The AFL will have to wait on the NRL before deciding whether a Sydney elimination final is played at ANZ Stadium or the SCG.

Either St Kilda or Sydney could host their clash and that is the only unconfirmed fixture for week one of the finals series.

The AFL has released the week-one finals schedule for September 9-11, with the Saints-Swans match locked in for Saturday night.

St Kilda are currently sixth and Sydney seventh on the ladder, but the Saints will start underdogs on Saturday night against Carlton.

Sydney will be favourites in Saturday's twilight match at the SCG against Brisbane.

If the Saints lose and the Swans win, then Sydney will host the final.

The AFL has confirmed it will not play a Sydney final at ANZ Stadium if there is an NRL match at the venue the night before.

"If the match is to be played in Sydney, the AFL will await the week one finals schedule of the NRL as the NRL has first rights on the use of ANZ Stadium," the AFL said in a statement.

"The AFL will use ANZ Stadium if there is no NRL final scheduled on (Friday night), or will use the SCG for this final if ANZ Stadium hosts an NRL final the night before the prospective AFL match."

If St Kilda maintain sixth spot, then Etihad Stadium will host the match, also on Saturday night.

Hawthorn will come off a six-day break when they open the AFL finals series against arch-rivals Geelong.

The Hawks and Cats will clash in the second qualifying final at the MCG on Friday night, six days after Hawthorn have an away match against Gold Coast.

Hawthorn suspected they would play on the Friday and this is one reason they made eight changes for the Suns match, resting many top players.

Collingwood will host West Coast at the MCG in the first qualifying final on Saturday afternoon.

Sunday afternoon will feature the blockbuster Carlton-Essendon elimination final at the MCG.

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