The 2024 AFL Grand Final is just days away with the Brisbane Lions set to face the Sydney Swans – but eagle-eyed fans are already blowing up about an apparent error on the field.
Saturday’s decider is the first between two ‘interstate’ clubs since West Coast beat Sydney in a thriller in 2006 – a factor which has limited the early-week buzz in Melbourne.
The MCG pitch looks to be in great condition ahead of the match, but some fans are calling out a mistake with the team logos, noting that Brisbane appears on the left with Sydney on the right, when they should be the other way around.
Traditionally, the AFL puts the logo of the home team first, and despite neither team being Victorian in this year’s decider, the Swans won the minor premiership, so they should be on the left.
An X user posted a photo of the MCG on Wednesday, complaining: ‘The logos are around the wrong way.’
‘Never understand how they do this. Happens regularly,’ responded another.
Other social media users have pointed out that the reason for the swap is to ensure the logos correspond to where the teams’ benches are at the ground.
The same situation arose last year, when the Lions – who finished second on the ladder – had their logo on the left at the MCG as they played minor premiers Collingwood in the grand final.
The AFL usually puts the logo of the home team on the left for the grand final, meaning the Brisbane and Sydney symbols are the wrong way around at the MCG this year (pictured)
The Swans (pictured playing Brisbane in round 19 this year) finished minor premiers this year, with the Lions ending the home-and-away season in fifth
The Lions flew into Melbourne on Wednesday, with the Swans set to join them on Thursday.
Both teams have already got early selection decisions out of the way – courtesy of injury heartbreak.
Brisbane will replace ruckman Oscar McInerney (shoulder) with understudy Darcy Fort, while Sydney on Wednesday ruled out hamstrung captain Callum Mills, with utility Robbie Fox expected to keep his spot.
Dane Rampe is tipped to deputise as Swans captain in Mills’s absence, while the Lions have co-captains Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale both available.
Both clubs are required to name their teams by Thursday night.
Minor premiers Sydney will hope to avoid a fourth grand final defeat in 11 years, including a thumping loss to Geelong in 2022.
Coach John Longmire is chasing the second premiership of a decorated coaching career after triumphing in 2012.
Brisbane are attempting to bounce back from last season’s heartbreaking grand final loss to Collingwood and claim coach Chris Fagan’s maiden premiership, and the club’s first since 2003.
The 2024 AFL decider starts at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday September 28
The Lions, who finished the season in fifth place, are attempting to become just the second team, after the Western Bulldogs beat Sydney in the 2016 decider, to win the premiership from outside the top four.
‘You dare to dream and I get goosebumps … it feels like a lot of similarities (to 2016) but we all know you’ve got to go and do your job,’ now-Lions midfielder and premiership Bulldog Josh Dunkley said this week.
Brisbane opted to travel to Melbourne a day early to get an extra training session in ahead of Saturday’s game.
The Lions aren’t able to train at the MCG on Thursday, and will instead occupy Punt Road Oval, due to pop superstar Katy Perry’s rehearsals ahead of headlining Saturday’s grand final entertainment.
Captains and coaches will address the media for the final time before they take part in Friday’s grand final parade.
The AFL has already confirmed Lions coaching great Leigh Matthews will present the premiership cup if Brisbane win, while former Sydney captain Stuart Maxfield has the same honour if the Swans prevail.
Grand final week hasn’t gone without a hitch for league headquarters.
At least 1000 corporate hospitality tickets for the game were illegally downloaded this week, forcing the league to cancel the barcodes on impacted tickets.
The scheduled delivery of those tickets was delayed on Tuesday, with replacements set to be issued.
But chief executive Andrew Dillon is adamant the league has avoided a ticketing disaster.
