Loading Hopper grew up in Leeton, 550 kilometres west of Sydney and 450 kilometres north of Melbourne, with a population of 7000. When he was growing up, Leeton was a town where the term "football" meant something completely different to AFL. Like Martin and Cotchin, they're from completely different worlds, but they're a dynamic one-two punch. "Country kids tend to associate with other country boys but Tim and I connected from the first day," Hopper said. "As the year progressed and the adversity that we were going through, we both realised that we were in a really unique position and it was an opportunity that we could really make our own in the midfield and try to drive as much success as we can."

With Callan Ward, Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio all missing significant chunks of the season, it's been left up to the likes of Taranto and Hopper – aged 21 and 22 respectively – to step up. And that they have, simultaneously developing a strong bond. "I have so much respect for him in how he plays," Taranto said of his teammate. "I guess we are kind of similar in some regards, I really enjoy playing with him and we have really good chemistry out on the field."

Loading But it is not just limited to the field. When they're not battering into opposition players, they're badgering each other about their inescapable differences. "Some of the kits he gets around in, I don't think I would ever dream of to be honest," scoffed Hopper as he pondered some of the shoes that Taranto can be seen wearing into the club. "But underneath the layers, I think there's a bit of country in him."

Hopper's mum, dad and two brothers will climb into a people-mover and head south for the six-hour journey to the MCG. The town of Leeton "will be going off", according to Hopper, and locals even considered painting the local pub orange. "It's pretty special to see the energy and excitement back home; the family is loving it. "It fills the heart to know that all of Leeton are a part of the journey and to see them share in a piece of this is pretty cool." Taranto's journey has been very different. Instead of growing up in a population of 7000, he went to a school with more than 2000 students.

"He often calls me a soft city boy," Taranto said as he prepared to mount a defence. "I mean, yes he's come from Leeton, but he's a bit of a try-hard country boy and he's not as tough as he looks … don't worry about him." Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video While Taranto's mum, Jessica, won't have to travel far for the grand final, his dad Phillip is based in the United States and is flying all the way from Dallas. "He watches every game I play. He wakes up at all hours of the night and sometimes he goes to the bar with all his mates and they absolutely love AFL footy.

Loading "They're all big Giants fans, his mates." The Giants are big in Texas. Who would've thought it? Hopper's dad, James, will also arrive at the 'G with a significant sense of pride, having started the Auskick program in Leeton in the early 2000s, when he could barely get 20 kids to turn up. Since then, the area has become a recruiting zone for the Giants and on Saturday, Leeton will produce its second grand finalist, after Jacob Townsend two years ago with Richmond.

"I've never been one to reflect, because I've always wanted to stay in the moment," Hopper said. "But earlier in the week, there has been an opportunity to understand that Leeton is a part of who I am and where I've come from. "It's something pretty special." And for Taranto, a man who grew up barracking for the Demons and saw very little on-field success, he's dreamed of being part of a grand final at the MCG ever since he could remember. "It's a weird feeling, I'll be honest," he said.