Hawthorn will be in Perth for week one of the AFL finals, despite Saturday's stirring three-point win over minor premiers Collingwood.

The AFL have announced the schedule for the first two weeks of the finals, with Sydney's Saturday night win over Brisbane meaning the Swans finished fifth and the Dockers were sixth, giving them home elimination finals.

Fremantle will host the seventh-placed Hawks at Subiaco on Saturday afternoon, while Sydney play eighth-placed Carlton in the other elimination final on Sunday at ANZ Stadium.

Second side Geelong and St Kilda, who finished third, open the weekend with their qualifying final on Friday night at the MCG.

The Magpies will start strong favourites on Saturday night at the MCG in the other qualifying final against the Western Bulldogs.

"It was the AFL's view that we wished to maximise both attendances at the MCG, as well as providing big games for our television viewing audiences, by placing the two qualifying finals to be played in the Friday night and Saturday night timeslots," said AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan.

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

The AFL have also announced the schedule for the September 10-11 semi-finals, with the loser of Geelong-St Kilda playing the winner of Fremantle v Hawthorn on the Friday night at the MCG.

The loser of the Collingwood-Western Bulldogs match will play the winner of Sydney-Carlton in the other semi-final on Saturday, also at the MCG.

If Sydney win, it will be an afternoon or twilight match so the Swans can fly home that night.

Otherwise, it will be an all-Victorian night semi-final.

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