Geelong’s players have completed their final training session before
Saturday’s AFL grand final against Hawthorn in front of another big
crowd.
A crowd of about 8,000 fans, most decked out in blue and
white, watched their heroes go through a light training run in sunny
conditions at Skilled Stadium.
Club officials said Thursday’s
crowd was slightly smaller than this time last year, in the lead-up to
the club’s drought-breaking premiership win over Port Adelaide.
Half-forward
Paul Chapman trained in the third group to come out on to the ground,
and all of the players likely to be selected for Saturday took part.
Chapman’s
recovery from a hamstring injury means one of up to six players will
lose their spot in the side which won through to the grand final.
The
unlucky player could be any one of tall forward Tom Lonergan, small
forward Mathew Stokes, defender Harry Taylor, midfielder James Kelly
and half-back David Wojcinski.
Forward Travis Varcoe, having
been given a guarantee of playing on Saturday last week by coach Mark
Thompson, also trained despite reports this week that he was sore after
the preliminary final against the Western Bulldogs.
Vice-captain
Cameron Ling said the players did not know who would make way for
Chapman, and would find out the selected line-up this afternoon.
“We find out, as we always do, after the final training session, so that will be the same again,” Ling said.
The Cats and Hawks are expected to name their teams around 5pm (AEST).
The Geelong players appreciated another good turn-out in grand final week, as some waved to fans as they left the ground.
“It’s good to see the crowd, nice day and a bit of a run around today,” Ling said.
“We enjoy the atmosphere and taking in a little.
“But at the same time the mind’s well and truly on Saturday afternoon and getting the job done there.”
