Grand final day begins here: news, views and tips

The New Daily
Sep 26, 2014, updated Sep 26, 2014

It comes down to this, a replay of the 2012 grand final between the two undoubted best teams in the AFL, Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans.

The game brings together the number one attacking team in the league in Hawthorn (110.5 points a game) against the number one defensive side in Sydney (67.3 points a game).

• Playboy Buddy against the working class heroes
• Buddy: the most famous AFL player ever

There was a similar match-up in 2012, but the difference since then is Sydney’s extra attacking potential, thanks to the so-called ‘Bondi Billionaires’.

And it was one of those ‘billionaires’, Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin, who attracted most of the attention at Friday’s AFL grand final parade.

Whether kitted out in red and white or brown and gold, supporters let their feelings known about the man who left Hawthorn after winning the 2013 flag to join Sydney on a nine-year, $10 million deal. Some booed, despite Hawthorn on-baller Jordan Lewis’ pleas on Thursday not to poke the Buddy bear. Some chanted Buddy’s name.

But he’s just one of the stories on arguably the biggest day of sport on the Australian calendar.

Even the Prime Minister, who is in New York for talks about a growing terrorist threat, found a moment to throw his support behind his team – the Swans.

“(They’ve) had a fabulous season, and let’s hope they top it off with a big win,” he said.

By 5.30pm, the victor will be known and the vanquished will watch forlornly as the winning players collect their premiership medals and a place in history.

Before the opening bounce, here’s your guide to the 2014 AFL grand final.

Latest news

Livewire Rioli ‘ready to cause chaos’

Cyril Rioli believes neither he or Hawthorn will be hamstrung in the AFL grand final.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson admitted Rioli’s selection was a calculated risk, given he hadn’t played an AFL game since round 15 due to a serious hamstring injury.

The livewire wasn’t always certain about his chances of appearing in Saturday’s showpiece.

“At certain stages during my rehab I thought I wasn’t going to get back here,” Rioli said during Friday’s parade.

Can Rioli be the difference? Photo: Getty

“But that definitely just drove me to come back and play football again this year.

“I’ve been ticking all the boxes (during the three months on the sidelines) … I’m very confident in the hammy.” More…

Clarkson Rioling the dice

Clarkson admits he’s taking a risk by selecting Rioli for Saturday’s game.

But he says the punt on Rioli is no greater than on every other player in the premiership decider.

“There’s a level of risk in every player that runs out there tomorrow,” Clarkson told reporters on Friday.

“It’s a tough, brutal game.

“But the Swannies have got some risk too. (Nick) Malceski has got some risk, (Heath) Grundy has got some risk, (Sam) Reid has got some risk. I don’t want to throw it over at the opposition.

“But the reality of big games, big finals, you try to pick the best squad you can possibly pick and we think Cyril is right to go.” More…

No advantage from easier run

Sydney have dismissed any advantage they might have from their easier passage to the grand final, saying the occasion makes it irrelevant.

John Longmire is looking for his second premiership as a coach. Photo: Getty

One of the main reasons the Swans are favourites for Saturday’s clash with Hawthorn is that they have enjoyed a much easier run through the finals.

The Swans smashed North Melbourne in their preliminary final and did not have to travel at all in September until the premiership decider.

By contrast, Hawthorn have had one day’s less break after just surviving a brave Port Adelaide fightback last Saturday night.

Sydney have also enjoyed an unchanged team through the finals, in contrast to Hawthorn’s much-publicised changes.

“It’s a grand final – you get yourself up, no matter what,” said Swans co-captain Kieren Jack. More…

Buddy’s the star of grand final parade

Buddy Franklin was the name on tens of thousands of fans’ lips as the AFL grand final parade proceeded on a sunny spring day in Melbourne.

Franklin and Dan Hannebery’s vehicle was the one that generated the most noise from the streets as the motorcade worked its way through the CBD.

Don’t expect it to look this friendly on Saturday. Photo: Getty

Whether kitted out in red and white or brown and gold, supporters let their feelings known about the man who left Hawthorn after winning the 2013 flag to join Sydney on a nine-year, $10 million deal.

Some booed, despite Hawthorn on-baller Jordan Lewis’ pleas on Thursday not to poke the Buddy bear.

Some chanted Buddy’s name. More…

Spangher finally gets to the dance

Hawthorn utility Matt Spangher is naturally happy to make an AFL grand final.

But Spangher’s even happier that it is against Sydney, the club he played six games for and formed many close bonds at in 2011-12.

Is it finally Spangher time? Photo: Getty

“I was lucky enough to end on good terms,” Spangher said of the second of three clubs he has called home.

“It’s nice I get to enjoy it (a grand final) and nice that they’re here as well.” More…

Razor blades found at Hawks training

Two separate parts of a razor blade – which could have caused injury if a player landed on one – were discovered on the oval an hour before training on Thursday.

Hawthorn’s CEO Stuart Fox said staff acted quickly to ensure the safety of the players before training.

“When the objects were found, staff and security took immediate action to sweep the oval before the players took the field to ensure the surface was safe,” Fox said in a statement.

“We are fortunate no one was hurt, and I commend staff and security for acting quickly to protect our players and patrons.” More…

McEvoy looking to cash in

Ben McEvoy spent the past five weeks in the reserves, but never did the Hawthorn ruckman give up on his AFL grand final dream.

McEvoy left St Kilda at the end of the 2013 season, joining the Hawks with high hopes of finally being part of a premiership outfit.

The form of Jonathon Ceglar and various injury setbacks meant McEvoy’s move hasn’t gone completely to plan.

Getty

But coach Alastair Clarkson has recalled McEvoy when it matters.

“Clarko has said all along, he’ll pick the best 22 to beat Sydney tomorrow,” McEvoy said on Friday.

“I’ve had to fight really hard.” More…

Police presence doubled

There will be twice as many police officers at Saturday’s grand final compared to last year and fans can expect delays getting into the ground as part of tightened security measures.

Police have reassessed security risks to the grand final after Melbourne terror suspect Numan Haider, 18, was fatally shot outside Endeavour Hills police station after stabbing two officers on Tuesday night.

Victoria Police deputy commissioner Tim Cartwright said there are no specific threats identified to any major Victorian events but police have arrangements in place to deal with any risk. More…

The match-ups

Ben McGlynn. Photo: Getty

Josh Gibson gets his pal Franklin, and it’s a decent match-up for the Hawks. It is the biggest contest of the game. Brian Lake gets Kurt Tippett and Hawthorn will be happy with that. Ben Stratton probably takes Sam Reid and that leaves possibly Matt Suckling or Grant Birchall with Adam Goodes.

At the other end, Ted Richards is the No. 1 option for Jarryd Roughead, but Heath Grundy tends to take him if he comes up the ground. Nick Smith will go straight to Luke Breust, as he has in the past, and that leaves either Dane Rampe or Nick Malceski on Jack Gunston, which is a worry for Sydney.

In the middle Sydney began using the quick Harry Cunningham as a tagger a few weeks ago and he eclipsed Brent Harvey, so he will likely take Brad Hill, who has become so dangerous. Isaac Smith also will get close attention, perhaps from Ben McGlynn. Sydney tends not to tag too much and most likely will leave Kieren Jack, Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and the others to go head-to-head in the middle.

The hunger

These teams went to this show just two years ago but there are a few players who do not have a premiership to their names, and Ben McGlynn is the most obvious. He tore a hamstring in the 2012 qualifying final and did not quite get up for the grand final, and he was at Hawthorn when it won in 2008, but only played a handful of games. The likes of Dane Rampe, Jake Lloyd and Harry Cunningham for Sydney, and on Hawthorn’s team Matt Spangher, Will Langford and Matthew Suckling (injured last year) are chasing the dream.

The Big Day

9.30am
MCG Gates Open

Patrick Dangerfield wins the 2013 grand final sprint. Photo: Getty

10.00am
Curtain Raiser – Australian U17s v Allies U18s (TAC Cup presentation at half-time).

12.30pm
Heats of grand final sprint

1.10pm
Preliminary team warm up opportunity

1.30pm
Retiring players motorcade
Luke Ball, Simon Black, Campbell Brown, Jonathan Brown, Domenic Cassisi, Dean Cox, Daniel Giansiracusa, Darren Glass, Brent Guerra, Lenny Hayes, Josh Hunt, Darren Jolly, Quinten Lynch, Ash McGrath, Nick Maxwell, Ben Rutten, Heath Scotland.

1.36pm
Tom Jones & Ed Sheeran

2.02pm
Mike Brady

2.12pm
Umpires enter arena/delivery of match footballs to Umpires

2.14pm