AFL grand final 2019: How much Victorians will spend on parties
Footy fans are stocking up on food and alcohol in greater numbers than ever before as they get set for finals celebrations this weekend. HOW TO AVOID A FINANCIAL HANGOVER
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Footy fans across the country are stocking up on sausages, meat pies, bread and alcohol in greater numbers than ever before as they get set for finals celebrations this weekend.
The sports-mad across both codes — the AFL and NRL — will be splashing cash on traditional stay-at home celebrations while others will flood bars, pubs and clubs.
New statistics from National Australia Bank forecast Australians will spend more than $180.7 million on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
This is up from $167.5 million last year — an increase of 7 per cent.
The 2017 AFL premiers and favourites Richmond will take on grand final debutants
Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on the code’s biggest day of the year on the football calendar.
NRL fans will be desperate to find out who will make it through to the grand final — the Canberra Raiders take on South Sydney on Friday night at home.
And Melbourne Storm face the Sydney Roosters at the SCG on Saturday night in the preliminary final, with all four vying for a sport in the NRL grand final on Sunday, October 6.
NAB figures show in Victoria across the long weekend they are expected to spend $37.2 million at supermarkets, local food retailers and liquor outlets and another $18.1 million at cafes, restaurants and pubs.
This is equivalent to 74 million beef sausages, 23 million pies, 59 million bread rolls or 19 million lentil patties.
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NAB’s executive general manager of transactional banking Andy Kerr urged fans to plan ahead before hitting the supermarkets and liquor stores for supplies, while publicans and club owners are expecting an influx of footy-mad fans.
“The busy peak period will be between 4pm and 6pm on Friday and also Saturday morning in the run up to the kick off for the grand final,” he said.
“If you are looking to do any shopping and you can plan around shopping early I would get in before 4pm on Friday otherwise leave it until after the Grand Final to do the weekly shop.”
He urged fans to enjoy the weekend but go armed “with a budget and be conscious of what you are going to spend”.
“We don’t want anyone waking up on Sunday or Monday morning with a financial hangover,” Mr Kerr said.
Popular Richmond watering hole, the Spread Eagle Hotel, has even rolled out a special brew this week in time for the Tigers’ chance to take home the holy grail.
The hotel’s owner Anthony Foster said they are getting prepared for their busiest weekend in 2019.
“It’s the biggest day of the year especially with Richmond being in the grand final,” he said.
“We took the punt with Richmond being in the grand final and brewed our own beer and called it the Tigerland Lager.
“With Richmond being in the finals the past couple of years it’s been a really footy festival and we are booked out on Friday for lunch and dinner.”
Mr Foster said they will go through twice as many kegs on grand final day as they do in one week.
Tickets to the hotel’s paid-entry event are selling fast but some are still available.
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