Olympic boxer Harry Garside, rising athletics star Gout Gout and Giants skipper Toby Greene will be involved in the 2025 Grand Final Sprint under a new-look format.
Gout will fire the starter gun for the half-time race between only eight participants and seven from AFL clubland.
That includes Greene, Collingwood’s reigning winner Beau McCreery, Sydney’s Nick Blakey, Gold Coast’s Jed Walter, Richmond’s Maurice Rioli, St Kilda’s Jack Higgins and Fremantle’s Murphy Reid.
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It marks a change of the traditional format that has featured runners from all 18 clubs and heats leading into the race.
“It would’ve been great to be playing on Saturday but I’m excited to be part of the biggest day on the AFL calendar racing,“ Greene said in a statement via the AFL.
“Can’t wait to go up against Harry, and hopefully the boys can impress Gout!”
Gout, who was originally rumoured to be taking part in the sprint, comes fresh off a fourth-placed finish the 200m semi-final at the Tokyo World Athletics Championship.
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“I’m super excited to be coming to Melbourne for the Grand Final in September and firing the start pistol for the half-time sprint,” Gout said in an AFL statement earlier this month.
“First time for me… and I hope I’ll be cheering on the Lions! The AFL Grand Final is such a massive day, I’m pumped!”
The junior club of the winner of this year’s race will be awarded $5,000.
The grand final sprint was first held in 1979 and has been a consistent part of the biggest day on the AFL calendar since 2002.
Geoff Ablett, uncle of AFL legend Gary, holds the record for the most wins with four.
2025 Grand Final Sprint participants
Maurice Rioli (Richmond)
Jed Walter (Gold Coast Suns)
Toby Greene (GWS Giants)
Beau McCreery (Collingwood)
Nick Blakey (Sydney)
Jack Higgins (St Kilda)
Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
Harry Garside
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