What persuades football fanatics to camp overnight for two days, on concrete, amid predictions of rain and wind, just to sit and wait?

Surely, it would be St Kilda fans longing for their first AFL premiership in 43 years, or Geelong supporters hoping to reclaim the premiership they won in 2007 after a disappointing loss in last year's decider.

But surprisingly, there were few fans of either persuasion among the group of about 20 huddled beneath sleeping bags and jackets outside the MCG on Friday.

The exception were 15-year-old Geelong supporters Emma Kenshole and Louise Burridge.

The two young die-hards secured their place in the queue for about 10,000 Melbourne Cricket Club members' seats, which will be allocated on a first-in, best-dressed basis when the gates open at 8am (AEST) on Saturday.

Ms Kenshole, from Kew in Melbourne's inner east, said it was her second time queueing for the members' seats while her friend joined her in the vigil for the first time at 8am on Friday.

"I'm doing alright, getting a bit bored, but I'll manage," Ms Burridge, from Camberwell, mumbled into her blue sleeping bag.

She admitted Saturday's grand final was "going to be a tough match, but I hope they (Geelong) win."

Nearby, a grand final stalwart was mingling with mates he met in the same queue about eight years ago.

Collingwood supporter Paul Meredith from Frankston South was one of the first to set up camp about 4pm on Thursday.

"We've camped here and stayed the night and done the hard yards," he told AAP.

"Do it every year, same thing.

"I've only missed two grand finals since 1970."

Mr Meredith, 48, was looking forward to the annual pre-grand final day feast of prawns, oysters, beer and wine he shares with a group of mates who have travelled from all over Victoria and as far as Bunbury in Western Australia.

Elsewhere in the queue, 55-year-old Vicki Baird and her daughter Katie, 27, said the grand final atmosphere brings them out in the elements, even though they support Carlton and Collingwood.

Vicki said she had been coming to the grand final since she was a 12-year-old.

"It's just the grand final, it's the excitement of the day, I get caught up in the atmosphere."

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