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It’s an AFL grand final like never before, and not just because it will be at night. The Gabba will host the season-defining clash between the Richmond Tigers and Geelong Cats, but there will still be a schedule of pre-game entertainment. With grand final day looking more different than ever before, check out The Roar’s full guide to ensure you don’t miss any of the action.
The grand final itself will see the first bounce at 7:30pm (AEDT) using the yellow Sherrin for the first time ever but the day’s many festivities will get going long before the Tigers and Cats begin to slug it out.
» AFL grand final live scores: Follow all the Richmond vs Geelong action
With the Gabba to be at a reduced capacity of 30,000 owing to COVID-19 regulations, tickets have officially already sold out for the game – however, should either Richmond or Geelong fail to fully sell their 27 per cent members’ allotment each, those remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public at 12pm local time on grand final day.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, many Grand Final traditions have been removed from the schedule for 2020, including the Under 18s All-Star curtain-raiser and the motorcade of retiring players.
However, there will still be pre-match entertainment, with the hour before the game to feature rock band DMA’s, Wolfmother frontman Andrew Stockdale, Brisbane-based group Cub Sport, and Indigenous electronic duo Electric Fields featuring Thelma Plum and Busby Marou.
The Seven Network’s broadcast will begin at 6:30pm (AEDT) with the entertainment, before switching at 7pm to focus on pre-game coverage.
The teams will then enter the Gabba for their final warm-ups at 7:10pm (AEDT), before linking up for the national anthem four minutes before the bounce. Captains Trent Cotchin and Joel Selwood will then meet for the coin toss with two minutes to go.
With the AFL having shortened its quarters to 16 minutes plus time-on for the 2020 season, the first quarter is scheduled to finish at around 7:55pm (AEDT). During the break, the much-loved grand final sprint will take place.
This year, only eight competitors will be taking their marks – St Kilda’s Bradley Hill, Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron, Adelaide’s Ben Keays, Geelong’s Jordan Clark, Gold Coast’s Ben Ainsworth, Collingwood’s Josh Thomas, Richmond’s Bigoa Nyuon and Port Adelaide’s Xavier Duursma – with only once race in lieu of two pre-match heats featuring players from all AFL clubs.
Should the game go according to schedule, the halftime siren will sound at around 8:28pm (AEDT). Then, for the first time since 2013, there will be a half-time show, with Queensland indie pop band Sheppard to take the stage.
The grand final will recommence at 8:48pm (AEDT), and assuming there is no extra time, the final siren will be at 9:46pm (AEDT), with the post-match presentation to follow shortly afterwards.
4:45pm – All Gabba gates open
6:30pm – Seven Network coverage begins; final teams confirmed
6:31pm – Pre-match entertainment commences
6:40pm – Welcome to Country
6:42pm – Electric Fields/Thelma Plum/Busby Marou/Queensland Symphony Orchestra
6:47pm – Past Players Video Tribute with Mike Brady, QSO Orchestra & Choir
6:52pm – Cub Sport, followed by DMA’s, followed by Andrew Stockdale
7:11pm – Umpires enter field
7:13pm – Geelong enter field
7:15pm – Richmond enter field
7:25pm – Premiership Cup given to presenters Ash Barty and Ian Nankervis
7:26pm – National anthem performed by Tim McCallum and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra
7:28pm – Coin toss
7:30pm – AFL grand final starts
7:55pm* – Quarter time
7:59pm* – Grand final sprint
8:03pm* – Second quarter starts
8:28pm* – Halftime
8:33pm* – Halftime entertainment: Sheppard
8:55pm* – Third quarter starts
9:20pm* – Three-quarter time
9:28pm* – Fourth quarter starts
9:53pm* – Final siren
10:04pm* – Post-match presentation
All times AEDT (Sydney/Melbourne time).
* Denotes approximate time only
Note – all times are subject to change. Times in game will depend on actual quarter length and any possible extra time required should scores be level at full-time. The quarter-time and three quarter time breaks will both be eight minutes, and halftime 20, regardless of game length..
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