WESTERN Bulldogs fans have drowned out their Sydney Swans counterparts at the Grand Final parade as they soak up an historic week for their club.

Supporters started lining the streets early in a sea of blue, red and white, from the Old Treasury Building and down Spring Street more than 90 minutes before the Grand Final teams arrived.

The Army band was in the spirit too, wearing their club scarves of choice while kicking a footy as they waited for their official duties to begin.

And kids spilled into Fitzroy Gardens with their parents to have a kick, with the sun coming out just in time for a highlight of the footy calendar. 

It was declared a bigger crowd than 2015, this year estimated at more than 180,000 by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, as fans starting piling into the MCG surrounds at Yarra Park.

Fans watched on a big screen as the coaches and captains fronted the traditional Grand Final eve press conference, with hamstrings and selection heartache hot topics. 

Supporters flocked to the MCG surrounds on Friday. Picture: AFL Photos

Both were captured in the one car when NAB AFL Rising Star Callum Mills and Grand Final emergency Harrison Marsh took their seats alongside each other for the parade. 

"We've gone through all the possible steps and I'm very confident going in tomorrow that the hamstring will be strong," Mills said, as reporters queued up to quiz him on the hamstring he injured in the qualifying final against Greater Western Sydney.

For Marsh, the interest centred on how he was told he'd be missing out after playing all three finals this September.

"'Horse' (John Longmire) was pretty open with me in regards to [Jarrad McVeigh] and just that 'Macca' got up so I missed out," he said.

While the crowd was slow to form down Wellington Parade, it became a swarm of fans with cameras, flags and scarves by the time the players' cars made their way down the long stretch to the home of football. 

Nestled among them were former Bulldogs president David Smorgon and the man who took over from him, Peter Gordon, both mesmerised by the crowd.

"We ran into each other by accident and we're just comparing memories," Gordon said.

"We always hoped for it, and we worked hard and built for it.

"So it's a nice day to be here and a nice day to be here with my friend."

Smorgon reflected on the work done to fight off multiple threats to the club's future during his reign.

"We've dreamed about this day and sometimes dreams actually come true," he said.

"For thousands of Bulldogs fans, this dream has come true after 55 years of not being in a Grand Final.

"You can just feel the genuine spirit, the warmth, the love of the club.

"Fingers crossed we're going to knock off the Swans and we'll be celebrating for the next three years."

The Grand Final public holiday might have had its detractors, but it looked a masterstroke on Friday.

Fans young and old gathered in their colours around the big stage at the MCG to see the teams presented, with Mike Brady building the anticipation with his footy anthem One Day in September.

Mike Brady belts out an old favourite as John Longmire looks on. Picture: AFL Photos

The Swans were then presented to the cheers of the loud minority, who weren't deterred by the enemy territory they found themselves in.

When the Bulldogs were presented the crowd erupted. For the tens of thousands who won't have tickets to Saturday's game, this was their chance to see the team, cheer them off and sing the team song. 

Both captains played their on-stage interviews with composure and gave nothing away.

When they held the premiership cup aloft, their focus and determination was clear to see.

And when it came time to place it down, like a pair of gentlemen they let go at exactly the same time, leaving no clues for the superstitious as to which way Saturday's game will go. 

Easton Wood and Jarrad McVeigh hold the premiership cup aloft. Picture: AFL Photos

Bulldogs and Swans fans line city streets. Pictures: AFL Photos