Collingwood will host the West Coast Eagles at the MCG on Saturday afternoon in the First Qualifying Match of the 2011 AFL Finals.

The AFL announced the indicative fixture for week one of the finals with the Collingwood v West Coast match to be played at 2.20 pm.

Finals fixture for week one
Friday 9 September
Second Qualifying Final, Geelong v Hawthorn at the MCG, 7.45pm

Saturday 10 September
First Qualifying Final, Collingwood v West Coast at the MCG, 2.20pm

Second Elimination Final, St Kilda v Sydney at Etihad Stadium, 7.20pm OR Sydney v St Kilda at ANZ Stadium/ the SCG, 7.20pm

Sunday 5 September
First Elimination Final, Carlton v Essendon at the MCG, 2.40pm

AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said the AFL had determined the schedule to ensure the four teams had a longer preparation time going into the second week of the finals series, compared to sides that win through from the two elimination finals.

He also said the Geelong-Hawthorn, Collingwood-West Coast and Carlton-Essendon match-ups had to be played at the MCG, due to the expected attendance at each match.

"The Geelong-Hawthorn and St Kilda-Sydney Swans matches are on the same side of the finals draw, as are the Collingwood-West Coast and Carlton-Essendon games, meaning it is preferable for those pairs of matches to be played on consecutive days, to ensure similar preparation times for week two of the finals," he said.

"In each case, the loser of the qualifying final will have one day longer than its opponent to prepare for the semi-final in week two, to ensure that any advantage through the finals should rest with higher-placed teams on the ladder where possible."

Mr McLachlan added the fixture for the second weeks of the finals would see games played on Friday night and Saturday (time TBC).