ESSENDON and Carlton are certain to do battle in a finals-like atmosphere after the AFL confirmed tickets were fast running out for Friday night's blockbuster at the MCG.

The match between the eighth-placed Bombers and the Blues, seventh on percentage, is tipped to draw more than 75,000 fans.

Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) has confirmed that only a limited amount of public tickets are now available, with those seats being on the top level of the Ponsford Stand.

Any remaining unsold seats will be available on a walk-up basis when gate one opens at 5.30pm on Friday night.

Reserved seats are still available for AFL members, while a limited number of MCC visitor tickets are also on sale.

The AFL and MCC are encouraging patrons wanting to attend the game to pre-purchase their tickets through Ticketek at www.ticketek.com.au, phone on 132 849 or at Ticketek agencies.

As this is a reciprocal match, members of the away team (Carlton) are able to purchase reserved seats at the member upgrade price.

The MCC also advises those attending the game to allow plenty of time to arrive at the stadium and take public transport where possible.