Australian sport icon Cathy Freeman has jumped on board to take part in Saturday's AFL grand final sprint.
The sprinting legend won't be lining up in a lane, but will instead set off some of the game's fastest by firing the starting pistol in one of the afternoon's favourite traditions.
Freeman said she'll be keeping an eye on who breaks through the ribbon at the finish line.
She'll kick off the occasion 26 years - all but to the day - since her 400m gold-winning run etched her name into the list of Australia's greatest and most-loved athletes.
Millions of eyes were glued to her iconic moment as she burst into the lead after the final bend at Olympic Park in Sydney on September 25, 2000.
"I'm really excited to fire the starting pistol, " Freeman said. "AFL Grand Final Day is such a massive occasion, and I can't wait to see who takes home this year's Telstra Half-Time Sprint title and the 2026 AFL Premiership."
Freeman admitted she'll "probably fall into coach mode," per News Corp.
"I'm excited for waking up nervous and excited, especially for the players. I have some insight into what it feels like on game day. I think I'll get caught up in the whole energy and the vibe," she said.
Indigenous AFL stars Arthur Jones and Jarman Impey are this year's sprinting cohort.
Jed Walter, Willem Duursma, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Ollie Florent and Aliir Aliir and Brandon Leary — marking the Tasmania Devils' debut on the occasion, will line up beside them when Fremantle and the Lions are in the sheds during the halftime break.
The AFL's executive general manager of customer, commercial and technology, Bec Haagsma, said having an "icon" in Freeman involved "makes this year's event even more special".
Tom Beach, from Telstra, the sprint's major sponsor, said "we wanted our Grand Final entertainment to be a celebration of Australian talent from start to finish" in 2026.
"We're incredibly proud to have one of Australia's greatest sporting icons, Cathy Freeman, join us to fire the starter's gun as some incredible players race to win for their junior clubs," he said.
"Cathy's achievements continue to inspire Australians decades on and she shares our passion for bringing people together through sport."
Fremantle are vying for their first-ever premiership after more than three decades in the AFL on Saturday, with Alex Pearce in line to become the first-ever Indigenous skipper should the Dockers raise the cup.
On the other hand, Brisbane could repeat their early 2000s success with another three-peat if the match goes their way.
