Overview
- Teams for the AFL grand final were confirmed on Thursday with Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale cleared to play after a successful appeal and Fremantle naming Oscar McDonald in the starting 22 while Brennan Cox was listed as an emergency.
- Fremantle kept McDonald after the defender filled in during the finals but Cox completed a strong match-like training block that left him available for recall if required.
- Thousands of Fremantle supporters known as the 'Purple Army' have been travelling to Melbourne by air and by road, with a large group making the more-than-3,000-kilometre Nullarbor drive and about 3,000 fans attending the club's final open training in Perth.
- Airlines added extra Perth–Melbourne and Brisbane–Melbourne services though fares remain high, local businesses such as the BP Norseman Roadhouse offered a fuel discount for fans in club colours, and WA Police increased Eyre Highway patrols to reduce speed and fatigue risks.
- The grand final kicks off at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday at the MCG, which is expected to be a near sell-out, with Kylie Minogue to perform a pre-game set from about 1:30pm and expanded public-transport and on-site safety plans in place.