AFL float blockbuster Grand Final shake-up with parade to switch to Yarra River

After a two-year hiatus, due to Covid, the Grand Final parade will make it’s return to Melbourne on the Friday before the big game … but it could be a vastly different look.

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The parade normally takes over the city as players sit in the back of utes and drive down the main streets, the AFL are looking at changing it up and shifting the parade to the Yarra River.

“I think the context, without being definitive, is we’re continuing to grow and evolve and progress to options that might be a bit more family friendly, (with) sitting on grass, looking a bit different and lead into Yarra Park,” McLachlan said.

“The city at the moment – you have to close sections off and it’s just not as comfortable and the possibilities for inclusion are great, so we’re looking at different stuff.”

Four AFLW matches will coincide with the grand final parade on September 23, starting from 12.40pm and the last one beginning at 7.30pm between Carlton and Melbourne at Ikon Park.

“That Friday before the grand final, whether we’re going down the river (or not), there will be a parade, there will be a footy festival here in Yarra Park starting on the Wednesday and there’s going to be four women’s games going on that afternoon,” McLachlan said.

“So that public holiday, the first grand final back in Melbourne for three years, is going to be massive.”

The potential change to the traditional parade divided opinions among current players with Richmond’s Tom Lynch and Giants Nick Haynes backing the potential change. While Adelaide’s Brodie Smith and Carlton’s Matt Kennedy said it should remain as is.

“I’d love to be floating down the yarra if it means we’re in the grand final,” Lynch said.

Smith said the concept was strange and preferred it to stay with the utes down the main street.

“I do quite like the parade at the moment. The guys get to sit in the ute and whatnot and just embrace all the fans that came to support you and all season,” he said.

Haynes, who experienced the parade three years ago, said it would bring a Moomba-like feel to the grand final celebrations and backed any idea to make the event “more extravagant”.

Haynes even suggested fans could design floats for the players to ride.

AFLW star Darcy Vescio said the changed format could be a good way to entice more fans to get behind the annual September tradition.

“I think anything that gets more fans involved (is a good thing),” they added.

“I think we’ve all missed being able to get out into the community and be part of those big events together.

“(So) if a float down the Yarra is a Covid safe way of doing things, I think why not.”

Originally published as AFL float blockbuster Grand Final shake-up with parade to switch to Yarra River