What Paris could learn from the AFL’s Yarra River bellyflop

The AFL failed to make a splash when it tried to reinvent the Grand Final Parade by floating it on the Yarra. Here’s what Paris could learn from Melbourne’s water-based dud for the Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Olympics organisers will be hoping for a better result than when the AFL tried for a river-based parade in 2022.

The eyes of the world will be on the Seine River in the early hours of Saturday morning (AEST) for an audacious Olympic Opening Ceremony floating past the Eiffel Tower.

Games chiefs will be hoping for a better result than Melbourne’s own attempt at a water-based bonanza – the spectacular dud of the 2022 Grand Final Parade.

“Underwhelming” is the word that springs to mind for Swans fan Georgia Arthana when she recalls the day.

An artist’s impression of what could be a spectacular opening ceremony in Paris. Picture: Supplied

“I thought it would be initially really cool,” Ms Arthana said.

“But then we only saw them (the players) for a little bit as they went by on the boat and then they were gone.

“We probably were waiting for an hour (and) then they went past in like five minutes, it was really underwhelming and you couldn’t even really see them that clearly.”

Footy fans Georgia Arthana and Natalie Henley-Smith waiting to see the AFL Grand Final parade on the Yarra River. Picture: David Crosling

Ms Arthana and thousands of disgruntled AFL fans were unable to see their heroes properly from the banks of the Yarra as they floated down the middle of the river on two sad barges, with a couple of smaller boats for captains and coaches.

Throngs of people lining Princes Bridge were also left furious when the boats turned around fully 300m before reaching the bridge.

Perhaps recognising the event was a damp squib, the AFL quickly went back to the traditional land-based parade in 2023.

Former Geelong skipper Joel Selwood waves at fans on the distant banks of the Yarra. Picture: David Crosling

“I wouldn’t be knocking anyone trying something different but tradition is a strong bond with fans and their favourite sportspeople and if you’re gonna break tradition, get ready, if it doesn’t work to cop some flak,” AFL Fans Association President Ron Issko said.

“It’s a risky break from tradition, like the AFL did, and in the AFL’s case it flopped, and they’re back to the tradition.”

Mr Issko said the big problem with the AFL’s footy river parade was a feeling of disconnection between superstar athletes and their adoring public.

“I think the whole thing was, the feeling was we were separate from them (the players).

“So I guess, the lessons learnt are if you’re too far away, you don’t get that connection with them.”