We take a look at the Italo-Australian players, from both sides, who’ll represent our community on the day.

Richmond Tigers

Dion Prestia - No. 3

Known as “Meatball”, the 26-year-old grew up in Melbourne's inner-northern suburbs and played for the Gold Coast Suns from 2011 to 2016, before moving to Richmond in 2017, playing in the premiership side.

The hard-bodied midfielder was named in the squad of 40 players in the running for All-Australian selection this year.

Following the Tigers’ 2017 premiership win, Prestia said his medal was his dad’s just as much as it was his.

“I remember as a young teenager my dad, ‘Osi’, regularly working through the night; he is heavily involved in the fresh fruit markets of Melbourne,” he wrote.

“There wasn’t a night he came home before 9:00 am.

“It was exhausting hours, but he provided for his family and made sure we were well looked after.

“And through it all, I can’t ever remember missing a training session.

“He would sleep two hours each day just to take me to the footy grounds.”

Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, we’re sure Prestia will make his dad proud.

Jason Castagna - No. 11

Known as “George”, the 23-year-old grew up in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs and made his AFL debut with Richmond in 2016.

The forward was a member of Richmond’s finals team in 2017, and kicked a goal in each of the club’s three matches in the series, including in a victorious grand final.

Pronounced CA-STAN-YA, the star athlete’s surname means “chestnut” in Italian.

However, he was given the nickname “George” due to the name’s similarity to Seinfeld character George Costanza’s surname.

Greater Western Sydney Giants

Stephen Coniglio - No. 3

Vice-captain of the Giants, 25-year-old “Cogs” is more than proud of his Italian heritage... he even speaks the language!

The star midfielder grew up in Perth’s east with an Italian father who migrated to Australia from the Calabrian village of Bivongi as a young child.

“My nonno came out first and worked for two years before he saved enough money to bring the rest of the family over,” Coniglio explained in an interview with Il Globo.

“My grandparents came over in search of a better life and they worked tirelessly for a number of years to set up and provide for the family.”

Coniglio has certainly made his family proud, both on and off the field.

During Monday night’s Brownlow Medal ceremony, he was recognised with the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, awarded to the leading AFL representative who has given back to his or her community.

In between training and playing, he has developed the Coniglio-Farrugia community program, alongside AFL Women’s player Amanda Farrugia, helping 3000 students from multicultural backgrounds connect with AFL.

Coniglio is an ambassador with several Western Sydney-based junior clubs and is involved with the All Nations Cup, a competition supporting players from different backgrounds.

He also works for the Lighthouse community program, owned by Richmond player and grand final opponent Bachar Houli, aimed at supporting underprivileged youth and families.

Despite doing everything he could to prove his fitness at Wednesday’s main training session, Coniglio ultimately decided to rule himself out of Saturday’s game due to a knee injury.

Despite the selfless decision to sit out on his side’s maiden grand final, Coniglio’s presence and leadership will be crucial on the day.

Brett Deledio - No. 7

Known as “Lids”, the 32-year-old was born in the rural Victorian town of Kyabram and made his debut with Richmond in 2005, at 17 years of age.

He won the 2005 NAB AFL Rising Star and became the youngest player to represent Australia in the International Rules in that same season.

Over 243 games with Richmond, he won two Best and Fairest awards (in 2008 and 2009) and was named All Australian in 2012 and 2015.

He was vice-captain of the Tigers from 2013 to 2016.

After more than a decade with the Tigers, serving as one of the side’s “most important players”, Deledio was traded to GWS at the end of the 2016 season, right before Richmond went on to win their first premiership in 37 years.

In 2019, Deledio began serving as a development coach with the Giants’ AFL Women’s team.

Deledio was carried off the ground following the Giants’ elimination final victory over the Western Bulldogs, after he sustained a calf injury.

Now without a miracle, the veteran star will be forced to watch on from the sidelines as his current team and old side do battle.

Deledio announced last month that he’s decided to call time on his 15-year career, retiring at the end of 2019.

Tim Taranto - No. 14

Sharing a name with the Apulian city of Taranto, the 21-year-old grew up in Melbourne and made his AFL debut with GWS in 2017.

Taranto won a Rising Star nomination in his first season and has become a mainstay of the Giants’ midfield in just two seasons.

The midfielder and his teammate Josh Kelly learned Italian for a semester this year, taking a class once a week while off the field.

Amid grand final preparations, Taranto on Wednesday paid tribute to his mother, Jess, with whom he shares an unbreakable bond.

The young gun claims he wouldn’t be playing in Saturday’s big game if it wasn’t for his mum, who had him when she was just 17 years old.

“She is everything for me, the No.1 support in my life and the main guide and helper for me along the way,” Taranto told The Herald Sun. 

“She is the sole reason I am the person I am today.

“She is only 17 years older than me and I talk to her about everything so I am really grateful for that relationship.”

Taranto remains in frequent contact with his dad Phillip –  almost on a daily basis – who returned to the US when his son was a toddler.

Now living in Dallas, Phillip will touch down in Melbourne today to see his son play on Saturday in front of 100,000 fans at a packed MCG.

Joining his parents in the stands will be grandfather Paul, who Taranto described as a cult figure within the Giants’ sanctum.