The Melbourne Cricket Ground (AFL) during an AFL game. Picture: stock/Pixabay
Melbourne’s AFL Grand Final Parade now has a new route through the Melbourne Park and MCG precinct.
On Tuesday, Victoria’s Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos joined three-time premiership player Jack Riewoldt in announcing the new route.
The parade will “centre bounce” off at 10:30am on Friday, September 27 (Victoria’s Grand Final Eve public holiday).
Beginning at Melbourne Park Oval, the parade will wind its way through the park via Tanderrum Bridge to Birrarung Marr, across William Barak Bridge to the MCG and finish at the free Footy Festival in Yarra Park.
Australian Football League CEO Andrew Dillon says the change will deliver better views for spectators.
“Each year we are looking to deliver a more fan and family friendly event and create better viewing opportunities for the … parade goers who are enjoying the grand final week festivities and the public holiday in Victoria,” he says.
“The new route through Melbourne Park Precinct, Birrarung Marr into the Footy Festival creates more viewing opportunities and allows more people to cheer on their favourite players as the … vehicles go past.”
Mr Dimopoulos says the change of route will improve the live experience.
“This year’s Grand Final Parade will be bigger and better, with unmatched access to players and coaches, right in the heart of the sporting capital,” he says.
‘’Grand Final Eve is a fantastic opportunity for families to come together and celebrate everything that makes the AFL Grand Final such an important event for our state.”
At the park, a stage will be put up on the western side of the oval with a screen for a live telecast of the grand final.
The festival in Yarra Park starting from Wednesday, September 25, will feature an ice rink.
There will also be seven AFL Women’s clashes ahead of the Grand Final, with matches at Punt Road, Windy Hill, Kardinia Park, Swinburne Centre, Ikon Park, RSEA Park and Whitten Oval.
