Opposing coaches Paul Roos and John Worsfold agree Saturday's AFL grand final will deliver the next great chapter of the Sydney-West Coast rivalry.

It will also provide another throwback to what many fans want to see - contested football.

The past four games between the sides have been decided by an aggregate 11 points, suggesting another epic at the MCG.

Their coaches' commitment to one-on-one football opposed to uncontested-possession games - which to many have become the bane of modern football - means there could be a repeat of the 2005 arm-wrestle, which the Swans won by four points.

Roos admitted he loved the contested game plan West Coast used because it was the football he grew up with.

"I don't think you're going to see circle work," he predicted.

"Football is about making tackles and about physical (contact).

"Some of the games I've seen this year I can't remember too many tackles and it's like going to watch a 400-metre relay at the Olympics.

"For me, footy is about the contest and making tackles and no free players all over the ground.

"That's what I think you're going to see tomorrow and that's what we've seen in the previous games between the sides - great one-on-one contests all over the ground, and it's going to be a terrific game."

Worsfold said both sides were evenly-matched and agreed fans were enthralled watching the Eagles and Swans slug it out.

"Last year's grand final was a low-scoring game, but people loved the contest and talked about the contest," he said.

"They certainly are great games to watch."

Sydney and West Coast enter the game in as perfect shape as their coaches could want at this time of the season.

Eagles half-back David Wirrpanda, the only inclusion among the two sides, said he had no lingering concerns over his recent hamstring tightness and then trained impressively at the MCG to back that claim.

Midfielder Daniel Kerr did not train, but the Eagles maintain he is no doubt.

Sydney ruckman Darren Jolly arrived in Melbourne on Friday after staying at home an extra night to witness the birth of he and wife Deanne's daughter.

He opted to rest at the team hotel instead of taking part in Friday's grand final parade.

The Eagles went into the 2005 big one minus several key players and with several others playing hurt.

With full-forward Quinten Lynch (68 goals for the season) in the side and firing, plus midfielders Michael Braun and Beau Waters, Worsfold was convinced the Eagles were better settled.

"The key is the guys we've selected this year are the ones who have done most of the work throughout the year," he said.

"Last year we had to make changes either just before or during the finals series, and we haven't had those headaches this year."

The biggest headache for West Coast this week was dropping key defender Jaymie Graham, who had played 24 of 25 games this season.

Worsfold denied Graham's omission would rob West Coast of height in defence and backed the unheralded Brett Jones to stop Sydney forward Michael O'Loughlin.

After six months, Saturday comes down to the players.

Roos said he and Worsfold had done their jobs and much of grand final day was about keeping things simple.

"The last thing you want to do is outsmart yourself and all of a sudden you pull a move which you think is going to be a great move and you end up losing by five (points) and then you look like a goose," he said.

"Both teams have done very well against each other and had wins and losses, so it's just going to come down to the team which executes for the longest."

TAB Sportsbet had West Coast a narrow favourite at $1.67. Sydney was at $2.20.

The match is a sell-out, meaning the MCG might host the biggest grand final crowd since 2000, when 96,249 fans watched Essendon beat Melbourne.

Fine and sunny conditions are forecast for the 2.30pm (AEST) start.

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