Key events
Show only key events
Please enable JavaScript to use this feature
This was very very good.
Delta Goodrem takes the stage to play the role of Kylie in a rendition of Kids.
This is up there with The Killers nailing Forgotten Years a few grannies ago, as the G’s big screen shows John Farnham in black and white belting out the chorus as Williams steps forward to the camera asking viewers at home to join in.
Phew! Now facing Farnsie… “With love John,” Williams launches into You’re the Voice.
The chorus of Ángeles echoes around the G like it’s closing time in a student pub in the north of England. The telecast is extended over the sign of the newly christened Shane Warne Stand. This is straight to the content of the pool room.
The first chords of Angels sound. “I love you Warnie,” Williams announces.
Love it or hate it, this is a masterpiece on how to perform in a stadium.
“Back to the hits…” as Feel enters.
“This is the new mandatory song we’re going to go through together,” Williams apologizes as the downbeat of Lost kicks in.
Now we’re into Rock DJ, with a heavy emphasis on the “can I kick it?” abstain On the oval is now a group of silver-clad dancers in spacesuits carrying mirror balls. I like.
To be fair, he was born for it. Performer, MC, hype-man all rolled into one. And he’s giving it 100%.
Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
Updated at 04.55 BST
“For the next 20 minutes I’m going to be phenomenal,” Williams boasts between lines. Certainly, the occasion did not surprise him.
Dressed in an unmissable magenta suit Robbie Williams opens with this, of course he does.
Here comes Bob from Stoke.
Sydney 22
Sam Reid starts despite limping before the final siren of the preliminary final. John Longmire’s only change to the 22 that defeated Collingwood was included earlier in the week with Hayden McLean replacing Logan McDonald.
B: O.Florent, T.McCartin, D.RampeHB: N.Blakey, P.McCartin, J.LloydC: C.Mills, C.Warner, J.McInerneyHF: I.Heeney, S.Reid, W.HaywardF: T.Papley, L.Franklin, E.GuldenFOLL: T.Hickey, J.Rowbottom, L.ParkerI/C: R.Fox, D.Stephens, R.Clarke, H.McLeanSub: B.Campbell
Sam Reid has made the cut, but is he fully fit? Photograph: Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
Geelong 22
One change for the Cats, as mentioned, with Max Holmes not up in time due to the hamstring injury he picked up in the preliminary. Mark O’Connor makes 22 with Brandon Parfitt moving up to the secondary spot.
B: J.Kolodjashnij, S.De Koning, J.BewsHB: M.Duncan, T.Stewart, J.HenryC: M.Blicavs, J.Selwood, Z.TuohyHF: B.Close, J.Cameron, I.SmithF : T.Stengle, T.Hawkins, G.RohanFOLL: R.Stanley, P.Dangerfield, C.GuthrieI/C: Z.Guthrie, G.Miers, T.Atkins, M.O’ConnorSub: B.Parfitt
Joel Selwood leads the Cats to an AFL record 40th final. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
And as the superstars of recent seasons say goodbye, Mike Brady takes the stage. “Let’s all go! Let’s sing the song!” he roars. Oh, go on then.
I like football.
Rising star Nick Daicos also takes a spin in a Hi-Lux. This will not be his last visit on grand final day.
Uncle Colin Hunter Jr has welcomed the country. Now it’s time for the retirement parade with Shaun Edwards, Ben McEvoy and a couple of Josh Kennedys.
If Geelong win, Joel Selwood will demand plenty of column inches. A fourth flag, a top-class captain, a record 40th final and a record-equalling period between first and last triumph. What a player, what a career.
Grand Final Day Milestone (Strange): Cats win – JSelwood equals longer 15 year run between flags than MTuckSwans win – LFranklin 14 years, second longest ever.
Longest flag spans15 MTuck 1976 first, ’91 last13 F Baring 1911-24; B Davis 1962-75; K Bartlett 1967-80; F Bourke 1967-80
— Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane) September 20, 2022
Two big-name players, Matthew Richardson and Brian Taylor, are outside the MCG and both have been taken aback by the force of the crosswind as they study Sydney practicing goal kicks.
I hope you are sitting comfortably because we are about to finish the procedure. Here’s what’s coming in the next hour or so.
1:25 pm Welcome to the country by Uncle Colin Hunter Jr. 1:26 pm Caravan Grand Final 1:33 pm Mike Brady 1:40 pm Robbie Williams with Delta Goodrem 2:11 pm Referee entrance and match ball delivery 2:13-2:16 pm Enter the teams 2:24 pm Country recognition 2: 25:00 Handover of the 2022 Premiership Cup by Bachar Houli 2.26pm National Anthem 2.28pm Coin Toss 2.30pm A Massive Roar
Ball! Photograph: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
Filling well
Less than two hours until the bounce…
Chris Scott is speaking to Channel Seven and has confirmed Geelong’s 22. Max Holmes gets lost.
Mark O’Connor comes in and Brandon Parfitt will be our replacement. It’s unfortunate for Max because he was so close. This was one of those calls where, in my opinion, it’s probably 98% there, but we just needed certainties for the team. It’s very hard for him. I probably could have, but it was the right decision under the circumstances and Brandon and Mark have been good for us this year. We will only go with the fit guys.
Max Holmes underwent a fitness test for Geelong but has not been selected. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Speaking of sprinting, Richmond’s superbly named Hugo Ralphsmith has just launched himself to glory.
That just got me thinking: make the half-time sprint a competition between the club’s pet animals, instead of the players. Falcons chasing herons leaving a bulldog at the starting line. Dean Brogan could compete for both Port Adelaide and GWS.
Cats on the move
Also, there’s a moving cat here.
Like Lily and Madeleine said, I can’t help how I feel. Whichever team is ahead, I’ll probably be rooting for the other. I should probably be rooting for the Swans as many in our Sydney footy community will go crazy and have suffered in 14 and 16. But I feel for the neutrals and the Giants.
oh well It’s a swan. At 13. Parker or Hickey Norm Smith. Cameron’s first goal. Cameron’s last goal. Three more in between. But Swans to share it and kick 14 with 11 goal kickers.
14.9 93 beats 12.8 80
Scores be tied at one quarter or half time who like the 4 quarter margin bet option. But don’t bet. I will see. to drink eat Bant. And be kind to your pets.
This is tremendously specific. Hickey for Norm Smith would be amazing.
Time for a Robbie Williams cul-de-sac, before the former Take That star (and new Carlton fan) takes to the stage.
Here he is with Jon Ronson talking about UFOs
Robbie Williams is interested in conspiracies.
Here he is playing golf.
Robbie Williams likes golf.
Here he is playing for his dream football club, Port Vale.
Robbie Williams likes football.
Ok, pointless plot key. What did Jonathan Horn do right and what did he do wrong on his list of the greatest grand finals of the last 50 years?
Surely no one is challenging for the top spot, right?
Swans in motion.
Also, a moving swan.
lol
Hi Jonathan, welcome to the AFL grand final. Nice to see you again. I hope you have a fun-filled day and that the grand finale is an absolute blast.
Come on, Swannies.
Of course (and sorry to go a bit off topic), but I’m looking forward to the double diary today. Swannies this afternoon and the Bunnies tonight.
Whatever happens, we hope it’s a great day of football for the fans.
Thank you Harry. Hopefully I’ll be over here in time to enjoy the NRL prelims with you.
There are many individual stories today, from Joel Selwood’s record, to Patrick Dangerfield’s defining moment, or the resilience of the McCartin brothers, but Lance Franklin rises, returning to the G for his sixth grand final, and third with Sydney, with doubts. about his impressive turnaround from the Hawks a distant memory.
Craig Little shares Buddy’s love.
We are privileged to see Franklin back on the game’s biggest stage, 17 years after his debut. Since his last Grand Final appearance in 2016, his position in the game has only improved. The reaction to his 1000th career goal in March, when Sydney last met Geelong, confirmed his status as an enduring sporting legend.
Enjoy the day and roar “BALL!” for me.
About to go down. If Reid is fit and playing, I think he could be close. If he doesn’t play, I think we’ll be in one of those grand finals where it’s all over at half-time.
The MCC Library is a wonderful place and they do great things.
Much more on the situation at Hawthorn can be found here with the latest report detailing how disturbing the review’s author, Phil Egan, found the revelations. “Hearing and seeing the trauma as it was relayed to me personally was like a nightmare,” she said.
Inevitably, we must confront the disturbing allegations reported by the ABC this week and the report submitted to Hawthorn and the AFL about the club’s historic treatment of young First Nations footballers.
Jonathan Horn considers how Wednesday’s revelations juxtapose with today’s celebrations.
It evoked the feeling that this whole competition is based on bullshit, that it’s hard to take anything that comes out of the clubs’ mouths seriously. Football clubs, and the entire industry that feeds off the game, throw around words like “culture” as if they were building orphanages. “Bloods Culture” and “The Family Club” almost become marketing terms. We build leaders, and particularly coaches, to the point where they are seemingly irrefutable. We often forget that their ultimate business is to win and they will do anything to get it. The “Whatever it takes” sign at Essendon became something of a joke during the supplements scandal. But there is no joke with this story.
Anyone planning a wedding for the last Saturday of…