"MELBOURNE footy fans will experience a weekend without finals football for the first time since 1897.

This weekend's matches in Adelaide and Brisbane will force tens of thousands of Victorians to seek substitutes for their footy fix.

Netweork Ten bosses will be the big winners: they will own the right to televise both Interstate finals.

The Essendon V Fremantle and the Collingwood V Brisbane clashes proved to be a ratings bonanza, ranking as the two watched games of the season.

Members of the Red and Black army who do not make the trip to South Australia will be glued to the television on Saturday.

Melbourne-based Lions fans will watch Brisbane take on the Adelaide Crows at the Gabba.

Fitzroy fans who refuse to embrace Brisbane are expected to turn out in force to watch Amateur side Fitzroy Reds take on Penninsula Old Boys in a Grand Final at Central Reserve, Glan Waverley on Saturday.

Outgoing AFL boss, Wayne Jackson said no Melbourne fixture this weekend was a good thing.

'I guess that reflects the maturity of the national conpetition' he said.

Local football competitions also stand to cash in on the absence of AFL matches in Victoria, with big crowds expected at VFL Preliminary Finals at Port Melbourne this Saturday and Sunday.

Sandringham takes on Box Hill on Saturday in a game featuring many guns from AFL sides Melbourne and Hawthron.

Son Sunday, Collingwood fans can watch their stars of the future line up for Williamstown as it takes on Port Melbourne.

Peter Harley of Football Vicotoria said '...while there's no AFL footy, its going to be great for local football."

Footnote:
Fitzroy fans who also support the Brisbane Lions are also welcome to support the Fitzroy Reds.