Rehearsals for international pop star Katy Perry’s pre-grand final performance will deny the Brisbane Lions the chance to train on the MCG more than once before Saturday’s big game.
The Lions are planning to head down to Melbourne earlier in the week to prepare for their clash with Sydney, and ideally wanted an extra session at the ’G before their captain’s run on Friday.
Katy Perry is returning to the MCG for the AFL grand final. Credit: Joe Armao
However, with the turf needing to be protected and Perry’s need for a rehearsal, the ground will be off-limits for the Lions until after Friday’s grand final parade. An MCC spokeswoman confirmed grand final entertainers always rehearsed on the Thursday before the big day, and Brisbane confirmed they would only have one MCG run, which is normal for grand final teams in other years.
The Lions had hoped they might get an extra session in after their senior coach Chris Fagan put together a presentation earlier in the year on how the league could be more accommodating of interstate clubs travelling to the MCG for the decider.
Suggestions included extra sessions at the MCG as well as support in ticketing and accommodation for players’ families, coaching staff and officials. He revealed the difficulties playing in a Melbourne decider presented for travelling teams last season when the Lions lost to Collingwood in one of the greatest grand finals of the modern era.
The Lions celebrate a crucial Cam Rayner goal in the final term of the preliminary final.Credit: via Getty Images
The difficulties were accentuated when compared with the Victorian clubs’ experience, which Fagan experienced during his time as football manager and assistant with Hawthorn.
This year’s grand final will be the first between two non-Victorian clubs since West Coast played Sydney at the MCG in 2006, although both the Lions and Sydney have connections to foundation clubs Fitzroy and South Melbourne.
Both the Brisbane Lions and Sydney have played three times at the MCG this season for two wins apiece. They have never played against each other at the MCG, although Fitzroy played the Sydney Swans there in the 1986 first semi-final.
