AFL reignites hopes of a grand final parade through Perth streets

Hopes Perth might still get a grand final parade through the city may have been reignited.

The AFL has not ruled out hosting a parade through the streets of Perth ahead of the grand final at Optus Stadium on September 25.

The 2019 AFL Grand Final Parade saw fans crowd the streets of Melbourne’s CBD.Credit:Getty Images

The league’s customer and commercial general manager Kylie Rogers told Radio 6PR on Friday all options were still on the table ahead of a decision early next week.

“We are working through what we can deliver ... I’ll let you know, hopefully on Monday,” she told host Steve Mills.

“I am working on how we can entertain WA fans in the lead-up to the grand final.

Asked if that could include a grand final parade, as is tradition in Melbourne, Ms Rogers replied: “It may.”

The AFL last Tuesday confirmed the grand final parade would instead be a free, ticketed event due to the time constraints involved in organising a public parade in Perth, which is hosting the grand final for the first time in history due to the COVID lockdowns in Victoria.

“The AFL has made the decision to not hold a traditional street parade this year,” a statement read.

“We have decided that given the tight time constraints and our continued conservative approach to dealing with the pandemic, it would be a more appropriate option to give fans a free ticketed event.

“One that will showcase the Premiership Cup and the competing clubs and players on the eve of the grand final.”

The City of Perth had earlier offered to host a street parade similar to the event held each year in Melbourne, which is a public holiday in Victoria.

A sell-out crowd will on Friday night witness the first AFL preliminary final at Optus Stadium without WA-based clubs when Melbourne play Geelong for a place in the grand final in front of 60,000 fans.

with Heather McNeill

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