Thousands of footy fans gathered in Melbourne's CBD for the traditional grand final parade ahead of tomorrow's AFL grand final between Geelong and Hawthorn.

With the season decider being played between two Victorian clubs for the first time since 2000, there was a healthy smattering of Cats and Hawks fans on the streets.

------------------------------------------------
Video: Parade ignites grand final fever
------------------------------------------------

Melbourne turned on a warm, though slightly overcast, spring day as fans celebrated one of the favourite weeks of the year.

The parade started at midday, when Geelong and Hawthorn players traveled in open-top cars starting at the Victorian Arts Centre. They made their way travel up Swanston Street before turning into Collins Street and finishing at the Old Treasury Building in Spring Street.

The two teams were presented to the crowd and competing captains, Sam Mitchell of Hawthorn and Tom Harley of Geelong, held the 2008 Premiership Cup aloft.

The two captains and two coaches faced the media for the final media conference before tomorrow's big game, which starts at 2.30pm at the MCG.

The last time the two teams met at a grand final was in 1989, when the Hawks beat Geelong by six points.

Geelong had a light training session at the MCG this afternoon.