Your ULTIMATE guide for AFL Grand Final Day

Every year, AFL Grand Final Day is action-packed with events before, during and after the last game of the season.

Here we've compiled some answers to the question you might be looking to solve throughout Saturday as you work your way through the day.

All times listed are AEST. 

How do I watch the AFL Grand Final?

The game will be held at the MCG, with the first bounce scheduled for 2:30pm (AEST). Pre-match coverage on Channel 7 and 7HD to commence at 7:00am (AEST).

Fans will be able to watch the AFL Grand Final on TV or via a live stream. Details can be found below.

MORE: FULL DETAILS ON HOW TO WATCH AFL GRAND FINAL

What time does everything start?

Here is the run schedule for the main events for the AFL Grand Final

TIME	ACTIVITY
12.15pm	Coles Grand Final Sprint Heats
12.38pm	Coles Grand Final Sprint Final
1:31pm	Grand Final Motorcade in Toyota HiLux vehicles
1.36pm	Mike Brady performance
1.42pm	Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment – KISS performance
2.11pm	Umpire entry and Toyota match ball delivery
2.13pm to 2.16pm	Teams enter
2.24pm	Delivery of the 2023 Premiership Cup by Josh Kennedy, Premiership Cup Ambassador
2.25pm	MC Hamish McLachlan – Intro Welcome to Country
2.25pm	Welcome to Country by Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr.
2.26pm	National anthem performed by Kate Miller-Heidke
2.28pm	Coin toss
2.30pm	2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final commences

 

Who is performing at the AFL Grand Final?

American rock band KISS are the headline act for the grand final, with their performance to come pre-game at 1:42pm on the MCG.

Australian icon Mike Brady will perform at 1:36pm.

Half-time entertainment will include Mark Seymour and The Undertow, with Special Guest Kate Miller-Heidke.

What is the weather forecast for the AFL Grand Final?

Melbourne's weather forecast for Saturday, September 30 is a maximum of 28°C and Sunny.

Which Umpires are officiating the AFL Grand Final?

Matt Stevic, Simon Meredith, Hayden Gavine, and Robert Findlay have been revealed as the four field umpires for this year's big dance. Andrew Stephens is the emergency.

Veterans Stevic (11 Grand Finals umpired) and Meredith (7) have each overseen their fair share of deciders, whereas Saturday will represent maiden Grand Final appearances for Findlay, who was earlier named this year's All-Australian field umpire, and Gavine.

2023 will represent Stevic's tenth-straight Grand Final umpiring outing.

FULL UMPIRE APPOINTMENT SHEET FOR 2023 GRAND FINAL

What happens if the Grand Final is a draw?

Should the score of both teams be level at the end of the final quarter, both goal umpires will confirm their scores are identical before moving the match into extra time after a six-minute break.

Both teams will then have two three-minute halves, changing ends at the conclusion of the first three-minute half.

Should scores remain level, a further two three-minute halves will be added until a winner is found.

Who is voting on the Norm Smith Medal?

A five-person panel will vote on the Norm Smith Medal, including:

Luke Darcy (Channel Seven, Chair)
Eddie Betts (All Australian Selector and Fox Footy)
Jude Bolton (All Australian Selector and Triple M)
Sarah Olle (AFL.com.au)
Luke Shuey (Retired West Coast Eagles Captain and 2018 Norm Smith Medallist)

Who is running in the Grand Final Sprint?

One player from all 18 AFL clubs will be participating in the 2023 Grand Final Sprint, with past winner Josh Rotham and Geelong's Max Holmes among the headlining representatives.

This year's sprint will commence with two separate heats including nine runners each, with the eight best runners from the heats to take their place in the final sprint.

The heats are scheduled to commence at 12:15pm.

FULL LIST OF 2023 GRAND FINAL SPRINT RUNNERS

What is the Future Stars game and who is playing?

Saturday morning will see the Future Stars game take place at the MCG, with Team Selwood coming up against Team Naitanui as the leading prospects for the 2024 draft take to the field.

The game will commence at 9:35am on Saturday at the MCG, with those in attendance for the grand final able to watch the match.

The game includes some familiar surnames, including Ashcroft, Camporeale and Burgoyne.

MORE: FUTURE STARS TEAMS 

Who is taking part in the Longest Kick competition?

The Longest Kick competition has become a new tradition on grand final day, with players both past and present flexing their long-range kicking abilities on the Yarra River.

Hawthorn captain James Sicily headlines this year's list of participants, which also includes a pair of ex-AFL players and a 2023 draft prospect.

The Longest Kick will be streamed live via Fox Footy and Kayo from 11:30am.

LONGEST KICK PARTICIPANTS LIST