Former Melbourne footballer Jordie McKenzie on whether Demons will deploy tagger in 2021 AFL grand final

Terang Mortlake export Jordie McKenzie, who spent seven seasons at the Demons, said any player asked to nullify the Western Bulldogs' match-winners would be on edge.

"I'd be pretty nervous, I'll give you the hot tip," he laughed when speaking to The Standard in the lead-up to Saturday's decider.

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"(If it was me tagging) hopefully it would've been on someone who is not too quick because it was never a strength of mine. They'd run rings around me."

McKenzie, who played for the club between 2009-15 and alongside grand final-bound players such as Max Gawn, Tom McDonald, Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw and Christian Petracca, said the Bulldogs were laden with talent.

"They have got plenty of stars. I know James Harmes often goes to 'Libba' (Tom Liberatore) because he's so good around the footy but then you've got Bailey Smith on a wing who is kicking goals and (Marcus) Bontempelli who nearly won the Brownlow," he said.

"I don't think either team does hard tagging because they are so star-studded and don't want to take away too much from their own structures.

"It is a tough decision to be made and who knows, if one of the superstars on either team starts getting away from the other team then there could be changes made throughout the game but I'd be surprised if any team went the hard tag from the start.

"But if it is (implemented) it's always good to match."

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McKenzie, 31, remains invested in the Demons' cause, saying "getting a win would mean the world to me".

The Elwood-based credit analyst, who is an assistant coach at VAFA club Collegians under former Melbourne teammate Jared Rivers, said the club had endured "dark times" and had worked hard to turn the tables.

"The success at the moment is great reward for everyone involved and for everyone who has been involved in the past as well is taking some great joy from it," he said.

"It was up and down and there was not a heap of success (when I was there) but I did enjoy it.

"Melbourne gave me an opportunity to live out a childhood dream and play at the highest level.

"I made great friendships. I didn't leave bitter. It holds a special place in my heart."

McKenzie spent time in the SANFL and then returned to the Hampden league to play for Terang Mortlake before concussion concerns forced him to retire.

He said his journey from the south-west to pinnacle was rewarding.

"There were a few years where we'd win 10 to 11 games which is not going to give you a crack at finals but there's euphoric feeling of winning an AFL game," McKenzie said.

"There was a few exciting ones and a few good Friday night wins and it makes all the hard work and dedication all worth it, to celebrate those type of wins at the highest level with your mates.

"To play Queen's Birthday in multiple years in front of 90,000 or almost 100,000 people is just a surreal experience. It was a massive thrill and I still pinch myself I was lucky enough to get that opportunity."

In an ideal world McKenzie would be soaking up grand final week in Melbourne and "wandering to the MCG".

But the state's coronavirus restrictions mean the match will be played at Perth's Optus Stadium and McKenzie will be watching on TV.

"I am looking forward to getting home (when restrictions ease) and having a few pots at Joel Crawley's pub, the middle pub, in Terang," he said.

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