Tigers, Crows won't believe the hype ahead of grand final

It's been inescapable this week, spreading from the streets of Melbourne to every corner of the country and beyond — the buzz around Richmond has been all-encompassing.

Much like the Bulldogs last year, the Tigers have dominated the pre-game talk and will load the MCG with yellow and black. It's a quirk of our Victorian-focused game that the best team in the league this season is almost billed as the support act to the main thing.

It's a phenomenon that creates a certain set of problems for both teams — the pressure that comes with the hype could be overwhelming for Richmond, while Adelaide could be forgiven for feeling like the entire country is against it.

But, speaking on the eve of the biggest game of their lives, both teams believe they are ready to embrace the unique challenge.

"From within our four walls, this week has felt very normal," Richmond captain Trent Cotchin said.

"Today will be a little bit different with regards to the parade and so forth, but we're just looking forward to accepting what's out there.

"There's a lot of hype, a lot of talk, a lot of excitement — which, you know, that's the beauty of our game, it brings a lot of people together and we love that and we celebrate that.

"But as soon as that finishes, we will be ready to settle in and get ready for a game tomorrow."

Despite the Tiger inundation at Friday's open training and parade, Crows coach Don Pyke is confident the ledger will be more balanced come bouncedown on Saturday.

"From a crowd viewpoint, it is clear we will have a fair amount of crowd support ourselves," Pyke said.

"There is nearly 20,000 Crows members coming over, plus others. I expect a typical grand final crowd, which will be less one-sided than maybe Richmond have had in the two finals to date.

"We have had it the other way at our ground."

Grand final rookies not content with rapid improvement

Both the Crows and Tigers have been significant improvers in 2017, ending the run of familiar grand finals over the past decade — since 2005, this is only the second decider not to include one of Hawthorn, Geelong or Sydney.

It sets up a fascinating contest as two grand final newcomers tread uncharted territory together, with neither even remotely satisfied with just being there on the big day.

"I don't think anyone's saying we're just happy to be here and be a part of it," Cotchin said.

"We've spent a long time — and I'm not just talking this year — preparing for this day and that's the opportunity we get tomorrow."

With the minor premiership in the bag, Pyke's Crows have the opportunity to complete a wonderful season, but the coach wants to keep things simple.

"At the end of the day, the result will be the result tomorrow. You know, our guys — like the Richmond guys — both sides clearly will want to win," he said.

"It comes down to — for mine in big games and finals — it comes down to a number of things, and I won't go into those now, but they're things we talk about as a group and we've spoken about previously.

"So we go in understanding we think our best is capable [of winning]. It's important that we bring that."

 

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www.abc.net.au