There's been lots of talk about this year's showdown between non-Victorian sides.

But of course the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions were both born on the streets of South Melbourne and Fitzroy respectively.

In Fitzroy's Royal Derby Hotel, Marianne is gearing up to watch her side battle for the premiership.

"We live on the Mornington Peninsula, so we've come to stay in Fitzroy for the weekend and soak up the atmosphere," she says.

Jess and Eden, draped in Lions scarves, say they're starting to feel butterflies.

"We've got hopes, for sure," Eden says.

"We're from Brisbane — we just moved down here," Jess says.

Inside the pub, Roxanne and Jake are also feeling the nerves, but Roxanne reckons "the boys can do it".

"I think they've learnt from last year, they know what they should and shouldn't do," she says.

Jake's donned a vintage Brisbane jumper — repping his home city despite being a passionate Cats fan.

"I feel a bit gross in it [the jumper]," he says.

"But doing it for the missus."

Reporting by Erin Marsicovetere