Origin flavour to AFL grand final as Melbourne gears up for big day

THERE will be a State of Origin flavour to the 2024 AFL Grand Final with the Brisbane Lions to meet the Sydney Swans this Saturday (September 28) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Swans were the first through with a 14.11(95) to 8.11(59) win over Port Adelaide at the Sydney Cricket ground on Friday, September 20.

The Lions secured a 14.11 (95) win over Geelong 12.13(85) at the MCG on Saturday, September 21, to ensure there is no Victorian presence in the sport’s biggest day of the year.

Meanwhile, the Victorian Government will extend its free tram zone and put on extra services as the state gears up for footy finals.

Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams says that from this Wednesday, September 25, the free tram zone will extend to the MCG along routes 48, 70 and 75 to allow passengers to attend the Footy Festival at Yarra Park.

“With footy finals and the Melbourne Royal Show coming to town, we are delivering extra train and tram services to get you there,” she says.

“We encourage everyone to plan ahead and take public transport to the ‘G or the show.”

For the AFL Grand Final eve public holiday this Friday (September 27), all public transport will run to a Saturday timetable with 47 extra train services operating, along with extra tram services on Flinders Street, for the parade.

On Saturday (September 38), there will be 56 train services added to Metropolitan lines, 16 before the first bounce and 40 after the final siren.

Extra trams will operate on routes 12, 48, 70 and 75 along Collins and Flinders streets, with extra services on the V/Line network.

AFL Queensland will once put on live activities and telecast at Brisbane’s South Bank parklands, outside the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, starting from this Wednesday.

A live telecast of the big game will be held in the same area.

Passengers can plan their journey by visiting ptv.vic.gov.au or vline.com.au.