They're all fantastic contributors to both of the teams involved and there are a lot of people, a lot of communities and a lot of family members out there who are very proud of them.
I understand and appreciate the journey they have all taken and how hard it is to get there.
From a selfish point of view, I'm naturally a little bit disappointed that it's not me running out onto the ground with my teammates for the big game.
But both Hawthorn and Fremantle have been fantastic sides over the course of the year.
They are both great football clubs that have embraced Aboriginal players and helped them grow into fantastic players themselves.
What it typically comes down to is those players have to make a range of choices.
They have to make choices about their own careers, choices about their lifestyle, choices about what they really want to do with their lives.
Once they do make that decision to buy into the football club and the cultures at their football club, they've been able to see massive improvements in form and as people over that journey.
There have obviously been some exceptional performances over the years on Grand Final day.
I'll always remember guys like Andrew McLeod and Byron Pickett winning Norm Smith medals.
The first goal for those boys out there on Saturday of course is to help their team get over the line and win a premiership, but if one of them is lucky enough to win the Norm Smith, it's such a huge honour.
Today is our biggest stage in terms of sporting events. Basically the whole country will be watching.
To have a group of such talented indigenous people on the biggest stage on our sporting calendar is such a positive thing for a lot of young people to see.
You've got these healthy, young, fit men living out their dreams.
To hear their stories of how they got to Grand Final day, to hear the sacrifices they've had to make and the journeys they've been on, it can only be a positive thing for our people.
Brad Hill and Cyril Rioli embrace after Hawthorn's preliminary final victory. Picture: AFL Media
What the players say
FREMANTLE
Michael Johnson
"Down at Freo we've always had a big group of indigenous boys that come through the system every year. Having a look at both teams, it's great to get four of us from Fremantle and four with Hawthorn. It's going to be special for the indigenous community. Hopefully everyone can perform and show our talent."
Michael Walters
"I'm just proud to put on the jumper. I got a bit of a kick in the bum last year and I never thought I was going to be in a parade, let alone playing in an AFL Grand Final."
Danyle Pearce
"On Tuesday I just had a bit of a thought to myself and I said to Sonny (Michael Walters) it might be a record this week. The Grand Final alone is a great achievement for the whole team to be in, but to hold that record as well adds a little bit of significance."
Stephen Hill
"To be a part of that and play with so many indigenous players out on the field is pretty special for the indigenous community. It's a pretty proud moment."
HAWTHORN
Cyril Rioli
"It's pretty special, but it's also pretty special just to be part of a Grand Final, especially with Shauny Burgoyne being a Darwin boy. It would be nice to win one with him. I'm sorry for Jed (Anderson) not making the team, but to be playing in one again and to get another chance to win another medallion, it's great."
Shaun Burgoyne
"It's great to see that (record number). Both teams have a number of indigenous players and it's great to see the clubs represented by indigenous players on both sides. There's going to be hard luck stories for both teams and for the 22 that gets on the field, you're in a privileged position."
Lance Franklin
"That's very exciting for the football code itself, recognising the indigenous boys and what we do for football so it will be really good. It's something special to be part of, and with the Hill boys playing together, it's really exciting."
Bradley Hill
"I didn't know it was a record. There is quite a few because Hawthorn have a lot and so do Fremantle and it's good that we'll have a few of them run out there. Hopefully there's a bit of excitement out there in the game."
Additional reporting by Nathan Schmook and Jennifer Phelan
FREMANTLE
Michael Johnson
"Down at Freo we've always had a big group of indigenous boys that come through the system every year. Having a look at both teams, it's great to get four of us from Fremantle and four with Hawthorn. It's going to be special for the indigenous community. Hopefully everyone can perform and show our talent."
Michael Walters
"I'm just proud to put on the jumper. I got a bit of a kick in the bum last year and I never thought I was going to be in a parade, let alone playing in an AFL Grand Final."
Danyle Pearce
"On Tuesday I just had a bit of a thought to myself and I said to Sonny (Michael Walters) it might be a record this week. The Grand Final alone is a great achievement for the whole team to be in, but to hold that record as well adds a little bit of significance."
Stephen Hill
"To be a part of that and play with so many indigenous players out on the field is pretty special for the indigenous community. It's a pretty proud moment."
HAWTHORN
Cyril Rioli
"It's pretty special, but it's also pretty special just to be part of a Grand Final, especially with Shauny Burgoyne being a Darwin boy. It would be nice to win one with him. I'm sorry for Jed (Anderson) not making the team, but to be playing in one again and to get another chance to win another medallion, it's great."
Shaun Burgoyne
"It's great to see that (record number). Both teams have a number of indigenous players and it's great to see the clubs represented by indigenous players on both sides. There's going to be hard luck stories for both teams and for the 22 that gets on the field, you're in a privileged position."
Lance Franklin
"That's very exciting for the football code itself, recognising the indigenous boys and what we do for football so it will be really good. It's something special to be part of, and with the Hill boys playing together, it's really exciting."
Bradley Hill
"I didn't know it was a record. There is quite a few because Hawthorn have a lot and so do Fremantle and it's good that we'll have a few of them run out there. Hopefully there's a bit of excitement out there in the game."
Additional reporting by Nathan Schmook and Jennifer Phelan
