The AFL has confirmed the 2023 Grand Final Parade will return to land following last year's edition on the Yarra River which led to concerning reviews from those in attendance.
The league introduced the new path for the parade last year, with players from grand final sides Geelong and Sydney, among others, in a flotilla that streamed up and down the river in the heart of the city.
Patrons were left unsatisfied with the new-look parade, with some vantage points seen to be too far from the action as fans were unable to be up close and involved, unlike the more traditional strip where players are positioned in the back of utes and fans can be placed on the side of the road.
The AFL has now flipped back to the more traditional route, deciding to have the 2023 parade run through Birrarung Marr, Yarra Park and to the MCG from Melbourne Park in what is a return to a more recognised path.
Speaking to 3AW on Monday, AFL EGM of customer and commercial Kylie Rogers said the return to a more traditional parade will greatly satisfy fans on the eve of the competition's decider.
"I think we've made a lot of people happy this morning," Rogers said. "We wanted our fans to be closer to the action, so we are going back to the streets.
"We're pretty excited about the route, we're just working through the finer details now, but we think there's an opportunity at the Melbourne Park precinct near the grand slam venue, and then taking everyone through Birrarung Marr, Yarra Park and then into the MCG.
"You'll have the return of all your favourite players in the back of the truck and fans closer to the action."
The Grand Final Parade will take place on the eve of the season's finale - a public holiday for Victorians on Friday, September 29.
Along with the players and coaches featuring in the grand final, the Brownlow Medal winner, Coleman Medallist and Rising Star Award winner will also be on show, with entertainment and activities also held across the precinct.
The league is yet to announce the final acts for the grand final entertainment, which is expected to be announced early next month.