"ARCTIC Park" certainly lived up to its nickname.

But heavy rain and howling winds failed to deter thousands of Hawthorn fans from descending on Waverley Park to watch their heroes go through their final paces before Saturday's AFL Grand Final against Fremantle.

The turnout wasn't as big as it was last year's corresponding session, which was blessed with finer weather, but hardcore fans of all ages created a carnival atmosphere at the club's last open training session of the season.

Food stands, merchandise tents and portable toilets attracted long queues, and excited kids and their parents kicked balls on the oval, undeterred by the intermittent showers.

Ponchos and umbrellas were the order of the day, but most didn't bother. Rain forced some to seek higher ground and shelter, but others remained unmoved and unfazed, apparently determined to soak up the atmosphere in more ways than one.

They're a tough mob.

They're also a hungry mob.

A food stand overlooking the oval did a roaring trade as a spruiker theatrically extolled the virtues of treats such as "premiership snags" and "Josh Gibson gingerbread", which was priced at $4 and perhaps should instead have paid tribute to star redhead Jarryd Roughead.

The event also brought out some unexpected sights.

England-born Hawks fan Lesley Calverley was trying to flog 'I [HEART] Buddy' number plates, which have been officially registered with Vic Roads, for $1800.

"When he's training I might scream out, 'Hey Buddy, why don't you buy these for your mum?' Not sure he'll hear me though," she told AFL.com.au.

There would be no chance of the superstar hearing her plea such was the noise created by fellow fans.

Another unusual sight was that of a man dressed in a muscle-suit, reminiscent of the Michelin Man, to promote a local health club.

A passionate fan delivered his version of Shane Crawford's famous proclamation: "That's what I'm talking about!" A cameraman asked him to repeat the effort on camera, and he happily obliged.

Many grown men – even one with silver hair and bifocals who would probably have seen the Hawks' first flag back in 1961 – donned Hawthorn jumpers complete with numbers on their backs.

Independent businesses owners that co-inhabit the premises also got into the spirit of the occasion by decking out their stores with Hawks posters, placards, balloons and streamers. Such items, and more, were seen all around the ground, and it seemed a few stray balloons were always floating high above the oval.

Many of occupants of the triple-storey apartments that circle the oval took great interest in proceedings, and proudly displayed brown-and-yellow scarves and signs on their balconies.

Before training started at noon, media personality and Hawks fan Stephen Quartermain conducted interviews on a makeshift stage with president Andrew Newbold and premiership greats Graham Arthur (1961), Peter Knights (1976, 1978 and 1983) and Chance Bateman (2008).

Arthur and Knights are among the club's greatest champions, but the more recently retired Bateman was afforded the biggest cheer. "Changa!" they screamed.

All three believe the hurt of last year's loss will drive the Hawks to victory, though Arthur was more circumspect than last year, when he predicted a 10-goal margin.

As the emergence of the players became imminent, fans crammed against a barrier like they were there to see a One Direction concert.

The players came out in gaggles, minutes apart. Each time players – or even staff – appeared, it sparked cheering and a Hawthorn chant. At one point the theme song blasted over the loudspeaker – a rendition that was beefed up by a chorus of enthusiastic fans.

Predictably, skipper Luke Hodge and coach Alastair Clarkson received the most raucous applause. Like many of his players, Clarkson high-fived children on his way onto the oval.

By the time training started, the sun re-emerged and fans ringed the oval, three-deep in parts.

Young boys sat atop six-foot-high brick fences to get an elevated view. They knew they were witnessing something special.