DUSTIN Martin's Nan has just one wish for AFL grand final day.
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"Just don't let it be close," says Lois Knight.
The Castlemaine woman admits she's been pretty spoiled in recent years, watching her beloved Tigers notch up a pair of premierships in 2017 and 2019, while her darling grandson has collected a Brownlow Medal and a pair of Norm Smith Medals as best afield in those grand final wins.
It goes without saying she'd like to see a similar premiership-Norm Smith quinella on Saturday.
But what she doesn't want - even more than a Geelong victory - is a repeat of the nail-biting ending to last Friday night's preliminary final encounter in Adelaide, won by six points by the Tigers over Port Adelaide.
"I hope it's not like last Friday night, I couldn't stand it,' Lois said.
"It was terrible ... absolutely terrible.
"I'd been watching it and Port would get in front and I'd mute the television and change channel, or fiddle with my phone. I was scared, I couldn't watch it.
"I could only watch bits and pieces.
"But I tell you what, when I watched it again the next day, it was beautiful. I sat and watched it all. But Friday night, it was all a bit too much.
"I hope it's not like that again."
Only time will tell whether Lois gets any of her wishes.
She is, however, prepared for a titanic struggle between the Tigers and the Cats, who will be meeting in a grand final for the first time since 1967.
That clash is widely regarded as one of the classics, with the Tigers, led by coach Tom Hafey, prevailing by nine points, after the lead changed on several occasions in the final quarter.
It's not exactly the greatest of omens for someone craving a few less nerves on Saturday night.
"I'm a bit worried about Geelong ... a bit worried," Lois said.
"I've seen them play some pretty good football, and they are a very good team.
"But it's whatever happens on the day and I'm hoping it's us."
Lois, who will either watch the game at home alone, or with her daughter and son-in-law Ange and Andrew, continues to be proud as punch of her grandson, who was again in devastating touch against Port Adelaide last weekend, and is seemingly able to elevate his game higher and higher as the finals go deeper and deeper.
"He always hits his straps at finals time. It's a slow build-up until the finals," she said.
"It would be lovely if he won another Norm Smith, no one's ever won three.
"There's only four, who have won two, and that's (Luke) Hodge, Gary Ayres, Andrew McLeod and Dustin.
"I'm not biased ... not at all," she said with a laugh.
With the bulk of the season played outside of Victoria, and no fans present at the few games played in Melbourne very early in the season, Lois has missed her regular pilgrimages to the MCG and elsewhere.
She estimates it was Christmas when she last saw Dustin.
"It's hard to think about, but I haven't seen a game this year. And I go to all the games, well, most of them," she said.
"So we've missed out this year.
"I'd go to Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth; travel anywhere to watch Dustin.
"We've been stuck at Castlemaine for months, but at least I can go to Bendigo, whereas Dustin's brothers live in Melbourne and they could only go five kilometres. I felt so sorry for them."
And to her final words for her famous grandson ahead of the opening bounce.
"Go Dust. Go Dust and go Tigers.
"And may the best team win, but I hope it's not close."
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