Ross Lyon expects Grand Final to be hard but fair
Fremantle anticipates Crowley to get attention from protective Hawks
Much of the build-up to Saturday's clash has focused on Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley and what physical boundaries Hawthorn can push to protect the player he is assigned to.
Lyon said the game was harder and tougher than it had ever been, but modern players had great respect for each other and knew the boundaries.
"They're played in great spirit and I'd expect no different tomorrow," Lyon said at the Grand Final press conference following Friday's parade.
"We'll see blood rules, potential concussions, but it'll be delivered in a manner that's expected by the AFL and both clubs, I would imagine.
"The modern day players [have] respect for each other.
"It's more hard and tough than it ever was but there's certainly no thuggery in Grand Finals."
Lyon highlighted the offensive threat that Crowley possesses, pointing to his 22 possessions against the Swans last week and his ability to hit the scoreboard.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson simply said Crowley was "one of 22 guys for their side …we'll be mindful of the role he's trying to play, but also mindful of the other 21."
Lyon said Chris Mayne (sore back) and Luke McPharlin, who recently returned from a calf injury, were ready for Saturday's clash.
He said defender Michael Johnson, who also returned from a calf injury, had been more concerning this week but he would be "very, very surprised if he doesn't play".
With the hype surrounding the Dockers reaching fever pitch in Melbourne on Friday, Lyon said Fremantle worried about writing its own story in the club's first Grand Final.
"We're certainly under no illusions about how great a team Hawthorn's been all year," he said.
"That burn of a losing Grand Final year on year, going back-to-back – which I've done and experienced losing two – they'll be keen to avoid that.
"We're certainly focused. We understand we need to get into action and prepare.
"I'd be really disappointed if any players were seduced by the hype of a few tackles in a quarter."
Captain Matthew Pavlich said earning a week off ahead of a home preliminary final had been not only an ideal physical preparation, but a chance to get a handle on the team's new expectations.
"What we've seen is a lot of time waiting around and a lot of hype and external noise, both in Perth and Australia really," he said.
"That's given us a reasonable leg up because we've been able to focus on the job at hand.
"We certainly enjoyed the week and embraced it, but right now it's about how we prepare mentally.
"It's going to be red-hot and we're going to have to play our very best to get the job done."
Pavlich who will play in his first Grand Final after 290 games, said he appreciated the support that had been directed his way this week, but said "there's no place for sentiment in football".
"Just because someone deserves something it doesn't mean you're going to get it," he said.
"I think it's about reward for effort for our entire group."