GEELONG or the Western Bulldogs will benefit from close to an extra 24 hours rest over their Toyota AFL Grand Final opponent after the league announced its schedule for this weekend's preliminary finals.

The AFL announced on Sunday two night matches for the penultimate round of the finals, with Saturday’s Hawthorn-St Kilda match to start at 7pm – almost 24 hours after the Cats and the Bulldogs vie for their spot in the big one at the MCG.

The scheduling will mean that of this year’s eight finals matches (not including the grand final), six will be played at night and two during the day.

Asked on Sunday morning his thoughts on the prospect of his team potentially being disadvantaged by having a full day less to prepare for the biggest games of their lives, St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt wasn't getting ahead of himself.

“We'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it,” Riewoldt said at the Saint's recovery session at St Kilda Sea Baths.

Toyota AFL Finals Series – Week three: