The biggest day on the AFL calendar is here and it’s time for the 2023 premiership cup to be lifted by either the Collingwood Magpies or Brisbane Lions.
Around 100,000 footy fans are expected to file into the famous MCG on a steaming hot day in Melbourne for the Grand Final.
Here is your last minute guide to the AFL’s biggest day:
What time is the first bounce:
The first bounce is at 2:30pm at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (AEST).
For those watching from Western Australia, the game will begin at 12:30pm (AWST) while anyone turning in from the Northern Territory or South Australia will need to watch from 2pm (ACST).
Who’s playing?
Collingwood is coming up against Brisbane with the Magpies winning the minor premiership ahead of the Lions in second.
The last time these two teams met in a Grand Final was in 2003 when Brisbane came out on top.
This year Brisbane has beaten Collingwood twice in round four (116-83) and in round 23 (124-100).
What happens if there is a draw?
Traditionally, if there was a draw in the Grand Final the two teams would be forced to come back a week later and play out another entire game to decide the premiership winner.
Luckily for fans the concept was dropped in 2016 so this year there will be extra time guaranteeing a result on Saturday.
The process for a draw is as follows:
At the final siren a six minute break will be given to the teams to regroup.
The teams will change ends then two additional periods of three minutes will be played out (plus time on).
The siren will sound at the end of the first period and the teams will swap ends and immediately begin the second period.
At the end of the second period the siren will sound and the team ahead will be declared the winner.
If scores are still tied then the two periods will continue to be played until a team is ahead at the end of the second period.
Clubs are given 10 interchanges for the two periods of time excluding the substitute.
Runners are allowed onto the field during a stoppage or when a goal is scored and at the conclusion of the three minute periods.
Who won the Grand Final last year?
The Geelong Cats thumped the Sydney Swans last year 133-52.
This year the Cats were unable to replicate their season finishing 12th while the Swans ended eighth on the ladder.
Who is the pre-game entertainment?
American rock ‘n’ roll superstars KISS are the pre-match entertainment.
Midway through their world tour they iconic rockers stopped in at the MCG to belt out their hit songs Rock And Roll All Nite and I Was Made For Lovin’ You.
What are the conditions like?
Melbourne is sweltering with temperatures at 29C about 30 minutes before kick off.
The current temperature makes the 2023 Grand Final the fourth hottest decider Melbourne has ever hosted.
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