GMHBA Stadium had almost as many journalists as there were fans at Monday's open training session, with everyone wanting to hear what the players had to say about this weekend's AFL Grand Final. 

Here's a sample of what was said. 

Dangerfield on the magic of the MCG via K rock Football

There’s something about turning onto Brunton Avenue as the lights are on. It’s just a special place. It’s the home of footy – (it) has been for a long time.

And to have it packed Saturday is just going to be spectacular.

Jack Henry on his potential opponent via Herald Sun

That’s a later-in-the-week problem and big Sammy (De Koning) helps so I usually don’t take the biggest defender but I will play on a handful of guys and try to get it done.

Whether it’s (Isaac) Heeney or those dangerous forwards, whoever stays deep. You try to stick to what you know. I have played on those guys before and it’s a Grand Final, I guess, but it’s not going to be too different to what I have done before.

Mark O’Connor on his potential role via Herald Sun

It is a bit uncertain, for sure.

There are uncontrollables there which I won’t focus on, but I will prepare like I normally do and I will be ready for the game.

Mark Blicavs on 'cruisty lad' Sam De Koning's first Grand Final via Geelong Advertiser

(De Koning) is so calm just talking to him, he loved his surfing and is a bit of a beach goer so he is a cruisy lad.He has been given the big jobs every week and he absolutely loves it.

We tell him each week he might be on the best forward and he says ‘it’s fine’.

Gary Rohan on what it would mean to raise the cup via Herald Sun

It is a childhood dream to win one [but] you’ve just got to put yourself back out there and keep pushing. That is what I am going to do this weekend, put myself back out there and do what I can do best and see if I end up with the result.

Nothing (is going to change), I’m just going to keep doing the same, play my role and do what I can for the team.

Sam De Koning on his Grand Final preparation via Geelong Advertiser

It’s only my first year (regularly playing AFL) so it’s just the unknown of what they bring and not having played on them before so just doing my preparation, watching the tape and just having a good game plan so that I can attack the game, and try and play my role well for the team.”

Mark Blicavs on Max Holmes via Herald Sun

He is good, he is really positive. He got a big cheer when he was doing the laps around here
He will be given, I assume, right to the last minute.

Great to see him jogging out, he is really positive and the club is really positive about it.

Jack Henry on the vibe around Geelong via The Age

The town is buzzing.

Patrick Dangerfield on Joel Selwood via K rock Football

He typifies everything we want to be as players, and he lives his life – on and off the field – that way. He’s such a special person. We’re a very fortunate organisation to have him at the head of it and to be led by him.