SYDNEY Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh will be the match day skipper for Saturday's Grand Final against Hawthorn at the MCG.
McVeigh and fellow captain Adam Goodes have alternated in the role each game throughout the season, and McVeigh's turn falls on Saturday.
While Goodes will answer questions from the media at Friday's press conference with coach John Longmire, McVeigh will toss the coin and likely be first on stage to accept the premiership cup should the Swans win.
However, both captains expect to be involved in the immediate post-match celebrations should results go their way.
"The way we've always done the captaincy is one week on, one week off," Goodes said.
"It's always been a shared responsibility and if we get lucky enough on Saturday afternoon, I'm sure we'll both be up there at some stage.
"I think all the players will be up there to lift the cup if we're lucky enough to be there."
McVeigh, 27, wasn't part of the Swans' 2005 premiership after he fell out of the team after round 17 and failed to regain his spot.
He said while he was lucky to be the official captain tomorrow, the leadership role would remain a shared responsibility.
"We're both equally a part of it and very proud to lead out team out," McVeigh said.
"Nothing changes; it's just the toss of the coin and stuff like that.
"Our leadership group and 'Goodesy' and myself are very proud to lead this group out.
"We haven't really spoken about [who will lift the cup first] because we've got a lot of hard work to do before we can do that."
If McVeigh needed any additional motivation, it could stem from the fact the only Grand Final he's played in was the Swans' losing one to West Coast in 2006.
He said he was keen to avoid experiencing the bitter disappointment he felt after that one-point loss to the Eagles again.
"I was a part of '06 and lost that, and I know what it's like to lose one and that feeling is horrible," he said.
"We just really want to take our opportunity. It's a huge thing for our state and this group of players who have worked really hard."
Goodes, who sat in the front seat of his car for the Grand Final parade with coach John Longmire and his children in the back, was soaking up the atmosphere.
"It's always an awesome time to be part of, Grand Final week down here," he said.
"It's been since '06, and coming down here and being part of festivities and events and talking at functions … it's just a great time to be in Melbourne and to be doing it this year as a player, we're just super excited."
Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.
