AFL Grand Final Parade: Fans and Players in High Spirits

A sea of fans gathered at Melbourne Park for the AFL grand final parade, undeterred by the threat of rain. The festive atmosphere was palpable as Brisbane and Fremantle players smiled and waved at the thousands of fans.

It was standing room only as the AFL Grand Final parade rolled past. Lions captain Lachie Neale was reserved during the procession, giving brief waves as a smattering of boos could be heard as he drove past.

Contrasting Emotions

Kai Lohmann was all smiles during the parade, while Lions legend Alistair Lynch looked less pleased. Experienced campaigner Chris Fagan will hope to secure a three-peat.

Neale received a last-minute reprieve from the AFL Appeal Board, allowing him to play against his old side in his fifth grand final. Brisbane will play in its fourth grand final in as many years, hoping to replicate its success of the early 2000s with another three-peat.

Fremantle's First Flag

In contrast, Fremantle is still searching for its first flag, having lost its only grand final appearance in 2013. Freo captain Alex Pearce was soaking in the adulation from fans during the parade.

"It's been great seeing so many Freo fans that have turned up, it doesn't surprise us, they've been with us all year," Pearce said.

"I've got to know them over the 13 years I've been at this club, they're the most passionate fans in the league."

Many fans said they had flown in from WA during the week, hoping for the chance to glimpse a history-making win. Fremantle fans turned up in force at Melbourne Park.

Entertainment and Excitement

It wouldn't be the sacred last weekend in September without an appearance from Mike Brady, who had the crowd laughing before performing his customary rousing rendition of Up There Cazaly.

"You'll know this song ... I call it my superannuation," he said.

Some Lions fans looked sceptical about the allegiances of one particular Wiggle, as The Wiggles took to the stage to perform for younger fans.

Interstate Fans Flock to Melbourne

For some Lions fans, the AFL grand final parade has simply become an expected yearly pilgrimage. The Hall family will be attending their fourth grand final in a row.

"We were here in 2023 when they lost to Collingwood, but we all believe that we wouldn't be going for our three-peat if we didn't lose that one," Hayley Hall said.

"You hope that you're always here the next year, but you just never know, so you just have to savour it as much as you can because you never know when you're gonna be back."

Lions fans Delaney Biglin and Kyle Moore will be attending their first ever grand final, having finally secured tickets.

"A bit nervous. We're either gonna see a three-peat or we're gonna see Freo's first granny, so it's gonna be great either way," Kyle said.

Freo fans Lee Lennon and Jo Crocos flew in from Perth this week, hoping to see their Dockers win their first flag in person.

"I think really it's about time they had another loss so I think it's going to be to us," Lee said.

Jarvis was just seven-years-old when Freo lost its last grand final, and is ready for the club to finally break through.

"I'm hyped. I've been waiting you know 13 years, waiting another seven before that," Jarvis said.

"It's just been incredible to see the boys come this far and the entire country get behind them, not just people from Fremantle."

First-Timers Raring to Go

Ruckman Sam Draper, who made the move to Brisbane this year in the hopes of playing in a grand final, said he was shocked coming out of his hotel this morning and seeing how many fans had gathered.

"It's pretty crazy seeing all the cameras and microphones in front me right now. It's a pretty big deal," Draper said.

"It's been really great having an experienced group. They've told me to just enjoy the week and just embrace it really. Charlie Cameron's been great, he likes to let me know how many grand finals he's played in."