Why some footy fans are convinced this photo proves which team is going to win the AFL grand final

If superstition is any guide, Brisbane Lions fans can start celebrating: your team is set to win the AFL grand final at the MCG on Saturday.

It follows skipper Lachie Neale who made sure to keep his hand on the premiership trophy a little longer than his counterpart Dane Rampe during the grand final parade in Melbourne on Friday.

Not that the Swans defender was concerned, stating he doesn’t believe in old wives’ tales.

But some footy fans are convinced whoever holds the silverware last will be the one to hoist it this weekend.

Nearly 12 months ago to the day, Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews lifted the trophy alongside Collingwood rival Darcy Moore – and the Magpies skipper made sure he won the mental battle.

After Collingwood won last year’s epic decider by four points, the moment stirred Andrews.

“It’s haunted me all offseason, to be honest,” he said in March.

‘Collingwood felt it was important to retain the cup as he was the last to let go during the grand final parade. It was a little awkward on stage because we were both standing there and I’m not really sure what’s happening.”

It follows Lachie Neale who made sure he kept his hand on the premiership trophy a little longer than his counterpart Dane Rampe (pictured, during Friday’s grand final parade)

Swans fans made their voices heard at the 2024 AFL Grand Final Parade in Melbourne on Friday (pictured)

It was perhaps why Andrews had no hesitation in letting teammate Neale take on the role this time.

Meanwhile, Lions coach Chris Fagan is claiming equal-dog status ahead of the AFL grand final, saying his team and Sydney are 50-50 for the premiership.

It comes despite the Swans finishing the regular season as minor premiers, while the Lions were fifth.

‘I think we are equal. We both go into the game with high expectations,” Fagan said.

‘There are two teams that are really in good form coming to the grand final. ‘A real 50-50 battle, that’s how I see it.’

Rampe, who will captain the Bloods after Callum Mills was ruled out with a hamstring injury on Wednesday, has played in three previous losing grand finals.

He’s not even considering a similar outcome on Saturday.

“What I’ve learned from the losses I’ve suffered is that no one really cares about your story,” Rampe said.

“It would be great for us to come back and win after that [the Geelong defeat of] ’22.

It would [also] It would be great for Brisbane to come back and make up for last year.

“But they don’t care about our story, and we don’t care about theirs either. That’s how it is; we have to go out and make it happen ourselves.”