Published 7 October 2013, by Jess
AFL is the Australian Football League, our countrys National sport and one I happen to absolutely love! The AFL Grand Final is the equalivant to the NFL Super Bowl in terms of it is the final game that decides who is the champion of AFL for that year. In comparison to the Super Bowl it is on a much much smaller scale, however this was the best example I could give to provide a better understanding.
Flights
$1000 each return with Qantas from Perth.
The earlier you book flights, the cheaper they are. I know of people who flew via Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore & Hong Kong to Melbourne and their flights were cheaper than a direct flight to Melbourne.
Last minute tickets, if you could get on the flights were around $1500 return.
I also know people who paid approximately $800 return to Adelaide and then drove a car to Melbourne.
The Week Lead Up for 2014
There is a lot on in Melbourne in the lead up to the AFL Grandfinal, never a dull moment.
Federation Square during Grand Final week
Sunday – 21st September 2014
VFL Grandfinal at Ethihad Stadium
Monday – 22nd September 2014
10am – The Brownlow Medal panel and fashion parade at Federation Square.
5pm – Red carpet presentation at Crown followed by the Brownlow Medal Count
Tuesday – 23rd September 2014
10am – Auskick where the kids enjoy activities at Federation Square, meet players and stars from the NAB AFL Rising Star program.
Wednesday – 24th September 2014
Live Music in Federation Square at Noon
Variety Great Grandfinal Luncheon at Crown Palladium
Thursday – 25th September 2014
12.30pm – AFL Premiership Cup on display at Federation Square
Noon – 9pm – Grand Final experience at Crown Riverside
The AFL Footy Show spectacular at Rod Laver Arena
Friday – 26th September 2014
Players and coaches.
Noon – Parade makes its way through the city from Victorian Arts Centre (St Kilda Road) travelling along Swanston and Collins Streets before finishing at the OldTreasuryBuilding (Spring and Collins)
Jarrad Roughead – Hawthorn
Paul Duffield – Fremantle
Lance “Buddy” Franklin – Hawthorn
Luke McPharlin – Fremantle
Saturday – 27th September 2014
Grandfinal at the MCG
2:30pm Live on the Big Screen at Federation Square the AFL Grandfinal
The Home of the AFL Grandfinal – the MCG
AFL Grand Final Breakfast/Ticket Package
$1795 + credit card fees & postage fees = $1826 (Silver seating at the game)
The breakfast was sponsored by CGU and ran for approximately 2 hours.
Hosted by Tim Watson
Entertainment included Daryl Braithwaite, Mike Brady, Rusty and the Other Guy & Vince Sorrenti.
Panel of footy experts including; Brian Taylor, Billy Brownless, Jobe Watson, Matthew Lloyd, Matthew Richardson, Jonathan Brown, Cameron Ling, Luke Darcy and Danny Frawley.
Tables of 10 were set up with beer and champagne all inclusive. The actual breakfast included fruit, danishes, croissants, muffins and Eggs Benedict.
Other breakfasts of interest are the North Melbourne Breakfast held at Etihad Stadium. I’m told this is extremely well done & one of the better breakfasts.
Each of the football clubs hold breakfast for anyone to attend. Contact the individual clubs for details.
AFL Tickets
8000 tickets are released and sold on the day of the AFL Grandfinal.
Tickets can also be sold through ballot systems from each team playing in the Grand Final.
AFL Members and other members can also buy tickets.
The AFL Grandfinal
What a spectacular experience, and now I can finally say I’ve seen one.
I attended the 2013 AFL Grandfinal where the Hawthorn Hawks were victorious over the Fremantle Dockers.
This was the Dockers first appearance in a Grand Final since entering the competition 19 years ago.
The ground was filled with each of the teams colours, wherever you looked yellow & purple were everywhere and the atmosphere was electric. Being somewhat of a neutral supporter it was fantastic to see these two teams battle it out.
I was cheering on the Fremantle Dockers for two reasons;
1. My Dad was a Fremantle Dockers member since the club joined the competition in 1995 attending every home game and even a few games in Melbourne. Unfortunately in 2008 he passed away and never lived to see Fremantle make a Grand Final. My family & I always said that if Fremantle ever made the Grand Final, we would make the trip in my Dads honour (hopefully next time they can come away with the win for him).
2. Being a proud West Australian, when my team The West Coast Eagles aren’t playing, I always support the Fremantle Dockers. I grew up in a house of Fremantle supporters and that’s just the way our family is, support WA before other clubs.
The players lined up for the National Anthem
Pre-game entertainment at the 2013 AFL Grand Final was ‘The Birds of Tokyo’, a well known Australian band from Perth, Western Australia. All players who retire from the game that season are also given a lap of honour along with the Winner of the Brownlow Medal and the Winner of the Rising Star for that year.
Half-time entertainment included ‘The Hunters and Collectors’ and ‘Mike Brady’.
The MCG is a fantastic venue, lines for drinks and food were minimal and quick and exiting the arena was relatively fast and flowed. The MCG is also the place where the line for the mens bathroom was bigger than the womens line, there’s a first for everything!
Whether your team is at the AFL Grand Final or not, it’s well worth the experience.
Another thing to ticket off my bucket list!
Passport 2 the World 