It may be an AFL Grand Final unlike any we've seen before, but for brothers Bill and Peter Walker it's another notch in a 53-year-long sibling rivalry.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bill and Peter are hardcore Geelong and Richmond fans, respectively since the 1960s.
With the Cats and Tigers ready to butt heads this weekend for the first time in the big game since 1967, the pair could not be more excited, and nervous, for the match.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Bill said the two would shake hands on Wednesday before heading their separate ways to watch the Grand Final.
"We probably won't talk for a month, because one of us is going to be really disappointed and one of us is going to be really happy," he said.
Their father took Bill to the VFL Grand Final in 1967 - this was where both their fandoms started.
"My father told me during the week that I might be going to the Grand Final," Bill said.
"He sent me to bed early on the Friday night, then I'm up on a plane ... at Essendon Airport ... tram into town ... staying at the Windsor Hotel then off to MCG [with] 111,000 people."
While the Cats would lose 16.18 (114) - 15.15 (105), Bill had some fond memories of the game including the play of Geelong hall of famer, ruckman Polly Farmer.
But it was the fourth quarter, last minute leaping mark of legend by Tasmania's own Royce Hart that would stick in Bill's mind for life.
"[I] Just [felt] great sadness, the mark he took still haunts me ... If you look at it, he was in front - he's pushed off the guy and he's two metres in the air," he said.
Peter, on the other hand, will be watching the game from the comfort of his Tigers man cave at Trevallyn.
"I wasn't going for Richmond in 67, Bill went to the game and I started following Richmond afterwards," Peter said.
"Bill tried to brainwash me to be a Geelong supporter and that lasted two weeks, then I switched and after 37 years I haven't regretted it."
The pair have had their fair share of brotherly banter since becoming fans, with Bill going as far as sending Peter a wooden spoon from each state and territory in 2004 when the Tigers finished last.
"Same spoon, same envelope - nine of the them ... [it was] very hard to organise but we got it done," he said.
Peter said while Richmond hadn't played their best brand of footy this season, he liked their chances.
"Hopefully we'll see the best of them this Saturday," he said.
"I'm just a supporter but I'm not as bad as my brother, he's a real crazy supporter.
"I was quite calm till Bill came and started working me up, but I'm feeling good and I think Richmond will win.
"I don't think they've played well this year [thought] ... there's a lot of hype about Geelong, I just think we can win ... I believe."
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: