I stepped off the tram at 3.30pm on Grand Final day, making my way to South Melbourne for an obligatory Grand Final barbecue with an eerie silence in the streets. With the sun shining at 29 degrees, the usual hustle and bustle of South Melbourne was unusually quiet.
The question on my mind was simple: where had everyone gone? Walking past pubs, bars, and restaurants, the answer became clear. Every establishment was packed to the rafters, with patrons’ eyes glued to the screens.
The AFL Grand Final during the day isn’t just a game; it’s an Australian cultural phenomenon. No matter where you are on the last Saturday in September, it’s a day to gather with loved ones, whether at a barbecue, a family home, or a local pub to watch the footy. It’s a sacred ritual, the very essence of Grand Final day culture.
Darcy Moore celebrates Collingwood’s 2023 premiership win. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
The day starts early for many. Some place their bets, others fire up the barbecue and for the fortunate 100,000, it’s a Grand Final breakfast or an early journey to join the throngs heading into the G.
Once the final siren sounds, Melbourne comes alive. Regardless of team loyalties or even a lack of interest in the sport, the city celebrates. Streets are filled, lines for venues stretch around blocks, and barbecues transform into dinner parties. Families with children can get the kids home at a reasonable hour, whilst others can rest and recuperate, or continue the festivities.
Yet, there’s a looming shadow over this tradition – the proposal to change the Grand Final from its 2.30PM slot to a twilight or evening game. This shift might satisfy TV executives hungry for ratings or provide for a better pre-game spectacle but these crowds gather for the football, not the entertainment.
According to the most recent AFL Fans Association (AFLFA) survey, a staggering 73% of fans want the Grand Final to remain in the afternoon. The game belongs to these fans, the dedicated supporters who show up every week, regardless of their team’s performance.
Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury celebrate a Collingwood goal. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Ask the general public, and the sentiment likely remains consistent. Grand Final day is beyond the fans. The day belongs to everyone. From those not interested in the footy to those lucky enough to witness their team have the ultimate success. A quick scroll on social media reflects the diversity in the celebrations on Grand Final day. From tourists uninterested in the sport, to newcomers to the sport, to the diehards who support their team week in, week out.
The day belongs to the public. The day brings people together.
In the heart of Melbourne as the suns begins its slow descent and the streets eagerly await for anticipation, Grand Final day stands aside as a day of unity. It’s not just about the footy, it’s about community, about tradition and about a shared experience. A cultural phenomenon that’s strictly Australian.
The day is one about celebration, from as far north as Broome to the bustling streets of South Melbourne. It’s one day where differences are set aside and the attention turns to heroes and villains on TV screens, an experience shared across decades.
It’s day that belongs to everyone. From the newly arrived backpacker to the diehard fan. A day Grand Final unites Australians in the language of sport and changing that would be a shame.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
As a Sydney sider who attended in person the Sydney AFL GF, the SANFL League GF and the AFL GF (family members playing in the first 2 and pies supporter for the 3rd), it is a very different experience in Melbourne that should be maintained. Agree it’s harder for interstate teams if they don’t play regularly at the mcg and that should be addressed. Certainly my fly in and out in a day wouldn’t be happening if it was a twilight game …and finally fireworks in the day are really lame but that’s no reason to move to the night.????
Frodo
Roar Rookie
Take your point but you don't build a 100 000 seat stadium that only gets filled once every 2/3/4/ whatever years either.
RT
Roar Rookie
The article is about a day Grand Final.
Gary
Roar Rookie
As others have mentioned, the AFL public would benefit from rotating the GF out to other cities every second year. The guaranteed home ground advantage and the magnitude in cost difference for travelling fans will continue to taint the GF. Also, i think rising temperature could be the next card to play in the quest to push back the timeslot.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
May not be enough time to prepare for a grand final event on seven days notice. Why not Melbourne every second year and rotate every other year amongst the other four states. A bit luck of the draw with home ground advantage but such is life.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
The game would become truly National and grow even more if the grand final was rotated and played outside Victoria every second year. The MCG can hold 100,000 people argument is so short sighted and while may be financially beneficial in the short term is detrimental to the sports long term growth. And try starting the game at 3:30, less time for shadows at the MCG which is awful for tv viewing and gives us more time to do other activities earlier in the day and prepare for the afternoon.
XI
Roar Guru
Tradition for tradition's sake is the worst reasoning possible. It's an absurd claim that if the Grand Final were played in another city then Melbourne would just stop paying attention. And if that were true that just proves they need to not have a monopoly on it any more. Also the reason why there isn't a stadium big enough to hold it outside Melbourne is because it's always held in Melbourne. You don't build something to host an event you can't hold.
Bretto
Roar Rookie
While I love the grand final being at the G, there is no doubt it favors the Vic teams and especially the teams based there. It would be hard to argue against the GF being held at the home ground of the highest finishing team that makes the GF. Totally unfair for a WC, Brisbane, Port, or Adelaide to finish top and then play the GF at the home ground of a team that finished under them.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Good article. One only has to go to Sydney when the NRL Grand Final is on to see how unique & fantastic the AFL Grand Final as a day event is.
mrl
Roar Rookie
Play it in New Zealand or China...they certainly took to it.
Sanctorum
Roar Rookie
I live interstate but am totally opposed to playing the GF anywhere but the MCG, the home of AFL football. Nowhere else in Australia is there a stadium that will hold 100,000+ spectators. I went to the 3 GFs in 2009/2010 and although disappointed with the Saints failing to win a second premership, the buildup to all 3 games was electric, the whole city was vibrant with the teams colours and the atmosphere in and around the G was something to behold, there's nothing remotely like it and that can't be replicated in an interstate city!
George Apps
Roar Rookie
No it isn't. The main reason I disliked Covid shutdowns was because games were taken from Victoria to Brisbane! And as for moving the Grand Final to nightime, forget it, it will never fly, even with the money hungry AFL wanting it to be.
Johnnymac
Roar Rookie
It’s time for the national game to be played away from Melbourne once every 4 years. If we want to grow the game it’s time to grow up . Just a thought and I enjoyed your article