Showers expected before the AFL Grand Final bounce

FANS heading to the AFL Grand Final parade will be praying for the rain to stay away with showers forecast for this afternoon. See the forecast for today and tomorrow.

Tigers fans Nick, 11, Tahlia, 9 Emma, 8 and Maya, 9 at Punt Rd Oval. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

FEVER footy is roaring in Melbourne today with no chance showers could dampen the mood in anticipation of the AFL Grand Final.

Today will be mostly sunny in the CBD with showers expected to fall in the afternoon.

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Punters going to the AFL Grand Final Parade, starting at noon, should be in the clear from the wet weather and able to enjoy today’s top of 19C.

Marching bands, entertainers and players will make their way from Old Treasury Building to the Live Site at Yarra Park today.

But there is a gale warning for west coast, cental coast and central Gippsland and a strong wind warning in Port Phillip, Western Port and east Gippsland coast today.

A thunderstorm could even hit the eastern suburbs in the evening.

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Showers will fall on Saturday morning and into the afternoon for the AFL Grand Final.

It will be a top of 16C, so rug up in your team colours.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Dean Stewart said the showers, up to 0.4mm, were most likely to fall in the eastern suburbs rather the CBD.

“There will be one or two light showers in the morning but most likely they will clear by the time the game starts,” Mr Stewart said.

“It is unlikely during the game.”

Fans heading into the ‘G before the match may be caught in a light shower, while those hanging around to see The Killers after the game should be in the clear.

A gale warning will be in place in Port Phillip, Western Port, West Coast, Central Coast, Central Gippsland Coats and East Gippsland Coast with a strong wind warning in Gippsland Lakes.

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Tigers fans are hoping to see their team break a 37-year premiership drought.

A Punt Rd Oval live site has sold out.

Crows fans are pining for a win as they have not been in a Grand Final clash since ‘98.

Crows fans celebrate making it through to the Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

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Adelaide Crows fans who also miss out on seats are expected to pack out the free Live Site — part of the Footy Festival — at Yarra Park during the Grand Final between 9am to 6pm.

For those heading to the Grand Final Breakfast at Plenary Hall in the city on Saturday, pack an umbrella or make a fast dash from the car to the 8am event to escape the showers.

The Tigers army is on the prowl. Picture: AAP

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For those celebrating or commiserating, Sunday will reach a top of 17C with showers.

The temperature will rise to 19C on Monday, 21C on Tuesday and a top of 22C on Wednesday.

Thursday will be a high of 23C with a high chance rain will fall over the city.