AFL grand final: Live coverage of the day before the decider as Fremantle Dockers complete final preparations

Luke Ryan is riding alongside Brennan Cox - and Cox’s son Arlo - after the defender’s heartbreaking news at selection yesterday.

“It’s pretty cool that I get to do it (be in the grand final parade) with my best mate and his kid,” Ryan said.

“I feel for him. He’s my best mate.

“I’m pretty sad he’s not out there with me.

“But win, lose or draw, we’re still best mates, and I love sharing this experience with him.”

Ryan says Cox learnt of the decision with a bit of time to digest it before Thursday afternoon’s team announcement.

“I found out a couple of days ago. We drive each other to training every day still,” he said.

“I’ve just been around as much as possible. Stick our arms around him and support him.”

Isaiah Dudley talking about the advice he received from his uncle Eddie Betts, who played in a grand final with Adelaide in 2017:

“Enjoy the moment, soak it up, and when it comes to game day, just do my thing,” Dudley says.

Neale compares his less-than-ideal lead-in to last year’s calf battle and a foot issue from the year before: “I feel like I’m well-equipped to deal with it.”

Admits that for most of the week, he felt like the decision wasn’t going to go his way.

Rates Freo’s midfield: “The depth they’ve got through there now... it’s going to be a great battle.”

Says he’s feeling fresh and ready to go: “It’s probably the best I’ve felt body-wise going into a grand final... across the last four years.”

The ‘USA’ chant is following Mason Cox around.

He’s of course no stranger to this environment, having played in grand finals in 2018 and 2023 with Collingwood.

He nods and claps as the chant rings out, while sitting alongside Oscar McDonald.

Hayden Young’s dad and Josh Treacy’s dad are hanging out together watching the grand final parade. How good?!

“Pumped. Ready to go,” Young’s dad says.

When asked what he’s most excited about, he says: “Actually seing my boy in the back of a ute. I’ve lived here in Melbourne all my life, and now I actually get to see my son in the back of a ute in the grand final parade. That’s what it’s all about.”

Treacy’s dad: “It’s just good for all the Freo fans who have travelled and the history that’s going to be created tomorrow.”

Pat Voss: “I don’t think it has fully sunk in... we’ve got a job to do.”

When asked if he’ll have a negating role on Brisbane skipper Harris Andrews tomorrow: “If I did, I wouldn’t tell you. We’ll keep that one close to our chest.”

The retiring Sam Switkowski is another who seems cool as a cucumber as he gets a huge reception from Freo fans.

“It’s been a crazy week already. I couldn’t ask for any more. It’s pretty cool to be a part of it,” he says.

“It’s not fully sunk in yet. To see the amount of fans we’ve got here today, and all week, supporting us has been awesome.

“I’m just super grateful to have the opportunity to be out there tomorrow. The nerves are actually pretty good. I’m just super excited to give it everything.”

Josh Treacy and Pat Voss are in one ute that’s packed with some serious forward-line power.

Shai Bolton and Michael Frederick are giving waves and thumbs-ups to the considerable crowd, which is definitely mostly purple.

Andrew Brayshaw says he’s got plenty of friends and family along the parade route, but he’s relaxed and calm ahead of the biggest game of his life.

The lengthy press conference is done, and the players and coaches are filling up the utes and ready to ride along the parade route!

Punters will have the chance to be right up close with their heroes, with a super-narrow parade route for the most part.

One of the big questions with Melbourne’s impending wet weather for Saturday is around whether Freo could make a late change - particularly with the towering Mason Cox.

But Justin Longmuir insists the Dockers will go in as named, and won’t be entertaining any late switches.

“They’re aware of the conditions tomorrow, and we’ll have to adjust to certain things... but no late changes,” Longmuir says.