Former Brisbane and Fremantle player Des Headland will have a close eye on Saturday's AFL grand final, with the two clubs he represented during his 12-year career set to meet on the biggest stage.

The Noongar and Yamatji man played 166 AFL games, including 52 for the Lions and 114 for the Dockers, after becoming the first Indigenous player selected with the No.1 pick in the AFL National Draft in 1998.

Headland was also a member of Brisbane's 2002 premiership team and knows first-hand the emotions and pressure that come with grand final week.

He said embracing the occasion and staying in the moment would be important for players from both sides.

"It's about just being in the moment and enjoying the moment," Headland told SEN Top End.

"It doesn't come around much as a player (so) if you play in a grand final, you've got to take (the opportunity) with both hands."

While Fremantle enter the contest looking to create history, Brisbane has become accustomed to the playing on the final Saturday in September.

"For the Lions boys this is their fourth year so they are well and truly experienced in this build up and what to expect," Headland said.

"There's nerves, there's excitement, but you just have to try and keep it normal and prepare as you normally would week in and week out."

Headland said Brisbane's sustained success reminded him of lessons from his time under legendary Lions coach Leigh Matthews.

"If you think of the early 2000s we had Leigh Matthews (as coach), one of the greatest players of all time," he said.

"He taught us to not get ahead of ourselves and to make sure each year is a different year - teams are going to get bigger and better, and you have to just keep improving.

"To be able to get to four grand finals in a row is amazing.

"They've still got a young list and a really exciting list - this Lions team could be around the mark for the next three or four years as well."

Over in the West, Headland expects the town of Fremantle to come to a standstill if the Dockers claim an inaugural premiership.

"It's hard to explain to people outside of Fremantle, but it would be crazy, it would be mayhem," he said.

"Last week when they won the prelim, the streets were going crazy, so you can imagine what would happen if they won the flag.

'That whole Fremantle city would be shut down.

"There are long suffering and very diehard, passionate Fremantle supporters in Western Australia (so) if there time comes on the weekend there will be a lot of tears and I'm sure everyone will be celebrating."

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Headland believes the two sides are evenly matched and expects an entertaining contest.

"Both teams match up really well on each other, I think it'll be an exciting grand final," he said.

"I'm sitting on the fence and I'm just hoping that it's a shootout that goes right down to the wire, and whoever wins, I'll be happy either way."

Four Indigenous players are set to feature in the grand final, with Shai Bolton, Alex Pearce and Isaiah Dudley playing for Fremantle and Charlie Cameron lining up for Brisbane.

Headland nominated Luke Jackson as a potential match-winner for the Dockers, while also highlighting the attacking threats on both sides.

"I think Luke Jackson will turn it on, and if Freo win, he could win the Norm Smith," he said.

"Shai Bolton and even young 'deadly' (Isaiah) Dudley up in the forward line - he's a bit like Willie Rioli and when he's on he can kick two or three goals in the blink of an eye.

"Will Ashcroft shows up week in week out, Zac Bailey, Charlie Cameron, Logan Morris you could name a lot of them."