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• How did the Hawks and Eagles build their lists?
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THE NERVES are yet to kick in for Grand Final debutant Brad Sheppard but he's expecting they will hit him on Saturday morning.

The West Coast defender said he was trying to play down the significance of his first Grand Final but knew the nervous tension would only continue to build as the game drew closer.

"Seeing the big crowd here today and the big crowd too on Monday at the open training session, it makes it a bit more realistic, what you’re playing in," he said.

“I’ll be quite nervous tomorrow."

• Grand Final preview: Hawthorn v West Coast

Sheppard has been reliable all season for the Eagles, often going up against much larger opponents and shutting them out of the game.

West Coast finished fourth for points conceded after the home-and-away season, but only let through 24 more points than Hawthorn, which was the stingiest team.

Sheppard's ability to play a role despite being outsized has been particularly critical, with 2014 best-and-fairest Eric Mackenzie and fellow key defender Mitch Brown playing just one game between them this year.

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West Coast will have a light session on the MCG after the parade. They only played one game at the home of football this season, on a Friday night against Richmond in round 12.

The Eagles scored a 20-point win that night to show the MCG holds no fears for them.

Sheppard was looking forward to reacquainting himself with the 'G ahead of the biggest game of his life.

“It’ll be good to get out there and get familiar with the ground… and see which boots you’re going to wear tomorrow," he said.