PLAYING at the MCG during September should hold little fears for this year's three interstate finalists based upon their collective form at the venue during the home-and-away season.
It's a small sample size, but only Greater Western Sydney has been beaten at the home of football, with both West Coast and Sydney finishing the premiership season with an unblemished record at the venue.
The Swans would be particularly confident journeying to the MCG, with their two wins this season coming against fellow finalists Hawthorn in round eight and Melbourne in round 21.
Before their final round 45-point loss to Melbourne, the Giants had not played at the MCG since round two when they defeated Collingwood by 16 points.
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However, the round 23 performance would have been cause for concern for coach Leon Cameron as his side allowed Melbourne to kick five goals to nil in the space of 20 minutes in the third quarter.
The Eagles, meanwhile, will avoid a trip to the MCG until this year's Grand Final should they defeat Collingwood in their qualifying final match-up.
A win over the Magpies on Saturday would book a home preliminary final at Optus Stadium and ensure West Coast doesn't have to travel to Victoria until the season-decider if it progresses through September.
West Coast has recorded two wins at the MCG this season, defeating Carlton by 10 points in round five, and its qualifying final opponents, Collingwood, by 35 points in round 17 in the game that saw Nic Naitanui's season ended by another knee injury.
Interstate finalists' record at the MCG in home and away season
West Coast
Played: 2
Won: 2
Lost: 0
Wins: Defeated Carlton by 10 points in round five; defeated Collingwood by 35 points in round 17
Greater Western Sydney
Played: 2
Won: 1
Lost: 1
Win: Defeated Collingwood by 16 points in round two
Loss: Defeated by Melbourne by 45 points in round 23
Sydney
Played: 2
Won: 2
Lost: 0
Wins: Defeated Hawthorn by eight points in round eight; defeated Melbourne by nine points in round 21.
