Brisbane Lions supporters making a last-minute dash to Melbourne for the AFL Grand Final have faced a frustrating setback, with several flights delayed or cancelled before the opening bounce.
Services departing from Brisbane and the Gold Coast were disrupted by limits on aircraft movements and reduced visibility at Melbourne Airport.
Almost 100,000 fans are expected at the MCG for today’s Grand Final between the Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions.
3AW Drive presenter Jacqueline Felgate shared messages from passengers caught up in the travel chaos.
One traveller wrote: ‘I’m at Brisbane Airport now and so many flights to Melbourne have been delayed or cancelled.’
Another passenger said: ‘Flights from the Gold Coast to Melbourne have been cancelled and delayed. A lot of Brisbane Lions fans could miss the Grand Final.’
The travel difficulties came as the Bureau of Meteorology warned that Grand Final day in Melbourne would be a wet one.
Senior meteorologist David Crock said rain was moving into the city from the west, with additional drizzle approaching from the south.
Brisbane Lions supporters travelling to Melbourne for the AFL Grand Final have endured flight delays and cancellations ahead of the match.
Nearly 100,000 fans are expected to head to the MCG for the Grand Final clash between Fremantle and Brisbane.
Mr Crock said showers would come and go through much of the day before becoming more isolated later in the afternoon.
‘The drizzle should gradually ease, but showers may continue to move in from the south behind a cold front expected to cross southern Victoria later,’ he said.
‘By the scheduled 2.30pm start, some rain is likely to remain. It could continue intermittently during the match, although longer dry periods are expected to develop by late afternoon and into the evening.’
Although total rainfall is forecast to sit between 2mm and 8mm, Mr Crock said the prolonged nature of the wet weather would have the ‘biggest impact’ on Grand Final conditions.
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‘Temperatures should remain between 12°C and 14°C for much of the day, making it particularly chilly for Queenslanders accustomed to milder, sunnier winter conditions,’ he said.
Brisbane will be chasing a historic third consecutive premiership after claiming the flag in 2024 and 2025. Fremantle, meanwhile, will be aiming to secure its first premiership since entering the competition in 1994.
Lachie Neale’s selection has also been a major talking point, with the Brisbane captain cleared to take part after initially receiving a one-match suspension for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan in the preliminary final.
The AFL Appeal Board overturned the suspension at a hearing on Thursday, allowing Neale to line up in the Grand Final.
The MCG playing surface before today’s AFL Grand Final.
He will instead pay a $10,000 fine.
The dual Brownlow medallist has won two premierships with the Lions and could add a third amid speculation he may leave the club at the end of the season.
Neale has been widely linked with a move to Collingwood, though no switch has been confirmed.
‘I just want to thank the club, (Lions football boss) Danny (Daly), everyone involved in the process of helping me play this weekend – and the AFL appeals board for their decision as well,’ said Neale, speaking after it was confirmed he would play.
‘I wouldn’t say a bigger point to prove (after the dramatic week).
‘I just want to play my part and win on Saturday.
‘Difficult challenge against Freo, but hopefully we can do it.’
Kylie Minogue and G-Flip will provide the pre-match entertainment at 1.39pm, while the first bounce is scheduled for 2.30pm (AEST).
