For the second year in a row the only place in Melbourne to celebrate that one day in September was Centre Square, just moments away from the MCG on Punt Road Oval. And as though it had been scripted, the Melbourne weather delivered its finest.
The gates opened at 10:30 and the footy faithful began streaming into the lavish Centre Square garden surrounds, making the most of food and beverage service. The entertainment kicked off on the main stage with the first footy panel, hosted by Will Anderson. Tarkyn Lockyer, Lemmo, Gia and Billy provided the ‘expert insights’, whilst Fev was up to his usual antics keeping the crowd laughing.
The next panel of AFL experts took to the stage and kept the building the hype as first bounce crept closer and closer. By 1pm an anxious and excited procession of brown and gold, and navy blue and white made their way to the G and into prime seats for the pre-match entertainment and the biggest game of the year between the competition’s best.
After the game winners and losers alike, returned to Centre Square for the post match party, a bite to eat and the opportunity to relive every moment of the game. Celebrations continued into the evening with a performance from Pete Murray, and then Powerderfinger took it up a gear in front of the three-and-a-half thousand-strong revellers.
A fireworks display burst across the sky above Centre Square capping off a huge day, and in fact a huge season of AFL footy. And Centre Square experience will be back again next year to do it all again.