AFL grand final Collingwood vs Brisbane: Lions fans gather in numbers at parade

If Collingwood thought the grand final was a one-sided fan affair, Friday’s parade proved otherwise as the Brisbane supporter base made themselves heard.

AFL Grand Final Parade for the Brisbane Lions and The Collingwood Magpies Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

The Brisbane faithful have invaded Melbourne.

If the Magpies thought this grand final was theirs to own, Friday’s parade through the streets of Melbourne proved otherwise.

From Fairfield to Fitzroy and everywhere in-between, Lions fans flocked to the home of footy in their tens of thousands to lend their voice to a David versus Goliath battle of club fandoms.

The biggest club in the land flexed its might in the traditional grand final parade but the travelling Lions supporters ensured their boys felt at home on the road.

Fan favourite Deven Robertson has come a long way from his quiet debut three years ago to preparing to play in front of 100,000 on Saturday.

The young Lion became Insta-famous earlier this year when his jumper was ripped off during a game against Collingwood and he said he couldn’t count the requests for him to show a bit of skin during the parade.

Callum Ah Chee (left) and Deven Robertson enjoy the parade. Picture: Getty Images

“Me and Cal (Ah Chee) tried counting how many times we heard the comment about my shirt, we gave up at 50 two minutes in,” he said.

Robertson, 22, exploded on social media after the jumper incident, soaring to more than 90,000 followers.

Many of those crammed into the MCG on Friday morning to catch a quick glimpse of Robertson and his teammates.

It is a far cry from his debut in round one, 2020, which was one of the first games played at the MCG in front of no fans due to Covid.

“There was a lot more than my debut,” Robertson mused.

“I debuted there in front of zero (fans) in the Covid year, but there was definitely a really good turnout for the captain’s run.”

Brisbane hit the hallowed MCG turf on Friday morning for a captain’s run unlike any other.

Fans piled into the Ponsford Stand to serenade their heroes with a rousing rendition of Charlie Cameron’s Country Roads anthem, signalling the Lions’ arrival on the grand final stage – and perhaps a preview of things to come.

The Gabba’s greatest show has hit the road.

Lions supporters out in droves. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“That was pretty special,” Lions livewire Cameron said.

“I wasn’t on the speakers so I told Rhys Mathieson to play Country Roads for the fans.

“It was a great turnout from the supporters today and hopefully it’s a good turnout tomorrow.”

Coach Chris Fagan drew the loudest cheer when he emerged from the race to place cones for the Lions’ final training run before a date with destiny on Saturday.

Jack Payne hit the track but trained in a tracksuit – his grand final dream dashed a day earlier when Fagan preferred preliminary final hero Darcy Gardiner for the decider.

Payne looms as Brisbane’s grand final hard luck story after an ankle injury held over from the qualifying final win over Port Adelaide derailed the key defender’s breakout campaign at its highest point.

Retiring great Daniel Rich saluted for what will likely be his final training session for the club – and in one of his final acts as a Lion spent the morning offering advice to dashing young defender Darcy Wilmot, who will play for a premiership in just his 29th game.

If the Lions were nervous, they didn’t show it.

Charlie Cameron sent drop goal bombs from outside 50 that sailed through to roars of approval from fans behind the goals.

Charlie Cameron is a fan favourite. Picture: Getty Images

Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews led the team to the boundary for a final send off to the faithful.

The next time the Lions stand on the MCG turf it will be in front of 100,000 fans.

Two people soaking up the atmosphere in the stands were longtime Lions fans Anne Taylor and Meredith Thornton.

Cleveland local Anne would catch five buses and a taxi every week to make it to and from the Gabba for games until she met Meredith on one of those buses midway through the season.

Now the two carpool to games together and made the trip to Melbourne to cheer on their beloved Lions.

“I’ve been in Brisbane for 52 years. When my eldest daughter had my first granddaughter they offered my partner and I their membership tickets and they created a monster in me,” Anne recalled.

“I go to every game. When I lived in Melbourne I never went to a game.

“Last year when Brisbane beat Richmond and then Melbourne down here I booked my ticket but we didn’t get into the grand final. I came down anyhow.

“I thought we may have a chance again this year so I booked the tickets earlier. This time thankfully they’re in.”

Meredith Thornton (left) of Warwick and Anne Taylor of Cleveland at the Brisbane Lions’ Captain’s Run at the MCG on Friday.

Mackay Lions fans Andy and Holly Gillespie bit the bullet months in advance and gambled a fair chunk of change on their team finally making the leap.

For the past three years they have shelled out for flights and accommodation ahead of time in the hope the Lions would get to the grand final.

“We watched them lose to GWS a number of years ago by a few points … prior to that when we lost a close one to the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba, that one hurt,” Andy said.

“It’s been a number of years of investment for this moment where you get the opportunity to just maybe see them win.”

So confident were they that this year would be the one, they went one extra and bought a corporate package to guarantee their place in the stands on grand final day.

“Twelve weeks ago we booked flights and accommodation,” Andy said.

“Flights were $2000. Accommodation was $1500. And then to guarantee a ticket to the grand final in the hope the Lions would get there, we bought tickets to the Crown Casino Breakfast and those were $2500 a pop.

“So yeah, out of pocket the best part of $8000 before we even got on the plane, but well worth it.”

The fans are ready. The players are ready.

The Gabba show has hit the road. Game on.

Originally published as AFL grand final Collingwood vs Brisbane: Lions fans gather in numbers at parade