AFL grand final live: Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats battle for footy’s ultimate prize
Brisbane and Geelong are no strangers to the final Saturday of September as the Lions and Cats square off for the AFL’s ultimate prize.
The Lions have made the first potentially game-defining decision of the day with superstar Laahie Neale set to start on the bench after his remarkable return from a calf injury.
Geelong have brought in Rhys Stanley to replace Tom Stewart with the winner today likely goes down as the best team of the current era.
Follow all the action from the MCG live!
He’s into Nothin but a G Thang, appropriate for the G.
The brass band from earlier is on the stage with dancers perofrming on steps at the front of the stage.
And here’s Drop It Like It’s Hot. Breaking out in the iconic dance.
It must be said the swear words are being cut out but the weed references are all good it seems.
Here’s Snoop
He starts out with a video message calling for fans to cheer with marching bands playing out parts of their club songs.
He walks with tunnel in a white tracksuit and cracks open with The Next Episode.
Tash Sultana breaks out a riff on the guitar.
Mike Brady time
A grand final tradition at this point.
Some early wobbles as he yells out for the backing track to be turned up.
Warmly received, plenty of the crowd joining in the chorus.
Big cheers and a smile from everyone. Good stuff now it’s time for the Dogg.
Laps of honour
Jeremy McGovern gets a lap with his kids while there are massive cheers for Mitch Duncan and Gary Rohan.
Boos for umpires and weirdly Murphy Reid as the Rising star.
Entertainment begins
Baker Boy is up first to kick off before Snoop Dog performs his hit Thick Skin on the boundary line.
He’s backed up five female singers and fireworks.
There’s plenty of energy and Baker Boy even breaks out into a didgeridoo solo, which is definitely the highlight.
Good stuff.
Subs confirmed
Lachie Neale for the Lions and Jack Martin for the Cats which is something of a surprise.
Chris Scott reveals key match-up
Lions confirm Neale is the sub
As he was in Fremantle’s 2013 decider.
Mitch Cleary says the Lions are confident he will not reinjure his calf but were more concerned about his durability given he has played just three quarters of footy in 56 days.
Gout Gout in the building
He’ll be firing the starting pistol for the grand final sprint, but the native Queenslander is right behind the Lions.
Politics and sport
Some say they shouldn’t mix, but that hasn’t stopped leaders from trading barbs at the grand final breakfast.
