Scheduled to play lower-ranked Collingwood at the MCG off a shorter break, the Western Bulldogs would be entitled to complain about the wildcard hand they have been dealt.
But star midfielder Ed Richards insists the Bulldogs aren't fazed and are ready for the do-or-die match - and confident spearhead Aaron Naughton will be ready to go.
The eighth-placed Bulldogs' usual home ground is Marvel Stadium, but Luke Beveridge's charges are required to play at the larger MCG - home ground of ninth-placed Collingwood - for the new-look final.
"There's been a bit of chat about that," Richards said on Monday.
"I love playing at the 'G, so I'm not too fussed.
"You've got to win finals at the 'G, so you've got to be able to play finals at the MCG and play well.
"We've been pretty good there this year, so hopefully we can continue some good form, play some good footy there on Friday."
Collingwood also gain an extra day's rest, having lost to Brisbane on Friday night before the Bulldogs beat Melbourne on Saturday.
"It's not a really crazy difference, so we're not going to be thinking about it too much," Richards said.
Naughton, who rolled his ankle late against Melbourne, wasn't involved in Monday's light session but Richards expected him to play.
Asked if an extra day would have helped, Richards said: "Yes. It would.
"There's not really much we can do about it, so I guess he's just going to have to deal with it.
"He's the ultimate professional, so he'll get himself up.
"Whether or not it's going to play a factor, I don't know, but hopefully it doesn't. Hopefully he's right and he kicks six."
Ruckman Tim English (knee) appears less likely but will push to play.
Richards said he and Marcus Bontempelli were ready for a "good battle" in midfield with Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey.
The 27-year-old conceded it felt like the Bulldogs hadn't really made the finals yet.
"I personally think that we haven't," Richards said.
"I would like to win this one and then really have that cemented final spot in an elimination (final).
"So just treating this one as I guess another week - round 25, if you would."
Those comments raised the eyebrows of AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon when they were brought up at his press conference a couple of hours later.
"I haven't heard those comments but I'm not sure the Bulldogs have played many home-and-away games in front of 90,000-plus (fans)," Dillon said.
"So he might have a different feeling after the game."
When asked if playing at Marvel was ever a consideration, Dillon said "No", noting all finals in Melbourne were played at the MCG.
On Monday night, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge returned fire at the AFL boss.
"It's a bit petty by the CEO, isn't it, to think a rebuttal is required," Beveridge told AFL360.
"I don't think he's having a go with the wildcard initiative, it's just his own way of looking at it.
"And obviously there's some sensitivities attached to it for the CEO to react like that."
