The stage is set for one of the most highly anticipated AFL Grand Finals in recent history as Collingwood and Brisbane prepare to face off in the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final. Scheduled to kick off at 2:30 pm AEST on Saturday, September 30, this clash promises to be an absolute spectacle.
This showdown marks the third time these two teams have battled for premiership glory since the competition went national, setting an AFL record. In total, this will be their seventh encounter on the grand stage, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the match.
What makes this Grand Final even more thrilling is that it’s the first time since 2014 that the top two sides, Collingwood and Brisbane, will face each other after the home and away season. Chris Fagan, the mastermind behind Brisbane’s impressive run, is set to make history as only the second person to coach in a VFL/AFL Grand Final without having played at the highest level.
Collingwood is hungry for their first premiership since 2010, having come close in 2011 and 2018. On the other hand, the Lions are chasing their first taste of silverware since their memorable three-peat in 2003 when they triumphed over the Magpies.
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How to Watch the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final
For fans in Australia, the action will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7Plus in stunning 1080p HD. If you prefer to watch on your mobile or tablet devices, the AFL Live Official App is your go-to source. Download it from the App Store or Google Play.
For international fans, Watch AFL is the platform to catch all the action. Be sure to check out the full broadcast guide for details on how to tune in from around the world.
What’s Happening in Brisbane?
From Thursday to Saturday, fans in Brisbane can join the festivities at South Bank’s Riverside Green in the Parklands. Activities include AFL clinics, inflatable AFL handball targets, face painting, and an AFL public activation. On Grand Final day, the Lions will host a free live event at the South Bank Piazza and Streets Beach, where fans can watch the game on the big screen. For a complete list of Lions Grand Final activities, visit their website.
Collingwood fans can also get into the spirit by visiting the club’s finals hub.
International Grand Final Parties
AFL fans around the world won’t miss out on the excitement. Numerous international Grand Final parties are being held by AFL affiliate organizations. Locations include Phnom Penh, Hong Kong, Bali, Jakarta, Tokyo, Dubai, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Bogota, Medellin, and various cities across the United States. Check with your local AFL affiliate for details.
Star-Studded Pre-Match Entertainment
The Telstra AFL Pre-Match Entertainment promises to be a star-studded affair. International rock ‘n’ roll legends KISS will headline the show, supported by Australian artists including Mark Seymour & the Undertow, William Barton on the didgeridoo, Jess Hitchcock, and the ever-popular Mike Brady AM. The Australian national anthem will be performed by award-winning singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke.
Umpires, Medal Presenters, and More
Veteran umpire Matt Stevic will lead the officiating team in his 11th AFL Grand Final appearance. Joining him are Simon Meredith, Hayden Gavine, Robert Findlay, and Andrew Stephens. The boundary umpires include Ian Burrows, Christopher Gordon, Matt Tomkins, and Michael Barlow. Goal umpires for the Grand Final will be Adam Wojcik and Angus Mckenzie-Wills.
The coveted Norm Smith Medal will be presented by former champion Chris Judd, who won the award in 2005. Premiership Cup Ambassador Josh Kennedy will hand over the Premiership Cup to the winning team. If Collingwood wins, Peter Moore will present the cup, and if the Lions triumph, Leigh Matthews will do the honors. Three-time Essendon premiership player Mark Thompson will present the Jock McHale Medal to the winning coach.
Weather Forecast
Spectators can expect sunny weather with a high of 29 degrees on Grand Final day, so don’t forget your sunscreen!
Event Schedule
The action-packed day includes various events leading up to the Grand Final kickoff:
- 9:35 am – AFL Futures match
- 12:15 pm – Coles Grand Final Sprint Heats
- 12:38 pm – Coles Grand Final Sprint Final
- 1:31 pm – Grand Final Motorcade in Toyota HiLux vehicles
- 1:36 pm – Mike Brady performance
- 1:42 pm – Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment – KISS performance
- 2:11 pm – Umpire entry and Toyota match ball delivery
- 2:13 pm to 2:16 pm – Teams enter
- 2:24 pm – Delivery of the 2023 Premiership Cup
- 2:25 pm – MC Hamish McLachlan – Intro Welcome to Country
- 2:25 pm – Welcome to Country by Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr.
- 2:26 pm – National anthem performed by Kate Miller-Heidke
- 2:28 pm – Coin toss
- 2:30 pm – 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final commences
Tied Scores at Full-Time? Here’s What Happens
In the event of tied scores at full-time, a unique set of rules applies:
- Goal umpires confirm identical scores.
- A six-minute break is taken.
- Teams change ends.
- Three minutes of Additional Time, plus time-on, are played.
- At the end of the first Additional Time period, teams change ends without a break.
- Another three minutes of play (plus time-on) commence.
- The siren will sound, and the team with the highest score is declared the winner.
- If scores are still tied, steps three to eight are repeated until a result is determined.
Additional Time periods have specific rules regarding interchange caps and runner access to the playing arena.
With all the excitement and anticipation building, the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final promises to be a historic and unforgettable event for fans around the world. Don’t miss a minute of the action!