Here we are - the final game of the year. As always, the intrigue and storylines abound ahead of the final Saturday in September, but what will decide the decider? This is What to Watch For in the 2019 AFL Grand Final.
Will Richmond's turnover game or GWS's stoppage style prevail?
Talk about a battle of opposites. Richmond generates 65.5 percent of their scores from turnovers (No.1 in the AFL) while GWS scores just 51 percent from this source (ranked 18th). Meanwhile the Giants generate 45 percent of their scores from clearances (No.1 in the league) while Richmond is at the other end of the scale, ranked 18th with just 31 percent from this source.
It's fair to say whoever gets the game on their terms will have one hand on the premiership cup.
These two clubs' previous clash offers an insight into how Saturday's clash could be won and lost, back in Round 17, when Richmond won by 27 points at the MCG.
On that mid-July afternoon Richmond completely neutralised GWS's strength, with the Giants scoring just 21 points from clearances - the fourth fewest in a game this season. That day, GWS scored from just 14 percent of their clearance wins, which is the second worst percentage in any game this season.
Meanwhile, Richmond scored from 26.5 percent of their clearances that day - their equal third best percentage in any game this season.
Same venue, same opponent, 10 weeks later - can the Tigers repeat the dose or can GWS ensure their 'one wood' is back to its best?
Lesser lights to have a huge say in matters
When the Grand Final features an abundance of genuine superstars, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking they will determine the outcome of the game.
But while Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Tom Lynch, Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron and Josh Kelly will obviously be important, it may just be some of the lesser known names who help their side to premiership glory.
The name which stands out for the Tigers is Kane Lambert. While he may not get Martin-like numbers, his value is enormous. You could almost call him Richmond's Toby Greene. In fact this year, he ranks third for score involvements per game for Richmond and is one of only four general forwards across the league who are rated elite for disposals, contested possessions and uncontested possessions, and at least above average for tackles. The other three? Gary Ablett, Luke Dahlhaus and Greene.
Lambert spends about two-thirds of his time on ground in the forward line, but his huge aerobic capacity also allows him to push up the ground and pressure opposition defenders.
For the Giants, keep an on eye Harry Perryman. The defensive wingman has done a number of impressive jobs this season and helped keep Steele Sidebottom quiet in the epic prelim final win.
He is rated by Champion Data as elite for intercept possessions and intercept marks (the only other wingman this year is the Lions' Mitch Robinson) while since Round 17 he is fourth at GWS for intercepts, intercept marks, looseball gets and fifth for ranking points. He also has the third-best tackling efficiency of any winger with at least five games, showcasing his defensive attributes.
While all eyes will be on who Matt de Boer sidles up to on Saturday, Perryman is also a major threat to any Tiger he lines up against.
Big-time Jack Riewoldt to return to the big stage
He was the first to admit his influence in the preliminary final was disappointing, but Jack Riewoldt is simply too good to have two off weeks in a row.
Last week against the Cats, Riewoldt was was unsighted for the better part of three quarters. He finished the match with just six disposals at 17 percent efficiency and three late behinds, but his impact when the game was in the balance was minimal. Fortunately, in his case, it didn't cost his team, as superstar former Sun Tom Lynch took the prelim by the scruff of the neck, booting five majors in a dominant performance.
Speaking on AFL 360 on Tuesday night, Riewoldt said he's put the poor performance behind him, and has drawn a hunger from this week's contest from his Grand Final performance in 2017.
"I don't focus on the fact that I didn't kick very well or I didn't get many touches because if I focus on that then I'm going in with a pretty poor mindset," he said.
"I played pretty well Grand Final day two years ago. I know I can play well on the big stage ... I know I can play my role for the side."
Before last week's down game, Riewoldt was in fine form, kicking 11 goals in his previous four matches. His career-best return of 11 goals also came against the Giants back in 2014, and while a Grand Final stage is the furthest thing from a half empty Giants Stadium back in 2014, a good omen is just that.
And with most of the attention set to land on Lynch following his bag last week, jumping Jack might just find himself in the box seat to have big say in how this game pans out.