The centre of Melbourne will grind to a halt on Friday as thousands of AFL fans cheer on Sydney and West Coast Eagles stars in the AFL Grand Final parade.

The Swans' Brownlow medal winner Adam Goodes and 2006 Rising Star Danyle Pearce will join the grand finalists as they ride though the city's streets in a precursor to Saturday's season finale.

"The parade is the City of Melbourne's way of bringing the Grand Final to the CBD," Melbourne Lord Mayor John So said.

"It gives the public a unique opportunity to be close to their football heroes and a chance for supporters to get behind their team."

The parade starts at 12.15pm (AEST) outside the city's Arts Centre on St Kilda Road before travelling up Swanston Street, along Collins Street and onto Spring Street.

Meanwhile, city transport officials are urging fans heading to the game at the MCG to let public transport take the strain instead of the car.

"Catching a train, tram or bus means passengers avoid frustrating traffic and parking hassles," Metlink CEO Bernie Carolan said.

While extra trains and trams will be laid on to accommodate the expected large numbers, authorities urged travellers to be patient and allow extra time for their journeys.

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