The 102 year-old is excited about the start of the season but jokes that snubbing herself and her fellow magpie supporters within Warrnambool's Mercy Place had to stop.

"We'd rather sit on our own though," she said.

This is of course part of the pre-season jest that has begun at the Hopetoun Road address.

In the lead up to the start of the 2019 season, Norma Riddle joined her century-old mates dressing in her team colours for the first game on Thursday.

Mrs Riddle was joined by fellow football fans Kath Harney and Annie Brown.

Mrs Harney who turns 100 in June, is a passionate Carlton supporter, Mrs Brown is an avid Geelong supporter.

"I have six children who were all Carlton supporters until some of them married Collingwood supporters," Mrs Harney said.

"Now I want them to win when we play them because I want the grandchildren to be happy."

After moving from the family farm in Garvoc five years ago, Mrs Harney has maintained her love of the game.

"I'm keeping my eye on Sam Walsh," she said. "He's a good footballer.

"He's one of a few good new players we've collected."

Travelling with her from the farm to Mercy Place was Mrs Harney's garden gnome, former Carlton ruckman John Nicholls.

"We've had him for about 30 years," she said. "He was bought for my husband by the family."

The Nicholls gnome now sits in the garden at Warrnambool's Mercy Place.

Despite her confidence in her beloved blues, Mrs Harney said she tipped against her side this weekend, choosing Richmond to win.

"We're just rebuilding at the moment," she said.

She said the Mercy Place tipping competition was quite competitive.

"My word it is."

For Cats supporter Annie Brown a tight game would kickstart the season positively.

"We're just warming up so a close game would be good."

Mercy Place Lifestyle coordinator Beverly Stutchbury said a trophy and shield had been awarded to the winner of the tipping competition for the past five years.

"It has become very competitive and they all want to win," she said.