Why Fremantle combines pressure with underrated class up forward. Its midfield options are plentiful and, despite perception, it can score quickly. Only doubts are big game nerves, Buddy and injuries. Aaron Sandilands is a huge factor.
First goal Luke Breust
Norm Smith Nathan Fyfe
What you will see An MCG crowd chanting Freo like it is at a soccer stadium
What you won't see The Hill brothers fighting on the members wing before the first bounce
Hunters & Collectors should sing If not The Slab then Gogol Bordello's Start Wearing Purple must get a run.
Mark Macgugan Hawthorn by 34 points
Why The Hawks overcame the most difficult fixture in the League to compile a 19-3 home and away season record, stamping themselves as the competition's best team. Having then gotten over the mental hurdle posed by Geelong last week, they will play with freedom in the premiership decider and should prove unstoppable.
First goal David Hale
Norm Smith Ben Stratton
What you will see Grown men crying after the final siren.
What you won't see Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli all having a second quiet game in a row.
Hunters & Collectors should sing Holy Grail
Michael Whiting Hawthorn by 13 points
Why The Hawks will create plenty of chances to score despite Fremantle's pressure, and unlike last year, will take them. Experience will get them home.
First goal Jarryd Roughead
Norm Smith Luke Hodge
What you will see Cyril Rioli remind us all why he's the best small forward in the game
What you won't see A blowout
Hunters & Collectors should sing I Would Do Anything For Love (an ode to Meatloaf)
Hunters and Collectors can draw on a long song list ... or maybe do a Meatloaf cover. Picture: AFL Media
Ben Collins Fremantle by 23 points
Why Greater midfield depth and speed, unprecedented defensive pressure and their unfazed "anywhere, any time" mantra.
First goal Hayden Ballantyne
Norm Smith David Mundy
What you will see Players from both teams disregarding the double-penalty policy on tribunal offences.
What you won't see Hawks playmakers Sam Mitchell and Grant Birchall doing as they please. A desperate, disciplined Docker will be assigned to each, and prove tough to shake.
Hunters & Collectors should sing their 1990 hit Blind Eye, and hope the umpires turn one to some of the rough-'n-tumble.
James Dampney Hawthorn by 21 points
Why Following last year's heartbreak, Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and the rest of the Hawks' game-breakers won't let it happen again.
First goal David Hale
Norm Smith Jarryd Roughead
What you will see A bloodied, bandaged and beaming Hodge holding up the Premiership Cup.
What you won't see A smirking Ryan Crowley accusing any Hawks of ducking their heads.
Hunters & Collectors should sing I Would Do Anything For Love (but I won't do that)
Nick Bowen Hawthorn by 10 points
Why Hawthorn has the foot skills to withstand Freo's manic pressure. The Hawks have also been hardened by their near misses in the past two final series and won't let this one slip.
First goal Hayden Ballantyne
Norm Smith Jordan Lewis
What you will see Ryan Crowley wear former Hawks skipper Sam Mitchell closer than a lycra 'onesie'
What you won't see Alastair Clarkson and Jeff Kennett walking around the MCG arm in arm with the premiership cup
Hunters & Collectors should sing Bound for Glory (with guest appearances from Angry Anderson and the Batmobile)
Nick Bowen thinks this scene of domestic bliss will never be repeated. Picture: AFL Media
Harry Thring Fremantle by 14 points
Why Ordinary weather will give the Dockers an advantage at the contest, skipper Matthew Pavlich will drag his boys over the line, great small forwards in Ballantyne, Neale and Walters.
First goal Zac Clarke
Norm Smith Nathan Fyfe
What you will see Michael Walters kick a bag .
What you won't see Ryan Crowley clapped off by Hawthorn players in a showing of professional admiration.
Hunters & Collectors should sing Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta by the Geto Boys
Ashley Browne Hawthorn by 16 points
Why The Hawks have been the best team all year. They're playing at home, they're fresh, they bat deeper, they are motivated and they have the skill and experience to withstand the fearsome Freo press.
First goal Chris Mayne
Norm Smith Grant Birchall
What you will see A report
What you won't see Hayden Ballantyne getting under the skin of the Hawks.
Hunters & Collectors should sing I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
Alex Malcolm Hawthorn by six points
Why Hawthorn's experience and firepower. The Hawks will create enough opportunities to win the game, and the ghosts of 2012 will be enough to ensure that they take them.
First goal Jack Gunston
Norm Smith Cyril Rioli
What you will see Ryan Crowley and Jordan Lewis face to face with a fist full of each others jumper at one stage.
What you won't see The Dockers take a backward step. If the Hawks are slightly off in any way the Dockers will make them pay.
Hunters & Collectors should sing True Tears of Joy and Say Goodbye
There is little chance Ryan Crowley will sneak through the Grand Final unnoticed. Picture: AFL Media
Matt Thompson Hawthorn by nine points
Why They've been the best team all year, as long as they kick straight, they'll be right
First goal Lance Franklin
Norm Smith Luke Hodge
What you will see Lance Franklin in a Hawks jumper for the last time
What you won't see A draw, it just won't, can't happen, surely isn't possible!
Hunters & Collectors should sing Holy Grail, best song of all time!
Callum Twomey Hawthorn by 23 points
Why Too strong in attack and will be hungry after last year
First goal Jack Gunston
Norm Smith Luke Hodge
What you will see Buddy miss an early set shot
What you won't see Fremantle give in
Hunters & Collectors should sing Holy Grail. Has anyone thought of that?
Ben Guthrie Fremantle by 31 points
Why Fremantle's phenomenal pressure and the club's talented midfield crop will combine to create more heartache for the Hawks.
First goal Jarryd Roughead
Norm Smith Matthew Pavlich
What you will see Matthew Pavlich to kick six goals and confirm himself as one of the modern day great players.
What you won't see Luke Hodge stationing himself in a paddock across half-back. Ross Lyon and the Dockers will not allow it to happen.
Hunters & Collectors should sing Aqua's Barbie Girl. Would go down as one of the greatest half-time show's ever.
Luke Hodge can't expect a free reign over the half-back line in the Grand Final. Picture: AFL Media
Jacqui Reed Hawthorn by 35 points
Why Clearly the best side this year, and if it is Buddy's last game for the Hawks, he will go out with a blinder.
First goal Jarryd Roughead
Norm Smith Jordan Lewis
What you will see A melee, with Ryan Crowley and Hayden Ballantyne at the bottom of the pack
What you won't see Sunny skies apparently! The weatherman hasn't been kind
Hunters and Collectors should sing Whatever they want. Legends.
Nathan Schmook Fremantle by 12 points
Why The skipper's form, the centre square combination, the Dockers' manic pressure and Ross Lyon's nous
First goal Chris Mayne
Norm Smith Matthew Pavlich
What you will see A Hawthorn tagger also doing his job
What you won't see Fremantle players overawed by the occasion
Hunters & Collectors should sing Their own take on the Fremantle club song
Jennifer Phelan Fremantle by 15 points.
Why The Dockers' pressure will shut down the Hawthorn attack, Aaron Sandilands will dominate and their stifling defensive system will stand up. It's wharfie time.
First goal Cyril Rioli.
Norm Smith Nat Fyfe.
What you will see Fremantle kick less than 100 points.
What you won't see Meatloaf.
Hunters & Collectors should sing Bat out of Hell.
Adam McNicol Hawthorn by 10 points
Why Finals experience will overcome Freo's tenacity
First goal Michael Walters
Norm Smith (Adam is unable to nominate a player as he is a member of the Norm Smith Voting Panel)
What you will see All 36 players crowded around the ball on numerous occasions
What you won't see Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell failing to ensure the ball reaches the Freo player on the full if the Dockers are awarded a free kick in his vicinity (you may recall the crucial 50m penalty he gave away in such circumstances in last year's Grand Final)
Hunters & Collectors should sing Song of the Volga Boatmen (the Russian shanty that inspired Fremantle's theme song)
Song of the Volga Boatmen? Or Long Way to the Top maybe? Image: AFL Media
