chance of rain.
Min 12. Max 19.
Tickets: Still available. See afl.com.au/finals
Parking: Limited, another major event in Moore Park precinct
Channel 7 commentators: Hamish McLachlan, Basil Zempilas, Cameron Ling, Jude Bolton
Simulcast on Fox Footy and Telstra AFL Live App
West Coast v Collingwood – 6:10pm Saturday @ Optus Stadium
Showers. 80 per cent chance of rain.
Min 11. Max 19.
Tickets: Exhausted
Parking: Limited. Fans advised to take train or walk across bridge from city
Channel 7 commentators: Luke Darcy, James Brayshaw, Matthew Richardson, Peter Bell
Simulcast on Fox Footy and Telstra AFL Live App
