• Who wins the Grand Final sprint?
• How did the Hawks and Eagles build their lists?
IT WOULD be a lie to say you could have cut the MCG atmosphere like a knife when Grand Final entertainers Bryan Adams and Ellie Goulding strolled around the boundary line two days ahead of their appearance on the big day.
But Thursday's media conference of two of the biggest names in music was entertaining enough to promise plenty when the summer of 2015 arrives early at Saturday's Grand Final.
Adams, the music veteran built like a rover, joked with the AFL's tall timber CEO Gillon McLachlan while Goulding swaggered along behind with an entourage like you would expect any self-respecting rock star to do.
Chris Isaak, the third international act performing on the day, was not present but he'll be there on Grand Final day.
Adams, the Canadian rock icon, won a few local friends immediately when he conceded he had heard that Meatloaf had been poorly recevied in 2011.
"When I came in this morning on the plane the guy said to me, 'I hope you do better than Meat Loaf'. I have big boots to fill," Adams said.
His direct description was in keeping with his approach with a guitar in his hand, the songs 'Run to You', 'Heaven', 'Summer of 69' and '(Everything I do) I do it for you', favourites of Alastair Clarkson's generation.
However he would not guarantee what songs he would play on the day, only that he would do his best to please.
"I'm going to try to squeeze in as many songs as I can," Adams said.
Goulding, the English artist, popular with those born about when the Eagles last played Hawthorn in a Grand Final in 1991, said the prospect of playing in front of 100,000 people was "going to be quite something. I'm very excited".
Goulding, whose hits include 'Burn' and 'Love Me Like You Do', promised to play songs people might know.
The stage is set. Anything could happen.
Gillon McLachlan gets to know Ellie Goulding and Bryan Adams at the MCG. Picture: AFL Media
