The 2024 AFL Grand Final is just days away and the Brisbane Lions are set to take on the Sydney Swans, but eagle-eyed fans are already outraged by an apparent on-field error.
Saturday’s decider is the first between two “interstate” clubs since West Coast beat Sydney in a thriller in 2006, a factor that has limited Melbourne’s early-week excitement.
The MCG pitch appears to be in excellent condition ahead of the match but some fans are criticising an error with the team logos, pointing out that Brisbane appears on the left and Sydney on the right, when they should be the other way around.
Traditionally the AFL puts the home team’s logo first, and although neither team was Victorian in this year’s decider, the Swans won the minor championship, so they should be on the left.
One X user posted a photo of the MCG on Wednesday, complaining: “The logos are upside down.”
“I never understand how they do this. It happens regularly,” another replied.
Other social media users have pointed out that the reason for the change is to ensure that the logos correspond with where the team benches are located on the pitch.
The same situation arose last year when the Lions, who finished second in the standings, had their logo on the left at the MCG as they played minor premiers Collingwood in the grand final.
The AFL usually places the home team’s logo on the left for the grand final, meaning the Brisbane and Sydney symbols are upside down at the MCG this year (pictured)
The Swans (pictured playing Brisbane in Round 19 this year) finished in the minor league this year, with the Lions finishing the home-and-away season in fifth place.
The Lions flew to Melbourne on Wednesday and the Swans will join them on Thursday.
Both teams have already made early selection decisions, thanks to the disappointment caused by injuries.
Brisbane will replace ruckman Oscar McInerney (shoulder) with backup Darcy Fort, while Sydney ruled out ailing captain Callum Mills on Wednesday, with utility man Robbie Fox expected to keep his place.
Dane Rampe is expected to replace Mills as Swans captain, while the Lions have co-captains Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale available.
Both clubs will have to name their teams by Thursday evening.
The Sydney minor premiers will be hoping to avoid a fourth grand final defeat in 11 years, including a heavy loss to Geelong in 2022.
Trainer John Longmire is looking to secure his second championship title in a decorated training career after triumphing in 2012.
Brisbane are looking to bounce back from last season’s agonising grand final loss to Collingwood and secure coach Chris Fagan’s first title, and the club’s first since 2003.
AFL 2024 play-offs begin at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday 28 September.
The Lions, who finished the season in fifth place, are attempting to become only the second team, after the Western Bulldogs beat Sydney in the 2016 decider, to win the championship from outside the top four.
“You dare to dream and it gives me goosebumps… it seems like there are a lot of similarities (to 2016), but we all know you have to go out and do your job,” now-Lions and Bulldog champion midfielder Josh Dunkley said this week.
Brisbane opted to travel to Melbourne a day early for an additional training session ahead of Saturday’s match.
The Lions will be unable to train at the MCG on Thursday and will instead take up a spot at Punt Road Oval due to pop superstar Katy Perry rehearsing ahead of her headline show in Saturday’s grand final.
The captains and coaches will address the media for the last time before taking part in the grand final parade on Friday.
The AFL has already confirmed that Lions great Leigh Matthews will be handed the championship cup if Brisbane win, while former Sydney captain Stuart Maxfield will be given the same honour if the Swans prevail.
The week of the grand final has not been without problems for the league headquarters.
At least 1,000 corporate hospitality tickets for the game were illegally downloaded this week, forcing the league to cancel the barcodes on the affected tickets.
The scheduled delivery of those notes was delayed on Tuesday and replacements are scheduled to be issued.
But chief executive Andrew Dillon is convinced the league has avoided a ticketing disaster.