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Most Indigenous players ever in AFL Grand Final

The AFL Grand Final will feature the highest number of Indigenous players ever to play in a Grand Final.

afl_indig_players_sbs.jpg
(SBS)

Eight Indigenous players will take to the hallowed turf of the MCG - that's never been done before in a Grand Final.

Among them are two brothers who are also re-writing the record books.

Stephen and Bradley Hill share a special bond - and tomorrow they will be the first brothers since 1912 to come face to face in a Grand Final.

"Nah, not too much sledging, I might give him a little hit as he walks past, but not too much," says Bradley Hill.

"We just want to get out there and play some footy."

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"Yeah, we've kind of kept to ourselves," Stephen says.

For the younger Hill, it's a Grand Final in just game number 29.

"I'm not too nervous yet, but I suppose that will kick in later, I have to get a good night's sleep, but I will probably be thinking about tomorrow," Bradley says.

For the first time in nearly 120 years of VFL/AFL football, eight indigenous players will grace the Grand Final stage.

For the Hawks, last year's loss doesn't need to be mentioned.

"Nah, I reckon they're all pretty keen to do well. This is what you work so hard all year for," says Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson.

For Fremantle, an historic first flag beckons.

"I've been dreaming of this since I was a little kid but dreaming of it doesn't make it happen," says Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich.

"We are going to have to play some great footy tomorrow against a very tough team who want to make amends for last year's loss."

Related: Freo feverish as fans await Grand Final


2 min read

Published

Updated

By Glenn Osborne

Source: World News Australia


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