In only a few hours North Melbourne will play in its first final since the 2008 Elimination Final against Sydney. With such a young squad it means many of the players will be experiencing their first AFL final. Here are some of their thoughts from the lead-up.

- What’s it like playing in your first final?

Jamie Macmillan - "I haven’t played (in a final) since under 14’s so looking forward to it and it’s going to be a good experience. Definitely going over there to win though."

Kieran Harper - "It’s pretty exciting, obviously we didn’t play last year and it’s the next step in the game. It’s going to be a good time for the club. I haven’t played too many finals (in juniors) so it’ll be a good experience."

Jack Ziebell - "Very exciting, first final for the footy club in four years. It’s a good opportunity to go over to Perth and play a really good side in front of their home crowd. I can’t wait."

Todd Goldstein - "Can’t wait, I was here in 2007 when we made the prelim and it was a really good feeling around the place. It’s always good to be training and around the place this time of year rather than on Mad Monday and preparing for holidays."

Robbie Tarrant - "It’s very exciting, looking forward to it. We’re really looking forward to the opportunity to play over there."

Sam Wright - "It’s exciting, obviously the year before I came (2008) we made the finals. I reckon if we bring our A game over to Perth we’ll be right."

Sam Gibson - "Everyone’s really excited, spring is in the air and it’s a good time to be at the club."

- Is the preparation any different this week?

Jamie Macmillan - "Not really, one of the big things for me is all the stuff I do outside football and trying to keep my routine the same."

Kieran Harper - "Keeping it exactly the same and trying to treat it as a normal game. Obviously the surroundings are going to be a bit different but I’ll just keep it simple."

Jack Ziebell - "It is a much bigger game but you look at it just like any other game when you prepare no different and leave no stone unturned."

Todd Goldstein - "It’s not something the boys have really spoken about (the warmer weather conditions), we’re really looking forward to it. The weather’s been pretty miserable in Melbourne with the wind so we’ll definitely enjoy spending a couple of days in the sun."

Robbie Tarrant - "Jack and Drewy might have to apply an extra layer of sunscreen with the sun but that’s probably all that changes for us."

Sam Wright - "Not at all. Good sides play anywhere and in any conditions it doesn’t really matter. We’ll be preparing the same and keeping the routine the same."

Sam Gibson - "I don’t think so. We’ve shown in the last few months we’ve had a good enough routine to play some really good football and nothing should really change."

- West Coast’s biggest danger?

Jamie Macmillan - "I’m biased; I played with Luke Shuey so I’m going to say him. He’s had a really good year and taken his game to another level. So he’ll certainly be one we have a look at."

Kieran Harper - "It’ll probably have to be Dean Cox who most players will probably say! He’s played pretty well against us and beaten us the last few times so if we can nullify his influence we’ll go a long way to winning."

Jack Ziebell - "It would have to be Dean Cox. The last couple of times we’ve played against him he’s been the deciding factor so he’ll be the most dangerous."

Todd Goldstein - "Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui you can put in one. To prepare, I’ll sit down with Alex (Ischenko, ruck coach) and focus on what players have done against them which have worked well and what skills I can bring to combat that but in the end it’s about making a contest and giving Andrew Swallow, Daniel Wells and co a chance to get the loose ball."

Sam Wright - "If you look back at it Dean Cox has got a handle on us the last few times we’ve played. We just need Goldy to really compete in there which we know he will and when Goldy’s playing his best he’s working hard and a real benefit to the side."

Sam Gibson - "Their rucks are going to be a real key and Goldy’s going to be up to the challenge."