Collingwood and Brisbane fans players have been left gobsmacked by fan support at the 2023 AFL Grand Final parade as the footy world lapped up a perfect Melbourne day.
Magpies and Lions players and officials took part in the traditional AFL Grand Final parade, which returned to the streets in 2023 after the Yarra River experiment was dumped after just one year.
Thousands of fans flocked to Melbourne’s sporting precinct and Birrarung Marr to get up close to the players that will grace the MCG turf for Saturday’s AFL Grand Final.
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“It’s off its head … The fans coming out today is just unreal, it’s such a good feeling,” Magpies forward Beau McCreery told Fox Footy.
Asked what’d been his favourite part of Grand Final week, McCreery said: “Right now is pretty dope. But everyone coming to training has been unreal.”
For Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy, it felt like a surreal, full circle moment.
“This is pretty crazy. I used to come here as a kid and it’s something I dreamed of. To be a part of it now, I never thought this would happen. It’s very cool,” Murphy told Fox Footy.
Lions winger Cal Ah Chee, who was traded to Brisbane after starting his career at Gold Coast, told Fox Footy: “I can’t believe it mate. This is just what dreams are made of. I can’ wait. I’ll embrace this then get ready to go to work tomorrow.”
The parade commenced at a second new live site at Melbourne Park Oval (Grand Slam Oval). The route will then followed the banks of theYarra River down to Birrarung Marr, over the walk bridge and into the MCG Yarra Park Precinct, finishing at the AFL’s Footy Festival site.
“It feels pretty awesome,” Magies ball magnet Tom Mitchell told Fox Footy. “Seven years ago (the 2016 Grand Final playing for Sydney) feels like forever ago. Playing in a Granny for Collingwood, it doesn’t get any better.
“It’s pretty loud. We’ve had thousands of fans at every single session , they’ll be there at the G in massive numbers tomorrow and we love the Magpie army.”
Fellow recent recruit Billy Frampton, who comes into the Collingwood side for injured forward Dan McStay, said the parade was an “unbelievable” experience.
“It makes you realise the enormity of the club and what we’re doing here. Hopefully we can get it done for them,” he told Fox Footy.
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WHAT TIME DOES THE AFL GRAND FINAL PARADE START?
The 2023 AFL Grand Final Parade will commence at 10.30am (AEST) on Friday September 29.
HOW CAN I WATCH THE AFL GRAND FINAL PARADE?
You can watch the 2023 AFL Grand Final Parade exclusively on Fox Footy — via Foxtel and Kayo Sports — from 10.30am (AEST).
The coverage will be spearheaded by Sarah Jones, who’ll be joined on the panel by Dermott Brereton and Alastair Lynch. Kath Loughnan and Ben Dixon will be conducting interviews with Lions and Magpies representatives.
WHAT IS THE 2023 GRAND FINAL PARADE ROUTE?
The traditional AFL Grand Final parade will return to the streets in 2023 — and with a new starting position — withy a crowd of more than 100,000 expected to line a revamped parade route.
The parade route will commence at a second live site at Melbourne Park Oval (Grand Slam Oval).
The route will then follow the banks of the river down to Birrarung Marr, over the walk bridge and into the MCG Yarra Park Precinct, finishing at the AFL’s Footy Festival site.
It comes a year after the AFL trialled the use of boats along the Yarra River to start the Grand Final parade — a move that wasn’t well received by fans due to the distance between them and the players.
“Our goal is to deliver a better viewing and overall event experience for fans, families, and passers-by who are out and about enjoying the Grand Final public holiday,” AFL EGM Customer and Commercial Kylie Rogers said.
“The extra live site at Melbourne Park Oval allows another 10,000 to 15,000 fans greater access to take part in the parade.”
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WHO WILL TAKE PART IN THE 2023 AFL GRAND FINAL PARADE?
All Brisbane and Collingwood players, plus coaches Chris Fagan and Craig McRae, are expected to be on the trip.
Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow, as well as the umpires for the game.
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