2024 AFL grand final parade: Thousands of footy fans gather to see Brisbane Lions, Sydney Swans players
Tens of thousands of footy fans flooded the streets of Melbourne for the traditional grand final parade on Friday morning, as Sydney and Brisbane players did a lap of honour ahead of the premiership decider.
The parade, which wound its way around the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was kicked off by West Coast legend and cup ambassador Josh Kennedy, holding the silverware that both clubs are vying for.
The West Australian flavour continued with Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps and Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan waving to the crowd as they celebrated their incredible 2024 seasons alongside Rising Star Ollie Dempsey.
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Despite neither club hailing from Victoria, both had a strong contingent of supporters lining the parade route and painting the town shades of red and white, as well as blue, maroon and gold.
The Swans have strong links to South Melbourne and the Lions to Fitzroy, which both clubs have embraced this week ahead of the grand final.
As the parade reached its destination of Melbourne Park, Australian icon Mike Brady played the song synonymous with Aussie Rules football, Up There Cazaly.
Kennedy revealed he was split on who to tip, with his head telling him Sydney but Brisbane had shown a lot of heart in this finals campaign.
Regardless of the winner, he predicted “an absolute cracker” with WA product Chad Warner as his pick for the Norm Smith.
Brisbane players made their way to the stage first, as the crowd chanted “Lions” before the Swans were welcomed by an equally raucous crowd yelling “Sydney”.
Stand-in Swans skipper Dane Rampe, who is leading the side in the absence of captain Callum Mills, said seeing the crowd gave him “little butterflies” ahead of their second grand final in three years.
Co-captain Lachie Neale, who will hoist the cup should the Lions be victorious on Saturday, said it was nice to not “cop as many boos” as he did last year when Brisbane was facing eventual premiers Collingwood in the decider.
Rampe and Neale lifted the cup together on stage before shaking hands to mark the end of the festivities.
Tomorrow’s grand final is a sell-out with 100,000 fans expected to fill the mCG with millions more watching live and free on Seven.
The premiership decider will also be streamed for the first time on 7Plus, with bouncedown at 12.30pm AWST.
