Thousands of supporters from both clubs turned out on Friday for a glimpse of their respective captain's run sessions, which went off without a hitch.
It was the Dockers' fans who were loudest, with more than 20,000 filling their designated half of level one and voicing their support with repeated "Freeeeoooooo!" chants.
"We see it in Perth how strong they are and passionate on a week-to-week basis, but we see it across the country as well," Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick told AAP.
"We've got a particularly strong fan base here in Melbourne and it's not a surprise to us to hear them like we did.
"The number of them was just phenomenal and it feels like they're all ready to go tomorrow as well."
Many Fremantle fans forked out thousands of dollars to fly to Melbourne.
Some took the long route via Bali or Singapore, while others made the 3300km drive across the Nullarbor.
Dockers captain Alex Pearce was blown away by the support at Friday's grand final parade, which wound its way towards Yarra Park.
"It's been fantastic to see the amount of Freo fans that have turned up," Pearce said.
"We're not surprised, they've been with us all year and all through the finals series.
"To have them come all this way and support us today and tomorrow, it means the world to us, so thank you all."
Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale was jeered by some sections of the crowd on the parade route after his successful appeal against a one-match ban for striking.
Neale lost his initial tribunal hearing but was cleared to play against his former club in the grand final after a successful appeal against the decision.
The build-up has been full of distractions again for Neale, who battled injuries leading into the Lions' back-to-back flags over the past two seasons.
"These things tend to arise late in the year with injuries and this one's probably a bit different with suspension, but I feel like I'm well equipped to deal with it and perform tomorrow," Neale told Kayo Sports.
"You're never really sure how these things are going to go, but I'm very happy it's gone my way."
As Fremantle fans soaked up their first grand final appearance in 13 years, it was business as usual for Brisbane.
The Lions are chasing a historic three-peat, having booked a spot in a fourth-straight premiership decider.
Chris Fagan hammed it up with supporters, who have celebrated the Brisbane coach at every open training session since their appearance in the 2023 grand final.
Fagan had the crowd fixed on him as he playfully set out the cones for the captain's run.
When he walked off the ground, for what could be the final time at a MCG training session, the dual premiership coach had supporters chanting his name.
Fagan comfortably received the biggest reception of any at the club, including stars players such as two-time Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft.
Lions goals songs, which will be played on grand final day, got a good run on the MCG speakers.
But it was 'Country Roads', the anthem of the Gabba thanks to Charlie Cameron, that predictably had the biggest response.
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