AFL finals 2016: Week one fixture

​The Bulldogs aren't happy that they'll have to travel back to Perth (having played Fremantle there in round 23), despite the extra week off. 

"We'd probably prefer a Saturday night to give everyone a chance to have an extra couple of days to be right from an injury point of view," coach Luke Beveridge said. "But we can't fight City Hall on that."

IN 2016: Western Bulldogs won only game

R11: Western Bulldogs 12.11 (83) def West Coast 11.9 (75) at Etihad Stadium

SEASON RECORD 

West Coast: 16-6, 130 per cent: One of the form teams of the competition, with eight wins in their last nine including interstate defeats of GWS and Adelaide. Showed against the Crows that Nic Naitanui's absence doesn't end their season.

Western Bulldogs: 15-7 115 per cent: The Bulldogs have found a way to keep the wins ticking over despite a ruinous injury toll, but succumbed to their worst loss of the season on Sunday to Fremantle. Will be underdogs when they return to the West in a fortnight, but aren't without hope.

Hawthorn veteran Luke Beveridge told 3AW on Sunday that a matchup with Geelong wouldn't be any different to a final another side - and that the radio station wouldn't get any other line out of him on the subject. Just another final. Yeah, right.

IN 2016: Geelong won their only game

R1: Geelong 18.8 (116) def Hawthorn 12.14 (86) at MCG

SEASON RECORD

Geelong - 17-5, 144 per cent: The Cats roar into the finals with seven straight wins and will relish a date with their arch-rivals, despite a poor record in September against Hawthorn. The Cats have just one AFL-era finals win in seven efforts against the Hawks.

Hawthorn - 17-5, 119 per cent: Pulled another rabbit out of the hat on Sunday to ensure a third-placed finish and avoid seventh position. The next-generation Hawks head to the MCG with the Kennett curse yesterday's news.

​After all the effort it must have taken to get potential Swans finals moved to the SCG, they are going to end up at ANZ Stadium anyway, against finals debutants the Giants. What a September initiation for the expansion club.

IN 2016: One win each

R3: Sydney 14.9 (93) def GWS 10.8 (68) at SCG

R12: GWS 15.15 (105) def 9.9 (63) at Spotless Stadium

SEASON RECORD

Sydney - 17-5, 151 per cent: The competition's best side this season and have the minor premiership to prove it. Three of their losses have been by less than a goal but their biggest of the season came to their cross-town rivals and week one finals opponent.

GWS - 16-6, 143 per cent: An historic first final for the expansion side, and it's a Sydney derby. Leon Cameron's side have incredible firepower in front of goal but how they fare on the biggest stage is the question mark.

The Crows had the chance to seal a double chance in round 23 but failed to do so against West Coast in front of a home crowd. Surely they will be out for redemption against a seriously stumbling North Melbourne side.

IN 2016: One win each

R1: North Melbourne 16.11 (107) def Adelaide 14.13 (97) at Etihad Stadium

R14: Adelaide 12.28 (100) def North Melbourne 10.7 (67) at Adelaide Oval

SEASON RECORD

Adelaide: 16-6, 138 per cent: A round 23 hiccup cost them their top-two position but the Crows couldn't have asked for an easier September opponent. Will enjoy Rory Sloane's return and will start hot favourites against North.

North Melbourne: 12-10, 105 per cent: Might as well represent a finals bye, with nine straight losses against 2016 finalists. Looked shot in round 23 loss to GWS and there are morale questions with the forced retirement of club legends including Brent Harvey.

AAP