With so much of the Grand Final ticketing allocation going to corporate partners rather than supporters, fans need more ways to get close to their team during the build-up to the big game.
I’ve worked office jobs in both the Melbourne and Sydney, and I’ve noticed a lack of atmosphere in the Harbour City’s CBD around Grand Final time. It just feels like there’s something missing – and you only need to look at Melbourne’s AFL Grand Final Parade at lunch time on Friday to see what the missing link could be.
Sure, the idea of a parade might seem corny. Perhaps the notion of marching bands and baton twirlers don’t belong in this decade (or this hemisphere). The Grand Final Parade in Melbourne, though, draws big crowds each year, especially when two local teams take the big stage.
If you were an alien that landed on George Street in late September, you would be forgiven for not knowing that an NRL Grand Final was around the corner. There would be very little evidence at street level to say that you were in the Rugby League HQ.
Zip down to Swanston Street in Melbourne in your UFO, and it would be a completely different story. Coloured banners would proudly adorn the entrance to Flinders Street Station, street performers would toot club theme songs on their horns.
Land your UFO at just the right time in Melbourne, and you’ll encounter another foreign curiosity – the AFL Grand Final Parade.
The parade down Swanston Street regularly draws impressive crowds of over 100,000 people – just as many as you’d expect to flow through the turnstiles on Saturday for the game.
The real beauty of the parade, though, is that many people who attend would be supporters that couldn’t get their hands on tickets. They get to see the players up close and in the flesh, even though they will be watching from afar on their TV the next day.
So the question must be asked, could a Grand Final Parade work down George Street? And even if it worked logistically, would anyone even show up?
Sydney is a big, dispersed city – and so are its rugby league clubs. Perhaps the Grand Final Parade is a quaint idea for a quaint city like Melbourne; not a big global gateway like Sydney.
But just remember, while you sit in your air conditioned corporate box at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night, someone out there never even had a shot at getting tickets to the big game, and maybe never will. A Sydney Grand Final Parade could just make some kid’s day.
Bee Bee
Guest
Sydney loves parades. No being trundled along in cars though. Players must dance to Y.M.C.A.....
Australian Rules
Guest
no it's not
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Not being fixated with a professional sport is normal behaviour.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
On hols on the GC ,have seen more than a fair share of Bulldogs and Storm regalia worn by fans.In addition to Cowboys,Sharks,Eels and Dragons .Souths followers everywhere up here. The GF is a sellout,and unwanted tickets will be scooped up.Hard to visualise any problem. Scoop!! No Storm gear in the Eastern Suburbs."Code in crisis". Walk regularly with mates on Sunday mornings on the Eastern Suburbs beachfronts,Rabbitoh' s and Roosters caps seen regularly.Even Mr Meriton with his Tiger's cap.Demographics!!!!!!!
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
What are you talking about? Tickets are still available through ticketek. Appear to be just single seats only, but anyone can get online and buy one.
soapit
Guest
why would there be anything for the storm in sydney?
clipper
Guest
Matt S - this may be the difference between the two cities. Melbourne fans will go because it is the GF, Sydney fans will go because their team is playing in the GF
teecee
Guest
Tix to AFL GF are almost impossible to obtain by the common man. Especially given the farce that is MCC & AFL memberships. I can have an MCC or AFL membership and never go to a game all year but have priority access to GF tix. Or you could by an AFL promoted package ticket of $1400 to get a seat, a bit of lunch and a free Sherrin football made for 12c by a 7 Year old Indian child.
Matt_S
Roar Pro
Clipper, it seems the Swans have a few thousand ex South Melbourne supporters based down there that would still drive ticket sales. Contrast that to the Storm, once they made the GF, thousands of Souths/other club members want to offload their tiks. My original group of 4, 3 opted out, weren't even bothered to sell their tickets but I was determined to go regardless and now have the opportunity to take 3 victorian novices to their first GF.
clipper
Guest
plenty of ticks - that's amazing. Just looked it up 461 NRL tickets for sale and in contrast 28 entries for AFL tickets for sale - but they are just about all for people wanting tickets apart from someone wanting $800 for their ticket.
plenty of ticks
Guest
No not level 6. Lower level bay 114 and parking. And ive listed them for $100 less than i paid.
Matt_S
Roar Pro
The buy back system is a farce with the date of c;osing before both GF teams are known. I know heaps of Souths supporters who bought tickets way back that are trying to offload. league is tribal and most couldn't ccare less about the GF as an évent'. They just want to see their teams play. The GF is sold out but how many won't be able to offload their tickets, and decides to go, remains to be seen.
Go warriors
Guest
Lucan it is very hard to get tickets. Basicly tickets go on sale about 4 weeks before the grand final and they are usually sold out within a couple of days. If you want to wait to see if your team makes the grand final as I did last year it is an absolute nightmare. The only way is to go on ebay and buy tickets from fans whose teams did not make it.
planko
Guest
YES
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Level 6 tickets? If so I am better off watching it at home than sitting up there.
Deedzy
Guest
It is school holidays in Melbourne and the parade is a chance for the kids to see their heros. Not only the fans of the 2 clubs go and it's a great introduction for kids to get involved in the AFL. This is where the future is for the AFL.
clipper
Guest
You could be on to something there teecee. Driving through Canterbury, Padstow etc there is a smattering of blue and white, but driving through the inner city or eastern suburbs, I have yet to come across the same combination and nothing of the Storm anywhere. Souths, Easts and Balmain have inner city bases, so I don't know if your other theory holds up.
teecee
Guest
I have lived in Sydney & Melbourne. The main difference I think is the suburban support. I bet in places like Bankstown, Revesby, Padstow etc there will be shops filled with decorations etc.. and a decent vibe in those shiopping precincts. However here in Melbourne, becuase the majority of AFL clubs have inner city bases (Carlton, Collingwood, Fitzrory, Hawthorn etc) it is natural to do something in the CBD.
plenty of ticks
Guest
Tickets! Ive had mine for sale on ebay for 5 days at a reduced price and cant even get a bid, theres 14 pages of them for sale on there. It seems people cant give them away. Its no sell out i can assure you and there will be lots of empty seats. The NRL by back scheme is a farce.
soapit
Guest
can we just try and not copy every idea from every sport around the world. let em have their parade, its something different for them.