MELBOURNE could be without an opening-week AFL final for the first time.

Adelaide and Sydney could host all the elimination and qualifying finals from September 7.

The finals will be spread over Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night, an AFL spokesman says.

Geelong need to beat Greater Western Sydney this weekend to ensure a final in Victoria — even then, it may not be in Melbourne with the Cats to push for a home-final in Geelong.

If the Giants defeat Geelong, there’s the likelihood of Adelaide, GWS, Port Adelaide and Sydney hosting finals.

The city of Melbourne has hosted an elimination or qualifying final since the system was introduced in the VFL in 1972.

But should a set of results fall this weekend, the city won’t feature as three Melbourne-based finalists will be on the road.

Adelaide, already assured of a home final, or GWS will finish top, and will likely host the Thursday night qualifying final, probably against Richmond.

Geelong and the Giants will be second and third, with the order to be decided this weekend, with second spot hosting the Friday night qualifying final.

Port Adelaide and Sydney are in the frame to host Saturday elimination finals, against Essendon and Melbourne respectively.

* Possible finals: Thursday September 7: Adelaide v Richmond, Adelaide Oval or GWS v Richmond, Spotless Stadium Friday September 8: Adelaide v Geelong, Adelaide Oval or Geelong v GWS, Geelong/MCG Saturday September 9 afternoon: Port Adelaide v Essendon, Adelaide Oval Saturday September 9 night: Sydney v Melbourne, SCG