Kickoff Time Revealed: Mark Your Calendars for the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final

2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final: Everything you Need to Know

Start Time and Teams

The eagerly anticipated 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final between Collingwood and Brisbane will kick off at 2.30pm AEST on Saturday, September 30. This will be the third time these two sides have faced each other for a premiership since the competition became national. It’s worth noting that this is an AFL record. In fact, this will be the seventh time overall that these two teams have battled it out for the ultimate prize in Australian rules football.

Interestingly, this is the first time since 2014 that the grand final will feature the top two teams from the home and away season. In addition, Chris Fagan, the coach of Brisbane, will become just the second person to coach in an AFL Grand Final without having played at the highest level.

Both teams have a lot at stake heading into the final. Collingwood will be looking to secure their first premiership title since 2010, after being runners-up in 2011 and 2018. On the other hand, Brisbane is aiming to taste success for the first time since their famous three-peat from 2001 to 2003.

How to Watch

For fans in Australia, you can catch all the action on TV on Channel 7 and 7Plus in 1080p HD. If you prefer streaming the game, you can access the AFL Live Official App on your mobile or tablet devices. Simply download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

For international fans, the game will be available via Watch AFL. Make sure to check out the AFL‘s website for the full broadcast guide.

What’s Happening in Brisbane

If you happen to be in Brisbane or planning to travel there for the grand final, there are plenty of activities for you to enjoy before the big game. From Thursday to Saturday, head down to South Bank’s Riverside Green in the Parklands for some fun school holiday activities, including AFL clinics, inflatable AFL handball targets, face painting, and an AFL public activation.

The Lions are also hosting a free live event at the South Bank Piazza and Streets Beach on Grand Final day. This will allow fans to watch the game on a big screen and soak up the electric atmosphere. Check out the Lions’ website for a list of their Grand Final activities.

Collingwood fans can also visit the club’s finals hub for more information and activities relating to the grand final.

Starting Times for Viewers around Australia and the World

If you’re not in Australia but still want to catch the grand final action, here are the starting times for some key locations:

– United Kingdom: 5.30am, Saturday
– Europe: 6.30am, Saturday
– USA: 9.30pm, Friday (west coast); 12.30am, Saturday (east coast)
– Dubai: 8.30am, Saturday
– New Zealand: 5.30pm, Saturday
– Thailand: 11.30am, Saturday
– Japan: 1.30pm, Saturday
– Bali: 12.30pm, Saturday

International Grand Final Parties

The AFL‘s affiliate organisations are hosting grand final functions around the world. Check their respective websites for more details:

– AFL Asia: Functions in various cities including Phnom Penh, Hong Kong, Bali, Jakarta, Tokyo, Vientiane, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, and Saigon.
– AFL Middle East: Function in Dubai.
– AFL Canada: Functions in Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.
– AFL Colombia: Functions in Bogota and Medellin.
– USAFL: Functions in various cities including Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington.

Pre-Match Entertainment

The Telstra AFL Pre-Match Entertainment will be headlined by rock ‘n’ roll legends KISS. They will be supported by a host of Australian artists, including Mark Seymour & the Undertow, didgeridoo player William Barton, Indigenous artist Jess Hitchcock, and the beloved Mike Brady.

Notably, award-winning singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke will perform the Australian national anthem during the pre-match entertainment.

Umpires and Medal Presenters

Experienced umpire Matt Stevic will officiate his 11th AFL Grand Final, making him a veteran in the field. He will be joined by fellow field umpires Simon Meredith, who has officiated in seven grand finals, and debutant Hayden Gavine. Robert Findlay, a 2023 All-Australian umpire, completes the field umpires’ lineup.

The boundary umpires for the grand final will be Ian Burrows, Christopher Gordon, Matt Tomkins, and Michael Barlow. The goal umpires will be Adam Wojcik and Angus Mckenzie-Wills, with Brodie Kenny-Bell as the emergency.

Former Carlton and West Coast champion Chris Judd, winner of the 2005 Norm Smith Medal, will present this year’s edition of the medal to the player judged best on the ground. The Norm Smith Medal is traditionally presented by a previous winner, and last year it was handed over by Nathan Buckley.

Josh Kennedy, former Sydney premiership player and captain, has been named the Premiership Cup Ambassador. If Collingwood wins, Peter Moore, former captain and Brownlow medallist, will present the cup to his son Darcy Moore and coach Craig McRae. If Brisbane emerges victorious, Leigh Matthews, triple-premiership coach, will present the cup to co-captains Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews and coach Chris Fagan.

The Jock McHale Medal, awarded to the winning coach, will be presented by Mark Thompson, a three-time Essendon premiership player and a dual flag-winning coach of Geelong.

Weather Forecast

For those attending the grand final, the weather forecast is sunny with a top temperature of 29 degrees. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen, as it’s bound to be a day filled with sunshine and excitement.

How to Follow the Grand Final

For comprehensive coverage of the grand final, you can tune in to AFL.com.au or download the AFL Live Official App. Both platforms will provide live coverage throughout the day, including a full match center with stats and video highlights.

Additionally, you can expect the latest weather updates from the Bureau of Meteorology, captivating photos from photographers on the ground, and comprehensive post-match interviews with players and coaches.

What Happens if Scores are Level at Full-Time?

In the event that the scores are tied at the end of regular time, a series of additional time periods will be played to determine the winner. Here are the steps that will be followed:

1. Goal umpires confirm scores are identical.
2. There is a six-minute break.
3. Teams change ends.
4. Three minutes of Additional Time plus time-on is played.
5. At the end of the first Additional Time period, teams change ends without a break.
6. The ball is bounced or thrown up in the center, and another three-minute period of play commences.
7. If scores are still tied, the above steps will be repeated until a result is determined.

It’s important to note that there are some specific rules that apply during the Additional Time periods, such as the interchange cap and the access of runners to the playing arena.

In Summary, the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final promises to be an exciting showdown between Collingwood and Brisbane. With both teams hungry for success, the battle for the premiership will be fierce. For fans around Australia and the world, there are multiple ways to watch and follow the game. So, grab your footy gear and get ready to witness the pinnacle of Australian rules football.