September stories at the ‘G - Huge crowds and thrilling finals

A new AFL season attendance record at the MCG was just one of many narratives that would form a memorable September at the People’s Ground in the venue’s 170th year.

Throughout the 2023 AFL Finals Series, the MCG hosted six matches – five of which saw crowds of more than 90,000 fans and MCC members enter through the turnstiles.

Week 1 of the Finals Series saw back-to-back crowds of over 92,000 on Thursday and Friday night as Collingwood took on Melbourne and Carlton hosted the Sydney Swans the following night. The trio of matches that week saw the GWS GIANTS defeat St Kilda in front of 68,465 fans on the Saturday.

Crowds continued to grow for the next three weeks – 96,412 in attendance for the Semi-Final between Melbourne and Carlton, and 97,665 for the Preliminary Final between Collingwood and GWS, before maxing out at 100,024 for the biggest game of the season.

Across the six matches, 547,228 fans entered the MCG with an average crowd of 91,205. In total, 3,319,002 fans attended the MCG for an AFL match in 2023 – a record-breaking season – with an average crowd of 62,623.

With the Minor Premiership secured, Collingwood entered the Finals Series as premiership favourites, however had to fight hard throughout the series with a number of nail-biting thrillers headlining their campaign leading into the Grand Final. including seven-point victory over Melbourne in the Qualifying Final and a one-point victory over the GWS GIANTS in the Preliminary Final.

One of the warmest Grand Final days in recent memory –would also provide one of the most gripping Grand Final encounters - the first-half free-flowing and high scoring, and the second dominated by defensive pressure.

In-front of a capacity MCG crowd of 100,024 – the second year in a row that the AFL Grand Final reached the maximum attendance of the MCG – the match remained in the balance in the final stages, with less than one goal separating the two teams at the final siren.

The classic Grand Final – touted as one of the best of the modern era – saw Collingwood claim their 16th VFL/ AFL premiership, drawing equal first with Carlton and Essendon for most premierships won. The Grand Final was the ultimate finish to an incredible season with new history made at the ‘G.

The GWS GIANTS and Carlton - who were seemingly out of Finals contention earlier in the year both had compelling campaigns challenging the ladder leaders in the Finals Series. September also marked the passing of Australian Football Legend Ron Barassi AM.

A giant of the game with the most VFL/ AFL premierships of all-time, Barassi was a formidable force across four Clubs - Carlton, Melbourne, North Melbourne and the Sydney Swans, with the football community coming together to celebrate a football career and life like no other.

2023 AFL Finals Series at the ‘G

First Qualifying Final
Collingwood 9.6 (60) defeated Melbourne 7.11 (53)
Crowd: 92,636

First Elimination Final
Carlton 11.8 (74) defeated Sydney Swans 9.14 (68)
Crowd: 92,026

Second Elimination Final
St Kilda 11.11 (77) defeated by GWS GIANTS 15.11 (101)
Crowd: 68,465

First Semi-Final
Melbourne 9.17 (71) defeated by Carlton 11.7 (73)
Crowd: 96,412

First Preliminary Final
Collingwood 8.10 (58) defeated GWS GIANTS 8.9 (57)
Crowd: 97,665

AFL Grand Final
Collingwood 12.18 (90) defeated Brisbane Lions 13.8 (86)
Crowd: 100,024