GWS stunned the Collingwood Magpies in a four-point preliminary final thriller on Saturday to advance to their maiden AFL grand final.

Almost 100,000 people will fill Melbourne Cricket Ground for the decider and millions more will watch on television when GWS battle the Richmond Tigers for the premiership flag.

The Giants will pack hundreds of fans into buses leaving from Sydney and Canberra to help boost the club's support in the AFL heartland.

Buses will leave Canberra on Friday night to arrive in Melbourne on Saturday morning, with Giants members to receive information early this week.

Giants Chief Operating Officer James Avery anticipates there'll be a strong number of Canberran supporters on the buses to Melbourne.

"Canberra has been one of the cornerstones of the growth of the club since day one," Avery said.

"Our supporters in Canberra have played a vital role in getting the club where it is today, they're an extremely important part of our final this week.

"We're just looking forward to having as many supporters as possible to be there with us and cheer us on at the MCG, on what will hopefully be a historic day for the club and the code."

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

It's a boost for the capital almost a decade after the ACT government signed a $23 million, 10-year deal to have the Giants make Canberra their second home.

The Giants play three premiership games per season at Manuka Oval and have built a solid supporter base in the capital.

Nearly a quarter of Giants membership holders live in Canberra with more than 6000 packages sold in the ACT this year.

"The support from the community, corporate Canberra, sponsorship and the Government continues to grow each year and it's at the point now where it's such a big part of the club," Avery said,

"That's why we're hoping as many people come to Melbourne and be part of the grand final with us."

GWS will hold a grand final lunch at the National Arboretum on Tuesday, while Public Bar in Manuka will host events throughout the week.

The Giants are also investigating a number of initiatives to ensure there's a "strong flavour of orange" throughout the city.

"There's a whole range of activities and initiatives we're considering in terms of how to engage our Canberra supporters and ensure the public are part of the Giants' experience being in a grand final this week," Avery said.

"There is a lot going on in Canberra this week across both codes which is really exciting for the people of Canberra."

Meanwhile the ACT Government is looking to paint the town green ahead of the Raiders' preliminary final clash with the Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium on Friday.

Lights on bridges, the Black Mountain Tower, tram stops and potentially the Carillon will turn green as the capital prepares to host one of the biggest matches Canberra Stadium has ever seen.

AFL GRAND FINAL

Saturday: GWS Giants v Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, 2.30pm