‘In for a treat’: Melbourne to see ‘perfect’ AFL Grand Final weather before a cool, rainy week
As thousands of fans flock to the ’G for Saturday’s Grand Final clash, the weather is expected to look a lot different to previous years as temperatures are pegged to hit the record books.
Victoria
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Footy fans are in for a gloriously sunny day at the ’G on Saturday as Melbourne delivers some of the best Grand Final weather the city has seen this decade.
It’s as if Sydney and Brisbane supporters flocking from interstate are bringing the north’s sunny blue skies as Melbourne is forecast for a top of 23C and zero chance of rain during the game.
Those lucky enough to have scored tickets can whip off their scarves and opt for a hat instead, with the Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Michael Efron expecting “perfect conditions and plenty of sunshine”.
“(Saturday is) on track to be one of the top-20 warmest grand finals of AFL/VFL records,” Mr Efron said.
“Most grand finals, we see temperatures in that 15 to 19 degrees range … We’ll have a temperature throughout the game of about 22 degrees.
“We’re in for a treat.”
Mr Efron said grand final players should expect “a bit of a breeze around”, but nothing extreme.
“There will be a moderate northerly wind, so a little bit of breeze around, but not likely to have a really big impact on things — just a little bit breezy,” he said.
The beautiful spring weather will continue last year’s trend of unusually warm grand final temperatures.
Last year, footy fans enjoyed a summer-like top of 29.7 degrees. But for years before that, the city struggled to get maximums above 15C.
“In the past, there’s been some rainy grand finals and some cold ones – but (this year) is going to be perfect,” Mr Efron said.
The city’s hottest ever grand final on record was in 2015, when fans sweltered through a whopping maximum of 31.3 degrees.
A look at the rest of this week
Mr Efron said fans marching in Friday’s parade should also expect plenty of sunshine, but cooler temperatures of about 14 to 15 degrees.
After the game, temperatures will stay quite mild, dropping to 15 degrees into Sunday morning.
Showers are expected on Sunday afternoon and evening as a cold front sends temperatures plummeting back to the mid-teens by midweek.
Mr Efron said temperatures will warn up again on Thursday, perfect for school holiday fun.
*Historical data as per observations at Olympic Park. Interstate 2020, 2021 grand final temperatures not included.
Hottest VFL/AFL grand finals on record
#5. 2001 AFL Grand Final
25.9 degrees
The Brisbane Lions claimed their first AFL-era flag as they defeated reigning premiers Essendon on September 29, 2001.
#4. 1919 VFL Grand Final
26.4 degrees
Collingwood defeated Richmond in front of 45,413 fans to claim their fifth flag on October 11, 1919.
#3. 1944 VFL Grand Final
29.8 degrees
Fitzroy tamed the Tigers at The Junction Oval in front of more than 40,000 fans on September 30, 1944
#2. 1987 VFL Grand Final
30.7 degrees
David Rhys-Jones was awarded the Norm Smith Medal as the Blues defeated the Hawks on September 26, 1987
#1. 2015 AFL Grand Final
31.3 degrees
The Hawks prevailed over the Eagles as the temperature hit a record 31.3 degrees on October 3, 2015.
Coldest VFL/AFL Grand Final on record
The temperature was at its lowest with 11.3 degrees when Collingwood defeated Melbourne in front of 97,956 fans on 20 September, 1958.
Originally published as ‘In for a treat’: Melbourne to see ‘perfect’ AFL Grand Final weather before a cool, rainy week
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