Coaches are hoping the rivalry round might prove the tonic to get some AFL premiership fancies firing instead of floundering.

On a weekend the AFL hopes will be the greatest-attended round in history, several clubs must cope with the added pressure of needing wins in round three to kickstart their seasons.

Fremantle, St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne - four of the more highly-fancied teams before the season began - are all desperate to post victories to get their campaigns moving after slow starts.

The weekend is also a potentially massive one for the AFL, which hopes to break the attendance record for a single round - 367,974, set in round 22, 1998.

However, the league might be pipped in its ambition by a live television broadcast in Adelaide and the SCG redevelopment, which are likely to reduce crowds at two games.

Fremantle, who began the season as premiership favourites with some bookies, chase their first victory against reigning champion West Coast in one of most significant western derbies staged.

Dockers assistant coach Mark Harvey admitted the hype in the lead-up to the clash - expected to draw a capacity crowd of 43,000 - made it easy to fire up the players.

"A lot of people would tell you you don't have to do too much as a coaching group," Harvey said.

"You just go out there, because of the emotion and the build-up to the game, every headline that has been in the papers, every media headline that has taken place, is enough for them."

West Coast assistant coach Peter Sumich expected the game to be physical early, before it settled.

"Derby's are always physical, but in today's footy I think that goes out pretty quick," he said.

"The skill and the way players set themselves up for running, and the skills side comes into play.

"So the physical side might last for a couple of minutes early, but that would be about it."

St Kilda and the Bulldogs will attempt to bounce back on Saturday night at Telstra Dome after both were brought back to earth through bad losses in round two.

Melbourne has an even sterner test on their hands as they must combat a resurgent Geelong at the MCG on Sunday minus two key forwards, David Neitz and Russell Robertson, who both have knee injuries.

Although forecast good weather is also likely to assist the AFL in its record-breaking attempt, it might rue two costly factors out of its control.

Ticket sales for Port Adelaide-Adelaide Showdown at AAMI Stadium were well down, which indicates many Crows fans will prefer to watch the clash - a Port home game - from the couch, as it will be broadcast on free-to-air television against the gate.

Crows coach Neil Craig and his Power counterpart Mark Williams were both puzzled by the low sales, but neither was prepared to point the finger at their own supporters.

"If they've committed their finance for the year to the Adelaide footy club for home games, and can't afford it, I certainly understand that," Craig said.

"It's not our responsibility to fill the stadium if it's not our home game."

Williams, whose side has made an impressive 2-0 start, said fans staying at home would regret it.

"I've really gone past worrying about it, the fact is that if you put together two great teams in good form and a brilliant day, I know it's school holidays, but if the crowd doesn't want to come it doesn't want to come," he said.

"We're going to be prepared to put on an exciting game, and on Monday they'll be disappointed they missed out on a great event and they'll look forward to next time and book in."

The crowd for Sunday's Sydney-Brisbane Lions clash at the SCG might also be down by 10,000 because of the ground's redevelopment.

A Swans spokesman said a crowd of 25,000 was expected.

Crowds of over 60,000 are expected at the MCG on Friday (Collingwood-Richmond) and Saturday (Carlton-Essendon).

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