After 24 weeks of home-and-away football, the AFL finals have finally arrived. For the first time since 1995 all games this week will be played in Melbourne, with two genuine rivalries to play out.

Geelong v Hawthorn (Friday, 7.45pm, MCG)

This game shapes as the major piece of the first week of the finals puzzle. Both teams are primed to continue their fantastic rivalry over the past few decades. You would probably back the winner of this game to play off, and perhaps even take an advantage, in the grand final. They are likely to have the easier preliminary final and be brimming with confidence from a qualifying final win. The loser, on the other hand, will have to go through Collingwood to get to the grand final.

The teams met twice this year and both times Geelong triumphed. In fact, the Hawks haven't beaten the Cats since their grand final win in 2008. Going into the game neither side has any real injury concerns, and both are coming off wins - Geelong's a destruction of the premiership favourite, and Hawthorn's a victory at the Gold Coast despite resting eight of their stars. How much will the psychological and physical effects of those results impact this game?

TAB Odds: Geelong $1.77, Hawthorn $2.06

BPL Prediction: It's hard to go past Geelong, having done such an incredible job against Collingwood on Friday night. The Hawks' playmakers will be well rested, but they've struggled to beat the Cats for the past three years. We're in store for a cracker. Geelong by 15 points.

Could these two teams have had more diametrically opposed preparations? Few expected Collingwood's defeat on Friday night, and even of those how many would have thought the loss would have been so emphatic? West Coast, on the other hand, looked nearly invincible against Adelaide.

The teams last met back in round 10, with the Pies defeating the Eagles by 52 points. Dale Thomas was the standout of that game with 29 possessions and two goals, but crucially will miss this week through suspension.

Chris Tarrant sustained an ankle injury during Friday night's game and will be closely monitored throughout the week, as will captain Nick Maxwell. Despite playing in a mock game at training on Friday, Maxwell didn't even bother testing his troublesome right-hand which will worry Pies fans. Collingwood will, however, welcome back Heath Shaw after his eight-week betting-related suspension, though his ability to play an entire match at a finals intensity will be in question.

West Coast, on the other hand, have a much shorter injury list and look likely to welcome back powerhouse midfielders Matt Rosa and Daniel Kerr.

TAB Odds: Collingwood $1.22, West Coast $4.22

BPL Prediction: How much will Collingwood's loss play on their minds? And will it give West Coast a huge confidence boost, believing that the reigning premiers are now mortal? Have the Eagles come far enough this year to go toe-to-toe with the Magpies? Their improvement cannot be doubted, but the Magpies have been so good for so long, they'll still be short-priced favourites. Collingwood by 35 points.

St Kilda v Sydney (Saturday, 7.45pm, Etihad Stadium)

When the Saints met the Swans in Sydney three weeks ago, the home team triumphed in what was a very disappointing effort from last year's runner up. Shane Mumford and Adam Goodes dominated that game as a recovering Ben McEvoy struggled in the ruck and the whole St Kilda team was beaten at the stoppages.

The tables just might have turned in that time, though - the Saints have convincingly defeated North Melbourne as well as Carlton and this game will be played at their Docklands fortress. The Saints haven't lost a Saturday night game at the ground in more than seven years.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt couldn't get his hands on the ball this week and his knee seemed to worry him on a number of occasions. While Stephen Milne stood up this week, he may nervously wait on a Match Review Panel citation that could keep him out of the game. The Swans don't have any similar concerns after their win over Brisbane.

TAB Odds: St Kilda $1.69, Sydney $2.63

Prediction: This is also a toss up. The Saints love it at Docklands and will be very glad they don't have to make the trip north. Both teams play such tight football that a low-scoring arm wrestle to the end seems inevitable. As it did last month, the result will all come down to who can get first use of the ball - and use it most effectively. St Kilda by 10 points.

Carlton v Essendon (Sunday, 2.40pm, MCG)

Could the AFL have scripted a better game if it tried? One of the game's oldest rivalries will be on display on Sunday afternoon, and the league will be privately hoping the match attracts a crowd of 85,000 or more. Adding to the atmosphere will be the excitement of Essendon fans looking for a win after the return of prodigal son James Hird this year, and the desperation of Carlton not to replicate their first-week finals exit of the past two years.

While Carlton seemed resigned to a loss late in the third quarter on Saturday night, in fairness they didn't have all that much to play for, given their position had been locked away. The loss of Michael Jamison and Michael Carazzo before the game set them back and will concern them, though both should play against the Dons. The same can't be said of Matthew Kreuzer though, with the No.1 draft pick apparently suffering terribly from a numb foot during the warm up, and ultimately being replaced before half time. Given the big ruckman was taken to hospital, he must be at long odds to start in this game.

The Bombers are coming off a bye which, given how much teams have struggled from that position all year, will be a source of anxiety.

TAB Odds: Carlton $1.47, Essendon $2.69

Prediction: It's hard to ignore Carlton's superior form line this year. Their 74-point win over the Bombers in round 18 will loom large, while the impact of the loss of Kreuzer may well offset any post-bye fatigue for the Bombers. Carlton by 25 points.