Excitement high ahead of tomorrow’s game

The former Fitzroy Lions and South Melbourne Swans have kept some supporter ties to Victoria.

Brisbane has a strong fan base continuing their love from the Fitzroy glory days, with characters like Noel ‘Kicker’ Wallace reminiscing on the times before the fateful merger in 1997.

“The AFL didn’t want us, and that was it,” he said.

“One thing I always say to Collingwood people: ‘you sent us to Brisbane, we beat you in two grand finals’.

“I come from Fitzroy, grew up in Fitzroy. We weren’t allowed on the other side of Smith St.

“(I became a fan when) I was only 16 or 17, so ever since. I never changed. You’re not allowed to change.”

While his son and grandson have made their way across from Western Australia to watch it at the G, he will be watching from home with his wife Marie, who is just as passionate.

“We’ll be sitting on the edge of our chairs all afternoon,” she said.

“We hope to be the winners, but we’ll take whatever comes.

“We had 2001, 2002 and 2003, three years running ... the guys who are coaching now, they were all in those sides. They’d know all about it.”

Mr and Mrs Wallace are confident that their Lions will go all the way on Saturday.

“Brisbane by about 12 points,” Mr Wallace said.

Also feeling confident is former Swans player and now fan, Guy Campbell, who is ready to see his team win on Saturday.

“I think it’s as good a chance as any other year that they’ve been involved, or back when I was involved, in 2005,” he said.

“Their recovery periods have been far greater than Brisbane’s. Two out of the four weeks instead of four out of the four weeks.

“But, Brisbane has been pretty good. Whoever can play the most out of the four quarters available.”

Mr Campbell played in the reserves grand final one week before the 2005 AFL grand final, but these days, he doesn’t mind watching his team from the sidelines.

“It’s far more relaxed this time,” he said.

“There’s a big group of us that played in a grand final the week before in the Sydney reserves, and we weren’t going to be available for the grand final, so it was pretty much party time the whole week leading up to it.”

Some of the players and coaches from Mr Campbell’s day have stepped into or are still in coaching roles for the current Swans iteration.

“Jarrad McVeigh, he’s an assistant coach now, we played together,” he said.

“There’s another assistant coach, Amon Buchanan.

“John Longmire, he was our coach.”

The Campbell family members will jump into their caravan and head off with some friends, tuning into the big game wherever they end up.

“There’ll be a big screen wherever we are,” he said.

Long-time Lions support Bev Bradshaw is making her way down to watch the game in person, while fellow fan Leanne Glover will be celebrating either way, as the grand final coincides with her birthday.

CFA area commander and Lions fan Luke Waterson reminds all grand final party hosts to check their gas canisters and their barbecues before celebrations begin on Saturday.

A screening of the decider will be on at Cunningham Downs, thanks to Bob Baker, with all invited to come along and join in on the festivities.

Saturday’s grand final between the Lions and Swans is set to begin at 2.30pm, with pre-game entertainment — including a performance from Katy Perry — kicking off just after 1pm.

Channel Seven and 7Plus will broadcast all proceedings live.

Plenty of local pubs and clubs will also host special events for grand final day.