Some like sandwiches, while others keep things flexible.
Ahead of the Storm's preliminary final with the Broncos, pan66.com spoke to Melbourne senior men Will Chambers, Jessie Bromwich and Billy Slater about their routines leading up to game day. Their responses varied as much as their personalities.
"I'm stuck in a routine," said Chambers.
"When I was coming through as younger, Stephen Kearney and Michael Maguire were the assistant coaches, and they used to always say to me, 'get your preparation right and everything else takes care of itself'. Stephen Kearney helped me when I was really young about playing consistent footy and getting my preparation right.
"Now it's very boring, I know exactly what I'm going to do days leading into a game. It's sort of helped. You can't ever blame your preparation if it is always the same. That's what Steve told me and just got into a routine and a habit that's worked for me.
"I've sort of become anal about it but that's life. It drives my wife up the wall at times, but its how it is."
Bromwich is a relaxed character and his routine reflects this.
"The bigger the game, the more simple you should keep your mindset," Bromwich said.
"It's all about effort and preparation. If you prepare well, and put in a lot of effort on the weekend, hopefully you play well. I don't think that changes for games, I don't think you should be getting overawed by the occasion either.
"I'm not one of those guys who has a set routine. I purposely did that so I didn't have to do the same thing every week.
"I know guys like Dale (Finucane) and that eat a certain amount of sandwiches before every game, and sleep three hours before a game, something crazy like that."
Veteran fullback Billy Slater verified Finucane's eating habits but keeps it light before a big match.
"I try and eat relatively light on game day," Slater said.
"Dale likes to eat a loaf of bread, but I'm only a couple of slices. I have a routine but I'm not stuck to it or superstitious. I generally like to feel light and feel good and hopefully my preparation during the week will give me confidence going into the game."