RICHMOND will today carry the hopes and dreams of long-suffering fans into the AFL Grand Final with the chance of ending a 37-year premiership drought.
Authorities expect so many fans to flock to the MCG, Richmond and Punt Rd Oval that they are considering shutting down Punt Rd and Swan St to all traffic following the Tigers’ clash with Adelaide. Tigerland is set to become party central as Richmond supporters toast their first Grand Final appearance since 1982 and a chance to win their first flag since 1980.
— THIS WEEKEND: Souvenir Grand Final edition of the Sunday Herald Sun with historic 32 page wrap
— Scroll down for the latest updates on weather, entertainment, security, parking and how to the MCG
Police will be out in force, launching a security blitz in and around the MCG and installing bollards on roads leading to the ground in response to global terror fears.
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin said the Tigers were primed for the occasion.
“We’ve worked hard for the opportunity to play,’’ he said.
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SECURITY
POLICE don’t expect a terror or security threat at Saturday’s AFL Grand Final in Melbourne but they will be out in force on the day anyway.
Victoria Police will deploy thousands of police officers across the state and around Melbourne to keep fans safe, Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville says.
“There is absolutely no advice or evidence to suggest there is any terrorism risk for this Grand Final,” Ms Neville told reporters.
Meanwhile, police officers patrolling the outskirts of the MCG after the grand final will have the power to shut down roads to cars if crowds misbehave.
Victoria Police announced a blitz on drivers and pedestrians ahead of the long weekend.
Ms Neville said the preference was to keep roads open to allow vehicle and pedestrian flow.
But officers could halt traffic in an emergency or if an unexpected crowd event compromised safety.
WEATHER
FOOTY fans won’t let their spirits be dampened by rain falling during the AFL Grand Final.
Showers will fall on Saturday morning and into the afternoon as it reaches a top of 16C.
There is some chance of rain as the Tigers try to break their 37-year premiership drought.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Stephen King said there was a 30 to 40 per cent chance showers — up to 2mm — would fall during the big game at 2.30pm.
He said the showers would be “annoying” and would not deliver significant rainfall.
Both Richmond and Adelaide have played well in wet weather this year.
Fans heading into the ‘G before the match may be caught in a light shower, while those hanging around to see The Killers should be in the clear.
TRANSPORT
FREE tram rides will be run from the CBD to MCG for this weekend’s clash between the Tigers and Crows.
The Free Tram Zone will be extended to get people to their pre-match celebrations from Wednesday 27 running until after the match.
And fares on Grand Final Saturday will be capped to $ 6 to encourage people to take public transport.
Extra services will also be put on over the weekend to help fans get to the pre and post match celebrations, with 41 added train trips on Grand Final Saturday.
The extended Free Tram Zone covers stops on Wellington Parade, at Rod Laver Arena and at the MCG and Hisense Arena.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Las Vegas band The Killers have been confirmed as this year’s Grand Final entertainment.
They will perform as the pre-game entertainment at the MCG before playing again at the “Premiership Party” after the big match on September 30.
Mike Brady will also perform his famous song ‘Up There Cazaly’ before Australia’s 2016 Eurovision contestant Dami Im takes to the stage to sing the national anthem just before the opening bounce.
The Killers may have never watched a game of AFL, but they have definitely seen Meat Loaf’s 2011 trainwreck grand final performance.
“We did see it, I watched it,” lead singer Brandon Flowers told reporters on Thursday.
“Poor Meat Loaf. I feel bad for Meat Loaf.”
The Killers, famous for hits including Mr Brightside and When You Were Young, are excited but nervous to play at footy’s big gig on Saturday when Richmond takes on Adelaide.
“We’re always up for a challenge,” drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jnr said.
The band has assured fans, including AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, that they will play their biggest hits as well as songs from their new album, Wonderful Wonderful.
PARKING
ONE of Melbourne’s great annual sporting traditions has been given the boot amid a ban on parking outside the MCG for the AFL grand final.
The time-honoured MCG car boot barbecue has been given the chop for Saturday due to security and safety concerns, MCC venue and events services general manager Gerard Griffin confirmed.
“There’s no public parking in Yarra Park so as a consequence there’s no option of bringing gas barbecues in,” he said, adding fans could still use fixed cook-tops in the area.
A limited number of spaces will be available for disability permit holders.
Entry will be via Gate 5 on Punt Road from 4.00am and spaces are expected to fill very early.
Public patrons, MCC members and AFL members will need to use public transport to get to the MCG.
The unavailability of public parking also means that fans will not be able to drive into Yarra Park and set-up a portable barbecue before the game.
Public barbecues in the park near Jolimont Station and Punt Road Oval will still be operational.
MCC has partnered with CBD car park operator Le Garage at 114 Flinders Street to offer fans $ 8 parking on grand final day if they scan their event ticket or membership card at the pay station.
Footy fans who plan on driving to the match can also book parking at Melbourne and Olympic Park.
TIME GATES OPEN
The MMC Reserve gates open at 8am, while the AFL Reserve and public gates open at 9.30am.
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