WITH thousands expected to descend on Mildura Sporting Precinct for the SFNL grand final this weekend, police are encouraging people to enjoy the festivities, but to do so safely.

The Last Quarter police operation kicked off on Thursday, with patrols brought in from Melbourne to work alongside local police for the extended weekend.

Mildura acting Inspector Daron Hulls said in the past crowds had been well-behaved across the weekend of festivities, and police wanted to keep it that way.

"We'll be focusing on drivers who engage in high risk behaviour," Insp Hulls said.

"That's impaired driving whether drugs or alcohol, distracted drivers, using phones while driving or high speed.

"The objective is to keep people safe on our roads and to minimise serious injury collisions."

He said the focus of the operation was to make sure everyone returned home without incident.

"Our community has a really good attitude towards these events.

"We just want to make sure the community go to these events and enjoy them but plan ahead, so if they're going to have a few drinks, that they organise a designated driver or get a taxi.

"And then if they attend an event afterwards, that they get home safely, and we will do what we need to ensure that happens."

Aside from additional patrols covering local roads, there will also be a police presence at the sporting precinct, with foot patrols throughout the day.

"We look at behaviour but its also reassurance for those attending, because sometimes things happen when there's a large crowd, for example, children get lost, so police are there to assist with that too," Insp Hulls said.

The operation will come to an end at 7am on Monday.