• Last time they met: Hawthorn v West Coast
• What you need to know for the Grand Final
• Grand Final preview: Hawthorn v West Coast

THE NEW Grand Final parade route has proved a stunning success, with tens of thousands of football fans lining Melbourne's streets to cheer on their heroes.

For the first time the parade started at the Old Treasury Building before winding through Yarra Park and ending at the MCG, where a huge crowd gathered to greet the Grand Final teams, Hawthorn and West Coast.

Melbourne's stunning and warm weather proved the perfect backdrop to the revised parade location through the city, with thousands of West Coast supporters travelling from Western Australia for Saturday's premiership decider.

Despite their run of success – this is Hawthorn's fourth consecutive appearance in the Grand Final – Hawks fans were not outnumbered, represented strongly on Victoria's new public holiday. 

For some players the experience of a Grand Final parade was new. Eagles forward Jack Darling said the rest of the week had been relatively normal in Perth, and arriving in Melbourne last night had reminded him he was about to play the biggest game of his life.  

"Now that we're in Melbourne it feels like my nerves are settling a bit, and it feels like it's just another game. It's the biggest stage, so it's exciting," Darling said.

It was Jordan Lewis' fifth Grand Final Parade, his first coming back in 2008 when the Hawks trumped Geelong in a shock flag victory.

Thousands line the parade's new route to the MCG. Picture: AFL Media 

The star midfielder said the Hawks tried to keep the same routine this week as any Grand Final before it, but that the parade was the moment when players had to enjoy the moment and spotlight. 

"It’s not until now that you start to change your routine a bit. You've got to soak it up. It's what we're used to, so we have to take it in our stride," Lewis said.

As the clubs piled into their cars ahead of the parade getting underway, Lewis was in the back of the Hilux with Eagles midfielder Xavier Ellis across from him.

The pair shared the 2008 premiership as Hawks, with Ellis one of the best players on the ground with 28 disposals, but the valuable Eagle said the banter will be left until game day.

Shannon Hurn and Luke Hodge hold the premiership cup aloft for the crowd. Picture: AFL Media

"They're my mates, but we'll put that aside for tomorrow. Win, lose or draw I'm sure there'll be text messages either way," Ellis said.

"They're the champions, so it's an exciting opportunity for the underdogs."

Every Parade attracts plenty of media coverage, with reporters from Western Australia and Melbourne converging at the start of the Parade to get the final thoughts of the players.

Most attention focused on Hawks forward Jack Gunston, who has returned from injury, and Billy Hartung, the unlucky player who made way for Gunston.

Hartung said he would prepare as if he was playing against the Eagles, and that he had to overcome the disappointment after being told on Thursday by coach Alastair Clarkson he would miss out.  

"It's disappointing to miss a Grand Final, but at the end of the day I'm still proud of my year," Hartung said.

"'Clarko' pulled me into his office. He told me yesterday I wasn't going to play and gave me a big hug. To come and experience Grand Final week is pretty special for me. I'm only 20 years old and there's plenty of years where we might make it again."

Eagle's spearhead Josh Kennedy savours the adulation on Friday. Picture: AFL Media