It’s finally here — the AFL finals are set to kick off with a hotly anticipated clash not seen for 34 years set to get the pointy end of the season underway.

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The blockbuster clash has already got Melbourne buzzing with the two AFL powerhouses playing in an AFL final for the first time since 1989.

While it’s not a sudden death clash, it’s all-important with the winner to get a week off and a prelim at the MCG, while the loser will have a mountain to climb with a week two clash against the winner of Carlton and Sydney before playing the winner of the Lions and Port Adelaide on the road if they want to make the Grand Final.

7pm — Lightning concerns to play a part

The weather has chosen the worst possible time to get involved with the first final set to be a wet and wild affair.

But there are concerns that there will be lightning around Melbourne.

If this is the case, the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph confirmed that the AFL’s lightning rule would go into effect.

“If there is lightning within 10km of the MCG, then they will stop the game,” he said.

“They will stop it for a minimum of 20 minutes. And then, when it is safe to do so, when the lightning and thunder has passed by the area, they will restart the game.

“There is certainly no time limit in regards to when that game would be restarted, we can go as late as we need.”

But the rain is certainly coming down at the MCG.

However, there was lightning earlier in the day around 6pm, but it’s eased off and the first bounce should not be delayed.

6.40pm — Selection bombshell ‘devastating as it gets’

There’s still plenty of disbelief around about the Magpies’ call to drop defender John Noble in a stunning call for the all-important final.

The 26-year-old Noble had played 83 consecutive games for the club but was told he wouldn’t be selected for the qualifying final on Wednesday.

There were heartbreaking scenes with his teammates getting around him in a huddle after the news.

“That’s as devastating as it gets,” Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night.

“I certainly didn’t see this coming. John Noble, who’s played every game since he debuted, 83 in a row.”

But while they were brutal scenes, it also shows the strength of the minor premiers, who welcome back Nathan Murphy, Darcy Moore and Beau McCreery for the clash.

Speaking on Thursday, Magpies assistant Scott Selwood said it was a heartbreaking call.

“It was extremely tough,” Selwood said.

“He’s been such an integral part of not just what we’ve done over this year but the past three or four years. It’s really disappointing for him but the way he took it was extremely well, he’s a really good teammate yesterday and today and supported the guys.

“It was extremely marginal between him and Oleg (Markov) and we’re confident in both of them and Oleg got the nod just on recent form.”

6pm — Wild scenes hours before AFL blockbuster

If you want to know how big this game is in Melbourne, the line up outside the MCG throughout the afternoon says absolutely everything you need to know.

The match has been hotly anticipated with 95,000 fans expected to file into the ground.

But the line up started early as members flocked to get their seats.

Note: the gates didn’t open for members until 4.30pm with the public gates opening at 5.30pm.

Fox Footy’s Drew Jones said there were “thousands” lined up outside the MCG at about 4pm.

While it’s not unexpected as Victoria loves its footy, they are incredible scenes showing just how hot a ticket the event is.

For the record, the Magpies come into the finals with its first minor premiership since 2011.

It’s a good omen for the side who finished minor premiers in 2010 as well, winning the flag, before finishing runner’s up in 2011.

But after losing three of their last five games leading into the finals, questions had started to be asked.

As for the Demons, seven wins from the last eight matches has Melbourne well primed for a tilt at the premiership.