Festive scenes as Geelong celebrates 2023 grand final
Geelong residents were out and about soaking up the sun on Saturday as they geared up to watch the Lions take on the Pies in the 2023 AFL Grand Final.
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The Cats may have missed the finals this year, but that did’t stop Geelong residents coming out to celebrate football’s biggest day.
The sun was shining as Geelong residents and visitors got ready to watch the 2023 grand final on Saturday.
The day was off to a strong start with Geelong’s Max Holmes winning grand final sprint by a convincing margin.
And over at the Sporting Globe, the party was just getting started.
The atmosphere was buzzing as footy fans packed into the beer garden at the Ryrie St venue.
Collingwood supporter Tyler McLeod and his friend Matt Higgs demonstrated that it was possible to be friends with the enemy.
Mr Higgs said was supporting Brisbane and tipped the Lions to win.
“I’m a Sydney supporter so I’ve got to support the interstate teams when they come to the grand final,” he said.
Tyler said he was a big Collingwood fan and was tipping Collingwood to win. He said he thought Scott Pendlebury would win the Norm Smith.
“He’s the man” he said.
“He’s still got it”.
Jake Voss was also soaking up the pre-game buzz at the Sporting Globe. He said he was usually a Richmond supporter but was barracking for Collingwood because his mum was a Magpies supporter.
He said the atmosphere in the lead up to the game was “awesome”.
“I think we were the first ones here and it’s starting to kick off now and it’s great, a good atmosphere,” he said.
“Everyone seems to be up and about and it’s also lovely weather”.
Molly McCaskill said she was also enjoying the sunshine in the beer garden. She said she was a Geelong supporter but was supporting the Lions for the grand final.
“If you don’t go for Collingwood, you hate Collingwood,” she said.
Ms McCaskill said she had enjoyed watching Kiss perform in the pre-match entertainment.
Shai Bunworth stood out dressed up in bridal wear as he celebrated his bucks party while watching the footy. The groom to be, who said he was due to get married in November, said it was great to have his bucks party over the grand final weekend.
Meanwhile, over at the Inn Hotel, manager Emma Mead said grand final day was a big day for the pub and the atmosphere was great.
“There’s a lot of people drinking, having a fun time, here to watch the footy and have a good one,” Ms Mead said.
She said she thought there were more Collingwood supporters than Brisbane supporters at the Inn Hotel, but that she was supporting Brisbane.
Amy Rose said she was usually a Bulldogs fan but some of her family had flown in from Perth for the game and she was supporting for Collingwood for them.
Ms Rose said she was enjoying her day at the Inn Hotel so far.
“It’s nice and warm out, it’s lovely,” she said.
By the first bounce, the noise had died down, as everyone’s focus was drawn to the big screen to see whether Brisbane or Collingwood would be crowned the 2023 premiers.
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Originally published as Festive scenes as Geelong celebrates 2023 grand final
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