Tens of thousands of AFL fans flock to MCG as Grand Finals between Sydney, Brisbane kicks off

Popstar Katy Perry’s $5m price tag to perform at the AFL Grand Final has some people questioning how the money could have been better spent.

Popstar Katy Perry has received mixed reactions for her “retro-futuristic” performance during the AFL Grand Final, with some questioning the $5 million price tag.

Tens of thousands of diehard footy fans flooded into the MCG, Australia’s footy heartland, on Saturday to see the Sydney Swans take on the Brisbane Lions.

Perry was the pre-game entertainment costing the AFL $5m to perform eight songs in front of the 100,000 strong crowd packing the MCG.

Katy Perry and Tina Arena sing I Kissed a Girl at the MCG ahead of the AFL Grand Final. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

Katy Perry at the AFL Grand Final. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

“AFLW could do so much with that money and literally no-one at this AFL Grand Final would have a worse day for it,” a fan pointed out on X (formerly Twitter).

“I can’t afford bread but Katy Perry got $5m for animated arm robots coming out the ground. Wonder why society’s f … ed,” a person wrote.

Others praised the singer saying, “Once again Katy Perry showed us how spectacular she is when it comes to performing specially in front of 100k people.”

“Better than Meatloaf,” a person commented.

Katy Perry performing before the AFL Grand Final at the MCG. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

Some people thought the performance was a nod to Australian culture as the singer road into the MCG on a “giant goon bag.”

“Katy Perry riding a giant goon bag onto the ground on AFL Grand Final day, who says we have no culture,” a person said.

“Katy Perry standing on a goon bag is Australian as f. k,” another agreed.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – 28 September, 2024 AFL GRAND FINAL Katy Perry performed before the grand final Sydney Swans vs. Brisbane Lions Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

Katy Perry performed eight songs ahead of the AGL Grand Final at the MCG. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – 28 September, 2024 AFL GRAND FINAL Katy Perry performed before the grand final Sydney Swans vs. Brisbane Lions Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

“Katy Perry representing all the dads who wear the pants that unzip and turn into shorts,” a person commented on her outfit.

Some people were left disappointed by the set list saying, “Katy Perry not performing Hot n Cold at the AFL Grand Final when it was the Australian MasterChef theme song all these years.”

Thousands of spectators were soaking up the atmosphere in Australia’s footy heartland as they made their way from Melbourne’s CBD to the big stage.

The Swans last played in a grand final against Geelong in 2022 but lost to the Cats while the Lions missed out on the premiership last year to Collingwood.

Massive crowds have flocked to the MCG for the Grand Final, some queuing for hours to get their seats. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

Sydney Swans fans at the MCG Zane, 10, Blake, and Hayley, 13. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

Brisbane Lions fans make their way to the MCG. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

It’s been 21 years since the Brisbane Lions have won a flag. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

It’s been 21 years since the Brisbane Lions have won a flag with the Swans last winning in 2012, the club has won a total of five grand finals and lost 12.

The last time the two sides met in a grand final was in 1899 when they were still playing in the VFL as Melbourne clubs, according to Zero Hanger.

Brisbane and Sydney were formally Fitzroy and South Melbourne, two of the oldest VFL clubs that sill exist and how represent interstate cities.

Sydney Swans’ fans makes their way to the MCG for the AFL Grand Final. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

Swans’ fans on their way to the MCG. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

Brisbane Lions fans Adrian and Cameron Sinclair at the MCG. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

Brisbane Lions fans inside the MCG. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

They joined the AFL in 1990, after South Melbourne initially formed in 1873 and Fitzroy in 1883.

There’s only been three times in AFL history when two interstate teams have played in a grand final which took place in over three consecutive years between 2004 and 2006.

Fans getting excited for the final include 13-year-old Tyler, Roz, 10-year-old Levi and Tony. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

Brisbane Lions fans outside the MCG. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

The Brisbane Lions or Sydney Swans played in each of those games.

As part of the pregame entertainment Katy Perry brought an energetic performance to the MCG opening her set with Roar, which caused controversy during the week with people suggesting the song would give the Lions an edge in the grand final.

Originally published as Tens of thousands of AFL fans flock to MCG as Grand Finals between Sydney, Brisbane kicks off