AFL grand final day: Geelong live site to go ahead
Construction of a new live site for Cats fans to watch the AFL grand final is underway. SEE THE PROGRESS
A live site for the public to gather to watch the AFL grand final in Geelong on Saturday will go ahead, council has confirmed.
Following strong public back lash, Geelong council has now had plans for a live site at St Mary’s Football Club oval in South Geelong ticked off by the AFL.
City of Greater Geelong Geelong councillor Anthony Aitken said the game would be broadcast live on a big screen.
“It is a victory for people power. The council group intervened and ensured that we could get a live site in Geelong,” Cr Aitken said.
“It will be at St Mary’s Football Oval (on Saturday) the same location as the family day on Sunday.
“If you want to celebrate en masse the best place in Geelong to do it will be at the live site at St Mary’s.
“The community’s expectation was right that we had a live site. It is really good we are delivering that.
“There is multiple options now for the community... to be able to watch the game and of course cheer on their beloved Cats.”
City of Greater Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy said the event would start at midday.
“The feedback has been clear from the community this week that a live site was very important for those not lucky enough to have tickets to the game,” Cr Murrihy said.
“Having Geelong in the grand final is such a big event for the city and it will be great to
have a place where Cats supporters can come together to watch and, hopefully, celebrate a victory.
“We know it’s short notice, but we hope to see a strong turnout at St Mary’s for what will be a special day.”
The free event will show a broadcast of pre-game, the game and the post-game presentations. Council said four trucks will serve food and drinks at the site but no parking or vehicle access within the Kardinia Park precinct will be available.
On Friday morning City of Greater Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy said council was “scrambling” to organise a live site at St Mary’s.
“We are scrambling to get one arranged at the ground opposite (GMHBA Stadium) at the St Mary’s ground,” Cr Murrihy told 3AW radio.
“That hasn’t been confirmed as yet. We’re trying to get that off the ground. There is some logistical issues.
“So hopefully later today (Friday) we may be able to confirm that it is going ahead but at this stage we are keeping our fingers crossed.”
Owner of mobile cafe Sweet Sandy’s Cafe de Wheels, Sandy Locke, said she was booked to service the live site on Saturday.
“We have been booked for the live site at St Marys Football Club Geelong from 12.00pm on Saturday so thousands of Cats fans can watch the grand final safely,” Ms Locke posted to social media.
“If they win then we will be back at the same time & place the next day for the club’s family day where the Players will be presented to their fans. It’s going to be a very busy weekend.
Ms Locke told the Addy an announcement about live site details was likely on Friday.
“It seems council and others have bowed to public pressure. I can’t understand why it wasn’t in the plans earlier this week. We’ve all just been through Covid; we need this for the town.
“When Geelong makes the grand final the town buzzes.”
Cr Murrihy told the Addy on Thursday responsibility for organising a live site was a “grey area”.
“Ultimately is it a council responsibility? It seems it is a grey area as to whose responsibility it is,” Cr Murrihy said on Thursday.
Originally published as AFL grand final day: Geelong live site to go ahead
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