IT is a sacrifice Michael Close is willing to make, leaving Harrow-Balmoral’s end of season footy trip to Brisbane a day early to support former teammates in today’s AFL Grand Final.

The former Lion was in the sunshine state on Thursday and Friday before flying back to Melbourne this morning for the AFL decider, while his Southern Roos teammates stay in Brisbane an extra day.

“We have got our footy trip to Brisbane, Thursday Friday and flying back Saturday morning for the game,” he told The Spectator on Wednesday.

“The trip was always to Brisbane over AFL Grand Final weekend, I thought there’d be a slim chance I may not go, and when we booked it, I told the boys that if Brisbane made it, I could be going to the game.

“Ryan Lester is one of my good mates and after the win last week he messaged me and said he had a few tickets and asked if I wanted to go … so I am going with my partner, Lauren, and brother-in-law.”

The 30-year-old played 27 games for the Lions between 2014-2017 before being medically retired and is hoping for a different result to last year’s game, when the Lions went down to Collingwood by four points.

“It is a bloody incredible effort, they (grand finals) are not easy to get to,” he said.

“We didn’t have a lot of success when I was there, I have a few mates still there and it is a great reward for effort.

“I went to the game last year and it was the best experience of my life, hopefully it is even better if they win.”

Close is tipping a Lions win by six points, with Ryan Lester and Dayne Zorko – both good friends – to be among the mix in Norm Smith Medal voting.

“We knocked them off earlier in the year, I think it will be a line ball game,” he said.

“Think it could be a kick in it, see who can handle the moments better.”

Sitting in the stands for a second consecutive grand final is something special for Close, who watches as a fan of the club and of the game.

“I just watch some of my mates go about it and it is just a great atmosphere,” he said.

“I go in with the same mindset, they are lucky to be involved in a game like this and they deserve to be there.

“I hope they win, they had so many darker years, and for them to have some success is great to see.

“There’d be close to half a dozen I’d regularly keep in touch with, and I get up there once a year and catch up with them.

“There is still a lot of coaches still there that were there when I was playing as well.”

Close is also hoping to celebrate with the team if they are successful.

“I wont get into the rooms, last year I went to the post game function at Crown, hopefully it is a similar experience,” he said.

“The vibes were still pretty good last year, they did such a good effort

“If they win, it will obviously be higher vibes.”