The 2016 AFL Grand Final was a memorable occasion, as the majority of the football community – those who don’t support the Sydney Swans - shared in the joy of a history-making day at the ‘G.
There was barely a dry eye in the house come 5.00pm on Saturday October 1, as the final siren at the MCG delivered the Western Bulldogs’ first premiership in 62 years, defeating the highly fancied Sydney Swans by 22 points.Such a fairytale seemed just that only a few weeks earlier, as an injury-hit Bulldogs strived to become the first club to win the flag from seventh position at the end of the home and away rounds. The 13.11 (89) to 10.7 (67) grand final scoreline was its fourth finals win in succession and ended the longest-running premiership drought among current AFL teams – and Melbourne fans need little reminder of who now holds that unwanted mantle.
In a seesawing struggle that had the crowd on the edge of their seats all afternoon, the Bulldogs led by eight points at the final change. Twice the Swans closed to within one point in a thrilling final quarter, before Liam Picken kicked truly on the run at the 17-minute mark that put the Dogs seven points up. However, it wasn't until Tom Boyd’s 55-metre goal four minutes later that the Bulldogs looked home with a 15-point lead.
Picken added another major five minutes later to seal the Bulldogs' victory. It triggered emotional scenes everywhere you looked inside the ‘G and at the Whitten Oval, where thousands of long-time Bulldogs fans who were unable to attend the game celebrated together.
For the victors, Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen provided dash off half-back all afternoon, while GWS recruit Boyd was influential, kicking three goals and taking some strong contested marks in the vital third quarter. Josh Kennedy, Tom Mitchell and Dane Rampe were the Swans’ best.
After the match, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge made the magnanimous gesture of presenting his premiership medal to injured captain and spiritual leader, Robert Murphy. It was one of the more memorable moments seen at the MCG in recent times – and that’s saying something.
For the second year running, the MCG was central to the build up to the match during the week, thanks to the AFL’s Foxtel Footy Festival in Yarra Park and the grand final parade, which finished outside MCG Gate 3 in Yarra Park. These events attracted healthy crowds and demonstrated the versatility of the parkland on the stadium’s doorstep.
The following morning, several thousand MCC Full members took their place in the rain outside Gate 2 to queue for walk-up seating in the Reserve to see the big match.
The club had announced early in grand final week that it would review the walk-up numbers of Full members and guest cardholders before determining whether Restricted members would be afforded access. After the initial queue cleared and the morning unfolded, it was felt the Members Reserve would reach capacity without the need to sell entry tickets to Restricted members.
So it was that the final ground attendance of 99,981 featured an MCC Reserve right on its capacity, with performers Vance Joy, Living End and Sting providing the perfect lead-in to the main event. It was the last grand final on CEO Stephen Gough’s watch, and it was a beauty.
On the Sunday after the grand final, around 25,000 people flocked to MCG Open Day, taking the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at Australia’s favourite stadium, including a kick on the turf and a peek inside the changerooms. Bulldogs fan or not, it capped off a memorable grand final weekend.