Lions fans roar as Swans fly high at grand final parade

For AFL fans old and new, the grand final parade offers a final chance to catch a glimpse of their footy heroes and let out a bit of anxiety before their teams feature in Melbourne's biggest sporting spectacle.

Hundreds of thousands lined the city's streets to get up close and personal with Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions players, as they rode in the back of utes at the grand final parade on Friday morning.

For the first time in 18 years, two non-Victorian teams are contesting the premiership.

Ardent Swans fan Marg Semple has a long history with the team, dating back to when they were based in South Melbourne.

"My dad played reserve grade football with the club and I had twins in 2001 and named them Paul and Kelly, after the captain at the time," she told AAP.

"I think it's going to be a close game and I love the history of tomorrow's game, but I hope that the past history is reversed, and this one's a one point up."

Michelle Muir, who started supporting the Lions five years ago, and James Muir, a casual supporter for more than 30 years, travelled from Queensland hoping to catch their team lift the premiership cup.

"It was funny to hear some of the conversations with some of the people to the players and there was a good bit of banter going on," Mr Muir said of the parade.

Friday's event was a stark contrast to the 2022 parade, when players floated down the Yarra River in a boat.

"I'm much happier to be sitting in the car," Sydney forward Will Hayward told reporters on Friday.

"I get sea-sick, but it's good to be back how it's always been."

Lions forward Cam Rayner recalled last year's parade was almost a washout of Collingwood supporters outnumbering Lions fans.

"I remember last year there was a lot of Collingwood supporters that were pretty vocal, which is good. It's a good time though and I feel like this year you know what's coming," he said.

Swans fan Adam Parker travelled from the Mornington Peninsula with his wife and two daughters to catch the players before they face off for premiership glory at the MCG on Saturday.

"The kids got to see all the players up close and the atmosphere was really good," he said.

Melburnians Paul McLaughlin and his sister Sharon Phillips' support for the Lions run a little deeper, having followed the team for about half a century - back when they were the Fitzroy Bears.

"Mum's 85 or 86 and she used to take us and the cousins, so she's followed Fitzroy all her life and so did her parents," Ms Phillips said.

Mr McLaughlin's son Ryan and Ms Phillip's daughter Claire have continued the family tradition.

"When I was born, I wouldn't say forced, but I wanted to go down that road to Brisbane," Ryan said.

"So far it's worked out, which in the early stages it wasn't, but eventually the success came so I couldn't be happier."

There was a nervous energy among the family but the grand final eve parade offered them one outlet to release their anxieties.

"It gives crowd interaction with the players, and the footy players seem to respect and appreciate all the crowd turning up, so it's a bit of fun," Mr McLaughlin said.

Having two interstate teams compete in the grand final was a good outcome for tourism and economic activity, Victorian Sports Minister Steve Dimopoulos said.

He said Qantas and Virgin had added an extra 40 flights to bring fans from Brisbane and Sydney to Melbourne for the weekend.