Thousands of Crows fans heading to Melbourne ahead of AFL Grand Final
UPDATED: TENS of thousands of Crows fans are driving, riding and flying as one as the great AFL Grand Final exodus to Melbourne begins.
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TENS of thousands of Crows fans are driving, riding and flying as one as the great AFL Grand Final exodus to Melbourne begins.
Up to 30,000 Adelaide Football Club supporters are expected to make the Melbourne Cricket Ground pilgrimage by train, plane and car over the next 24 hours.
But authorities last night warned fans to exercise caution on country roads, as they appealed for patient and safe driving for tomorrow’s Grand Final against Richmond.
The RAA said drivers should shop around for fuel and research accommodation spots.
Its analysis shows that unleaded petrol was more expensive in Adelaide than some country areas.
The mass sea of red, blue and gold started early on Thursday as a long line of cars and buses headed across the border — the first foray to the “promised land” since 1998.
Honking and waving along the Dukes Hwy with a stream of scarfs and flags flying from windows and roof racks, locals boosted spirits even higher with Crows signs, balloons and streamers. Most will be at today’s Grand Final parade.
Among them was Adelaide mother Jenny Biggins and her Crows-mad children, 19 years after she saw their last flag while carrying son Hamish, who can now share the driving.
Others will travel today including retired businessman George Belperio, 63, and wife Josie, 59, from Adelaide’s CBD.
“I have not been as excited as I am right now, in a very long time,” he said. “If we win, the happy endorphins will last for several weeks.”
Community leaders anticipate bumper trade from travellers as they urged rest breaks in towns including Tailem Bend, Coonalpyn, Keith and then the final frontier at Bordertown.
“We will be open for business, so stop, have a break, grab a coffee and drive carefully,” said Tatiara mayor Graham Excell.
The Crows arrived in Melbourne last night after a low- key Adelaide Airport send-off from fans including restaurant owner Davinder Singh and children, Samar, 9 and Darsh, 7.
Crows Supporters Group president Kevin McCall said buses began leaving last night.
“It is crazy — the mass exodus is on,” he said.
“We are leaving from every corner of the state bound for Melbourne and, hopefully, all bound for glory.”
Police last night warned that “flying” too fast will be an expensive motoring exercise as they boost patrols along the 725km route to Melbourne — a busy semi-trailer truck route.
The state road toll is 78, compared to 60 last September.
Traffic Support Branch boss Superintendent Anthony Fioravanti asked drivers to accept road safety responsibility. “A split-second checking your phone, or having that extra drink, or not driving to conditions and speed limits, can change your life — and someone else’s — forever,” he said.
Last year, 15 people died from driver fatigue, mostly in country areas. Road Safety Minister Chris Picton added: “Plan your trip well in advance, take regular breaks and share the drive. We don’t want to see anyone travelling on our roads ... ending up in our emergency departments, or worse.”
Airlines have added thousands of extra seats as have rail companies to cope with demand.
Originally published as Thousands of Crows fans heading to Melbourne ahead of AFL Grand Final