The AFL has released the first week of finals fixtures, which kicks off next Thursday night with Port Adelaide and Geelong clashing at Adelaide Oval.
The Power and Cats will clash in the first qualifying final on Oct. 1, before Brisbane host Richmond at the Gabba the next night in the second qualifying final.
The two remaining elimination finals -- between St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs (Gabba), and West Coast and Collingwood (Optus Stadium) -- will be played on the Saturday.
AFL general manager of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld said the league had to balance maximising attendances and audiences, along with considering relevant club preferences and equitable day-breaks where possible in determining the fixture.
He said the AFL had again chosen to open the finals series with a Thursday night match, after the success in recent years of that timeslot with regards to both attendance and television viewership.
Auld said the St Kilda vs. Western Bulldogs elimination at the Gabba took into consideration the Saints' request to play at that venue, as they finished above the Western Bulldogs on the ladder.
As the first elimination final at Optus Stadium is scheduled for Saturday, Collingwood will remain in Queensland until this Friday, before flying to Perth to complete a seven-day quarantine period prior to the match.
The winner of that match will play the loser of Port Adelaide and Geelong, while the winner of the St Kilda and Western Bulldogs match will face the loser of Brisbane and Richmond.