Crowds flock to Yarra River and MCG as the AFL grand final parade returns to Melbourne

The grand final parade has made its way through Melbourne, with a leg of the festivities taking place along the Yarra River for the first time, but not all fans have been happy with the display.

Players and coaches from both teams travelled by boat along the Yarra, disembarking at Birrarung Marr before making their way to the MCG by road.

Footy fans watch as part of the grand final parade travels down the Yarra for the first time.(ABC News: Danielle Bonica) Many thousands took advantage of the public holiday to join the festivities.(ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

However, some in today’s crowd were left disappointed by their experience, saying they missed out on seeing the on-water section of the parade.

One fan, Milly, wrote on Twitter that she was among a large crowd who missed out despite waiting in a designated “viewing area”, saying the boats had “turned around” way before reaching the spot.

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Another fan, Sian Dart, said the boats turned around before they reached her.

“Those maps of the parade were full on deceptive for tens of thousands of people,” she said.

“Great concept, complete execution failure.”

Sydney Swans players wave to the fans lining the banks of the Yarra.(ABC News: Danielle Bonica) The Geelong Cats barge cruises along the Yarra.(ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

The ABC has contacted the AFL for comment.

It was estimated up to 250,000 people were set to take part in today’s events.

Large crowds streamed into Melbourne to soak in the atmosphere ahead of the clash.(ABC News: Danielle Bonica) Two Sydney Swans supporters have a bite to eat as the festivities take over Melbourne.(ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

Saturday’s clash between the Swans and the Cats at the MCG will be the first premiership match held in the city since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

Among those in Melbourne this morning is the divided Chapman family.

Sydney Swans fan Matt is convinced his team will take out the win.

His seven-year-old son, Geelong Cats fan Rafa, is equally convinced his team will win.

Sydney Swans fan Matt Chapman and his son, Geelong Cats fan Rafa are at loggerheads ahead of tomorrow’s game.(ABC News: Stephanie Ferrier)

The family bought tickets to the grand final six weeks ago.

“To have both our teams in the game is pretty special,” Mr Chapman said.

He said it was great to have the grand final parade and the game back in Melbourne.

“We’re looking forward to the day and looking forward to tomorrow’s game,” Mr Chapman said.

Swans fan Julian Farrell is a little bit superstitious.

“Every time I dress in some sort of costume, we end up losing the grand final,” he said.

“I’ve worn Santa Claus suits twice, and we’ve lost.”

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The Swan hat he wore to the parade came to him after an internet search.

“It goes alright. It got a good reaction last week in Sydney,” Mr Farrell said.

He said it got a bit trampled in the excitement of last week’s win, so the hat’s fate if the Swans win on Saturday is uncertain.

Mr Farrell rates the team’s chances of beating Geelong.

“Everyone is writing us off, which is what we like,” he said.

The grandfather of Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield, Bob Utber, said he had never been so nervous in all his life as he is for Saturday’s grand final.

Bob Utber is feeling “tremendous” that his grandson, Cats player, Patrick Dangerfield is in the grand final.(ABC News)

“I’ve been a footy fan all my life and just to have a family member playing in an AFL grand final – it’s just the height of being involved in football,” he said.

He said it had been “tremendous” to watch his grandson’s career unfold.

“I hope he plays well,” Mr Utber said.

“He doesn’t have to be best on ground.”

The grand final festivities come as the AFL grapples with fresh allegations of racism.

A review by the Hawthorn Football Club has unearthed accusations that key figures at the club intimidated and separated young First Nations players from their families.

The AFL has committed to an external investigation into the allegations.

Posted 1h ago1 hours agoFri 23 Sep 2022 at 1:07am, updated 17m ago17 minutes agoFri 23 Sep 2022 at 2:41am