THERE will be plenty of noise in homes and venues across the Southern Grampians Shire tomorrow as the Collingwood Magpies take on the Brisbane Lions in the AFL Grand Final at 2.30pm.
With a lot of recent history between the competing sides after the Lions knocked off the Pies in both the 2002 and 2003 deciders, the Pies will be out for revenge.
Hamilton local and Pies supporter, Nick Lloyd, said it took him 15 minutes last Sunday morning, but he managed to get tickets to the first level of the AFL Members Reserve.
“This week is pure excitement knowing we are in with a chance to taste the ultimate success but match day the nerves will be on high octane and obviously I’ve been thinking about the game and what may happen a lot,” he said.
“I will be basing myself in Geelong from Thursday night through to Sunday morning with my partner and we will head up to look at the parade Friday.
“Then on Saturday I will take a walk around the outside of the ground and take in all the fanfare that is happening before heading to my seat just before KISS (pre-game entertainment) take the stage.
“I think with Brisbane’s recent streak of six wins against us mostly at the Gabba (four wins at the Gabba and two at Marvel Stadium), I think they are the logical choice but Collingwood have played their best football during the day only losing narrowly to Melbourne, and being at the MCG the team has won 13 games which will help compared to the Lions who lost their only day game there to the Hawks – so Pies to win with Tom Mitchell to win the Norm Smith.”
Harrow local and former Lions player, Michael Close (who kicked 24 goals in his 27 game career between 2014-17), said he still feels like he’s part of the Lions and is excited by their current success, especially after being mostly down the bottom end of the ladder when he was playing.
“I still have quite a few good mates playing at the Lions and coaching and I try to get up there once a year, so I definitely still have a connection to the club,” he said.
“I am heading to the game and I feel alright now but when I am amongst it all and watching them play, I am sure I will get a little nervous.”
Several of Michael’s former Lions teammates from his time at the club are playing in the grand final, including Dayne Zorko, Hugh McCluggage, Eric Hipwood, Jarrod Berry, Oscar McInerney and Ryan Lester.
Interestingly, former three-time Lions premiership player and current Collingwood coach, Craig McRae, is set to line up against his old side tomorrow.
People can view the game at multiple Hamilton venues that will show it live, with the atmosphere sure to be electric.
