THE Western Bulldogs have requested to play any potential home finals at Mission Whitten Oval, rather than Ikon Park.

The Dogs are cognisant that Ikon Park may be preferred by the AFL, but are now operating with a fully renovated precinct, which attracted a crowd of 4,327 last weekend, the largest AFLW attendance at the venue since 2020's Pride Round.

If Geelong finishes first, second, fifth or sixth, it will be unable to host a qualifying/elimination final at GMHBA Stadium, as it is booked out with the AUSX Open for Supercross.

It's understood the Cats are yet to have in-depth discussions with the AFL about alternate venues, given the chance of finishing third or fourth (and travelling for a qualifying final) remains firmly on the table, but will ramp up discussions in the next week if needed.

An international cricket T20 match between Australia and England is booked in at People First Stadium on November 24, which disrupts Gold Coast's potential plans to host anything beyond the first week of finals.

While like the Cats, there is still plenty of water to go under the bridge when it comes to finishing position on the ladder, the Suns are considering potential options on the coast, including Southport and Bond University. The Queensland heat during the day in November comes into that conversation, with lighting at night then also an issue.

Back in August, the AFL confirmed in a statement that in the case Gold Coast hosted a Grand Final, it would be at Brighton Homes Arena, Brisbane's training base and home ground.

Speaking earlier this week, Telstra AFLW Rising Star nominee Ava Usher said the Suns have no issue playing at the Lions' base, especially considering they won the QClash on that ground a few weeks ago.

As in previous years, North Melbourne has requested to play its home finals at Ikon Park, given its larger capacity which enables more fans to attend, but remain committed to its Arden Street base during the home and away season.

Melbourne's preference is also Ikon Park, given it already plays its night games there (and day games at Casey Fields), while Carlton will obviously stick to its home ground.

Sydney will stay with Henson Park in the event it hosts a final, with the AFL having already confirmed it will install broadcast lights if a Grand Final is held there.

Hawthorn is clinging onto eighth spot, and is unlikely to finish in sixth to claim hosting rights, but has previously played its finals at Ikon Park, while Fremantle and Adelaide are even more unlikely to qualify for a home final.

Factors that are considered when deciding upon finals venues include capacity, broadcast quality lighting (250 lux) for night finals, and in the case of 3-4 finals over a weekend in Melbourne, a possible spread of venues for greater scheduling flexibility.

The higher-ranked team in each finals match earns hosting rights, with teams re-ranked after the first week of finals.

Club-preferred home finals locations (yet to be finalised by the AFL):

North Melbourne, Melbourne, Carlton – Ikon Park
Geelong – GMHBA Stadium (unavailable for qualifying/elimination finals), TBC other venue
Gold Coast – People First Stadium (available for qualifying/elimination finals, unavailable for all other weeks), TBC other venue
Western Bulldogs – Mission Whitten Oval
Sydney – Henson Park

Grand Final locations (locked in):

North Melbourne, Melbourne, Carlton, Western Bulldogs – Ikon Park
Geelong – GMHBA Stadium
Gold Coast – Brighton Homes Arena
Sydney – Henson Park, with broadcast lighting to be installed to facilitate the night Grand Final