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PM backs Collingwood to win grand final
By Alex Crowe
Turning now to the AFL grand final breakfast, where the prime minister and opposition are in attendance along with other dignatories.
The annual grand final breakfast got underway at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre about 8.30am, kicking off AFL’s biggest day of the year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told the crowd he is tipping Collingwood to take the flag.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton donned the maroon and gold scarf in support for the Brisbane Lions, seated at the head table alongside the PM, pollies and AFL dignitaries.
AFL chairman Richard Goyder paid tribute to AFL hall of famer, the late Allen Aylett, at South Bank.
Goyder has announced the number one selection at the men’s national draft will be awarded a medal in his honour, recognising his contribution to the development and growth of the game.
Goyder has also paid tribute to the late Ron Barassi’s “massive contribution to the game”.
He said the AFL will work with Barassi’s family to decide the best way to recognise his contribution, and will announce when the tribute will be held early next year
Where to watch the AFL and NRL grand finals in Brisbane
By Nick Dent
The Brisbane Lions will face Collingwood in the 2023 AFL grand final this afternoon.
Pretty much every pub in town will have a screen tuned to the match, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but for the best experience we recommend the spots listed below, including official AFL Queensland live sites.
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan and his players.Credit: Getty Images
Daylight saving kicks in at midnight on Sunday in the southern states, so Sunday’s 2023 NRL grand final between the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers at Sydney’s Accor Stadium will kick off at 6.30pm Queensland time.
The atmosphere will be most electric in the homelands near Suncorp Stadium: at Red Hill and Petrie Terrace.
Eight great Melbourne pubs to watch the AFL grand final at (no bookings required)
By Andrea McGinniss
Looking for somewhere last minut to watch the AFL grand final with atmosphere, authenticity, cold beer and great parmas? A classic Melbourne pub ticks all the boxes. Carn the Pies – or Lions for everyone else – and prepare for cheers, good-natured jeers, spilt beers and the feeling of being part of a passionate tribe united in victory (or defeat) for a few hours.
Here are eight classic pubs, rebooted and ready to give you the ultimate grand final day out (short of actually being at the MCG). Bonus points for not needing a booking, but get there early to avoid disappointment.
The front bar at the London Tavern is steeped in footy history.Credit: Paul Jeffers
The London Tavern, Richmond
Its proximity to the mighty ’G makes this grand old boozer the perfect spot for a De Goey or Daniher debrief before or after the game. But if you didn’t nab a ticket, it’s also a cracking spot to watch the action on the big screens. The beer garden will be the prime viewing spot this sunny Saturday. For a bucket-list footy experience, jostle for a spot among the diehards in the main bar while sipping Carlton Draught and yelling at players who’ll never hear you. Walk-ins only from 9am.
The best-laid plans…
By Karl Quinn
The schedule for grand final day is a finely tuned thing.
It’s as carefully calibrated as any stage show, with acts wheeled on and off in the blink of an eye, and everyone from musicians to retiring stars of the game to umpires and the players themselves having a mark they are expected to hit.
There’s so much scope for something to go wrong it must come as an almighty relief when the game itself finally gets underway.
Here’s what the running order for today looks like:
- 1.27pm William Barton & Jess Hitchcock performance
- 1.30pm Toyota Grand Final Retiree Motorcade
- 1.36pm Mike Brady performance
- 1.42pm Telstra Pre-Match Entertainment – KISS
- 2.11pm Umpire runout and match ball delivery
- 2.13pm Brisbane Lions enter the field
- 2.16pm Collingwood enter the field
- 2.24pm Delivery of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Cup by Josh Kennedy
- 2.25pm Welcome to Country by Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr
- 2.26pm National Anthem performed by Kate Miller-Heidke
- 2.28pm Coin toss
- 2.30pm 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final commences
- Half-time Telstra Half-time entertainment – Mark Seymour & The Undertow with special guest Kate Miller-Heidke
- Post-match – Final siren, followed by the presentation of umpires medals (presented by Glenn James), Norm Smith Medal (presented by Chris Judd), Jock McHale Medal (presented by Mark Thompson), premiership medallions (to be presented by NAB AFL Auskick participants), the Toyota AFL Premiership Cup (presented by a past club great)
Your team’s grand final win rate
If you’re wondering how your team has performed at the grand final, we’ve got you covered.
Check out the stats below:
Good morning
By Caroline Schelle
G’day everyone and welcome to today’s AFL grand final live blog.
I’m Caroline Schelle, and I’ll be keeping you updated this morning.
We have a big day ahead as we count down to the grand final first bounce set for 2.30pm AEST and continue well into the evening and the post game celebrations and commiserations.
Please feel free to leave a comment on the blog and enjoy the hours to come.
