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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jonathan Howcroft

Richmond Tigers beat Adelaide Crows by 48 points in 2017 AFL grand final – as it happened

Dustin Martin of the Tigers celebrates.
Dustin Martin of the Tigers celebrates. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/AFL Media/Getty Images

I think that’s about all from me for today. And what a day it’s been for Richmond, deserved premiers for the first time in 37 years after a rollicking finals campaign.

Keep your eyes peeled for more insight and analysis from the grand final elsewhere on these pages.

Thanks for your company, and thanks for joining in. We’ll be back to do it all again next year.

Updated

Jack Riewoldt of the Tigers celebrates with fans.
Jack Riewoldt of the Tigers celebrates with fans. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/AFL Media/Getty Images

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A perfect handover, faultless lift from Cotchin and Hardwick, and the rest of the team pile in. Yellow and black confetti, the song blaring, memorable scenes for the Tiger Army.

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Here’s Richo with the cup...

Trent Cotchin with the ‘thank yous’. Damien Hardwick with a few of his own, including a nice little plug for Puma for enabling them to resign Dustin Martin. A special mention too for the famous Mrs Hardwick.

“To the Tiger Army, this one’s for you!”

Mick Malthouse presents the Jock McHale Medal to Damien Hardwick.

Surprisingly comprehensive for Martin in the end.

Updated

Now the Richmond players receive their medals and hand out caps to the little Auskick tackers. I always find this one of the genuinely heartwarming moments in sport. The way these big fellas gently place the caps on the starry-eyed kids’ heads.

“Congratulations, you’re a legend,” says one to Jack Riewoldt. Bloody brilliant.

Dustin Martin claims the Norm Smith medal

James Hird, to a mixed reception, awards the Norm Smith medal to DUSTIN MARTIN!

Updated

Short and sweet from Taylor Walker, thanking sponsors, promising a swift return, but little else.

The presentation ceremony is underway.

Richmond end 37-year wait - the report

Richmond: 2017 AFL premiers.
Richmond: 2017 AFL premiers. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Updated

What a day for Richmond. What a season.

Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin: premiership players.
Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin: premiership players. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

Trent Cotchin:

Today’s performance echoes what we’ve been about all year. 22 contributors, and Dusty’s pretty special.

Jack Riewoldt is on the verge of tears, with Richo, who has been crying.

Dustin Martin:

I honestly cannot believe it, it’s a dream come true, the best feeling in the world. I’m so proud of every player today.

Dion Prestia’s in tears:

We knew it was going to be a grind... I never thought I’d be here but we absolutely love each other and you can tell that on the scoreboard.

Richmond claimed their first premiership in 37 years with a convincing victory over Adelaide at the MCG.
Richmond claimed their first premiership in 37 years with a convincing victory over Adelaide at the MCG. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/AFL Media/Getty Images

Richmond win by 48 points

Adelaide 8.12 (60) v Richmond 16.12 (108)

It’s Tiger time!

Q4 02:00 remaining - Adelaide 8.12 (60) v Richmond 16.12 (108)

Nankervis another name to throw into the Norm Smith mix, which, let’s be honest, is a lottery right now. The big man has done his best work around the ground, especially floating back into defence and taking some crucial marks.

Surprisingly, captain Cotchin is probably one of the few names not in the running.

Q4 04:30 remaining - Adelaide 8.12 (60) v Richmond 16.11 (107)

Cameron slots a consolation.

Q4 05:30 remaining - Adelaide 7.12 (54) v Richmond 16.11 (107)

No mercy from the Tigers. They are feasting on the carcass of the Crows. Martin front and square, hooking, and the Brownlow, AFL MVP, AFLCA MVP, kicks Richmond’s 16th.

Brendon Gale in tears.

Q4 07:00 remaining - Adelaide 7.12 (54) v Richmond 15.10 (100)

Butler with a beauty of a bender after winning a holding the ball free.

Richo’s in tears.

Q4 09:00 remaining - Adelaide 7.12 (54) v Richmond 14.10 (94)

To their credit Adelaide aren’t lying down, but their bursts of effort are being matched and raised by the Tigers in defence. Again the Crows look to be in a promising situation but again a superb defensive effort sparks a rebound that culminates in a Houli set shot from 40m that slides wide. The clearing kick is picked off by Townsend 35m out on an angle and he makes no mistake.

Q4 12:00 remaining - Adelaide 7.12 (54) v Richmond 13.9 (87)

So, who’s going to collect the Norm Smith? Prestia and Martin lead the Tigers for disposals with 23. Graham is the leading goalkicker with three. No Richmond player has more than five tackles. Bachar Houli is leading the fantasy scoring by some margin, ahead of Riewoldt and Lambert. And that’s without mentioning Rance who’s been supreme intercepting and setting up Richmond from the back.

Could they mint 22 and give it to the entire team? It seems hard to single out one individual in what has been an all-round effort.

Q4 14:30 remaining - Adelaide 7.11 (53) v Richmond 13.8 (86)

Walker taken high in a marking contest and Adelaide have two in a row.

They couldn’t, could they?

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Q4 15:00 remaining - Adelaide 6.11 (47) v Richmond 13.8 (86)

Q4 15:30 remaining - Adelaide 5.11 (41) v Richmond 13.8 (86)

The contrast in speed and intensity between these sides has grown the longer the game has gone on. It’s like playing a console game with one team on expert setting, the other on beginner. Even when Adelaide win the ball they look shellshocked in possession. And they don’t have it for long because Richmond have so much momentum. The Crows seem the likelier to score from a few phases of play but it ends with Prestia bagging another for the Tigers.

Q4 18:00 remaining - Adelaide 5.10 (40) v Richmond 12.8 (80)

Another quarter begins with Richmond on top and a Tiger taking a strong mark, Rioli this time though, not Riewoldt. Nankervis belts the loose ball forward towards the forward pocket and from the ball-in the pressure is unrelenting until a centring ball finds the leaping Riewoldt who out-marks Cameron and kicks his second from 25m.

Party time for the Tiger Army.

Q4 20:00 remaining - Adelaide 5.10 (40) v Richmond 11.8 (74)

The best quarter in a generation for an army of Richmond supporters is underway.

It’s Tiger Time.
It’s Tiger Time. Photograph: Matt King/AFL Media/Getty Images

Richmond lead by 34 points at three quarter time

3QT - Adelaide 5.10 (40) v Richmond 11.8 (74)

Atkins has a golden opportunity to stem the bleeding but misses the lot from 45m on the run. The ball-in ends with Jenkins 45m out but his poor game is reinforced with a mishit behind.

Lynch, Jenkins, Otten, Walker and Betts have just 20 disposals between them.

Q3 02:00 remaining - Adelaide 5.9 (39) v Richmond 11.8 (74)

The old adage about finals being won by the bottom six on a list is worth repeating again. Andy Otten for example just featured in the TV broadcast, and it wasn’t flattering. The utility has four disposals and two free-kicks against for the game so far. Mitch McGovern’s hamstring never looked so valuable.

In case you were wondering, more relentless Richmond pressure has led to a series of shooting opportunities but only a couple of behinds have resulted.

Q3 05:00 remaining - Adelaide 5.9 (39) v Richmond 11.6 (72)

We might need some new topics of conversations soon because this one looks all over. Richmond are overrunning Adelaide like the White Walkers approaching the wall. There is nothing the Crows can do stop the repeat incursions or send the ball back the other way.

Q3 07:30 remaining - Adelaide 5.9 (39) v Richmond 11.6 (72)

Castagna goals from Martin’s strength inside-50.

I hope Matthew Richardson has his cup-presentation face ready.

Jason Castagna of the Tigers celebrates kicking a goal.
Jason Castagna of the Tigers celebrates kicking a goal. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/AFL Media/Getty Images

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Q3 08:00 remaining - Adelaide 5.9 (39) v Richmond 10.6 (66)

Richmond are like those nature documentaries about plagues of locusts, always buzzing, snapping, moving relentlessly forward. It’s irresistible. Even mistakes come up trumps and manifests as the much derided ‘perceived pressure’ so much that Adelaide can’t breathe when they collect the ball.

Q3 10:00 remaining - Adelaide 5.9 (39) v Richmond 10.5 (65)

Richmond dust themselves down and return to winning the clearance and working the ball forward. They work it all the way to goal machine Jack Graham who effortlessly slots his third from the arc on an angle.

Q3 11:00 remaining - Adelaide 5.9 (39) v Richmond 9.5 (59)

Adelaide have just about evened up the contest around the ground over the past couple of minutes. A free plus 50m to Douglas sets up a good attacking opportunity and once the ball lands in Tex Walker’s mitts you sense a defining moment is on its way. He has to kick this set shot from 45m straight in front - and he does! The Crows have a spark.

Q3 12:30 remaining - Adelaide 4.9 (33) v Richmond 9.5 (59)

Adelaide are facing a standing count. The Crows haven’t scored in over 40-minutes of football and Richmond are rampant.

A couple of behinds hints at a momentum shift but Houli, Martin and then Rioli make 70m in the blink of an eye before Riewoldt’s roost to the top of the square is cut off.

Daniel Rioli shows a turn of pace.
Daniel Rioli shows a turn of pace. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/AFL Media/Getty Images

Updated

Q3 14:30 remaining - Adelaide 4.7 (31) v Richmond 9.5 (59)

Another! Lambert!

Lid off.

Q3 15:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.7 (31) v Richmond 8.5 (53)

Wave after wave of pressure. Adelaide looking desperately for an outlet but everywhere they look there’s a yellow guernsey. Eventually Edwards has the composure to pick out Grigg in space and he wallops a sixth Richmond goal in a row!

Q3 16:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.7 (31) v Richmond 7.5 (47)

Adelaide in strife. They’re struggling to get hold of the ball and then when they do they immediately cough up a cheap free for a hold on Rance.

Martin draws four tacklers with a series of ‘don’t argues’ in heavy traffic but the resulting shot is marked inches from the line by the Crows. They can’t clear their lines convincingly though with a Tiger taking every clearing contested mark.

Josh Jenkins of the Crows gets bumped of the ball.
Josh Jenkins of the Crows gets bumped of the ball. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/AFL Media/Getty Images

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Q3 18:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.7 (31) v Richmond 7.4 (46)

Richmond out of the blocks quickly and it’s a start gilded by another Riewoldt contested mark that will look beautiful in a commemorative frame.

The quarter has all been played deep in Adelaide defensive territory with Martin, Butler and Houli all threatening to break free until a high tackle from Sloane on Graham creates a scoring opportunity - which he takes!

Tigers players react after Jake Graham (second from left) kicked a goal.
Tigers players react after Jake Graham (second from left) kicked a goal. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

Updated

Q3 20:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.7 (31) v Richmond 6.4 (40)

Back underway at the MCG. Can the Crows come back?

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Plenty of chuntering about umpires on the comments section and social media. This incident involving Eddie Betts that went unpaid seems to have caused particular outrage.

Tim Watson at half-time has said Adelaide’s players were arguing among themselves during the first half.

Richmond Win!!!! (The Grand Final Sprint)

Connor Menadue gives Tigers fans something to cheer at half time, holding off Jarrod Pickett in the traditional sprint.

Connor Menadue is the sprintiest player in the AFL.
Connor Menadue is the sprintiest player in the AFL. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The general take away from the eminence grises on TV seems to be that the first half was played on Richmond’s terms. Plenty of contact, increasingly scrappy, and dictated by the Tigers’ pressure rather than Adelaide’s ability to move the ball freely in the open.

Agreement that the Crows forwards have unperformed and the obvious improvement in the second half has to come from Walker, Jenkins and Otten who have barely been sighted so far.

Richmond’s intensity was a feature of the first half of the AFL grand final.
Richmond’s intensity was a feature of the first half of the AFL grand final. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

All the team stats pretty even at half-time.

Individually for Adelaide, Matt Crouch and Rory Laird lead disposals with 19 each. If the Crows win Rory Sloane probably with his nose in front of the Norm Smith with two goals to go with his 15 possessions.

Updated

Richmond lead by nine points at half-time

HT - Adelaide 4.7 (31) v Richmond 6.4 (40)

Superb quarter by Richmond to turn this contest on its head. The Tigers’ one-percenters in defence are staggering. Nothing is allowed just to happen, everything has a smother, a tackle a spoil or a chase.

In further bad news for Adelaide, Brown has picked up a knock.

The season’s best player has again turned it on in the AFL grand final.
The season’s best player has again turned it on in the AFL grand final. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Q2 01:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.7 (31) v Richmond 6.4 (40)

Four in a row to Richmond this quarter and the scoreboard now probably the fairest reflection of the balance of play from what we’ve seen so far.

Adelaide are working hard around the ball but they just can’t seem to affect play the same way as Richmond when the Tigers go on the hunt. Once in possession their hands have not been as assured either.

A deep ball into the Adelaide attacking goal-square has Betts ready to grubber through a goal but he’s marshalled just about legally enough to deny the opportunity and not concede the free-kick. Another dangerous entry is spoiled a few seconds later, Rance this time, doing just about enough.

Jake Kelly has a hamstring issue that’s being taped up.

Q2 03:30 remaining - Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 6.4 (40)

Centre clearance to the Tigers, quick breakway to Dusty one-on-one inside 50 and he monsters Brown, takes the mark and kicks the goal. Richmond rampant!

Q2 04:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 5.4 (34)

Richmond keep pushing and Jack Graham, in just his fifth match, belts home from 40m on the run. Richmond back in front.

Q2 04:30 remaining - Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 4.4 (28)

Lots of vital one-on-ones around the ground keeping this game on a knife’s-edge. Castagna does enough to bring what looked to be an Adelaide mark to ground, then Cotchin lays a huge tackle on Douglas, as Richmond pile on the pressure. The chokehold isn’t given enough time to force a submission as a free-kick is found somewhere around the ball-in.

Q2 06:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 4.4 (28)

Adelaide just a few inches off with their handballs in close, inviting Richmond’s ferocious pressure. A couple of free-kicks go their way though until there’s a stoppage underneath the the left behind post.

Richmond clear their lines, Martin unfurls a few rapid hand-offs, at least one to thin air, like a kid using all his special moves at once on Mortal Kombat. He is a force of nature.

Q2 08:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 4.4 (28)

Adelaide’s big men are having a mixed day. Jacobs is dominating in the ruck but Jenkins and Walker and failing to make any impact further forward.

Superb football from Laird to cut off the Richmond attack and set up Adelaide but the Tigers force a turnover of their own and earn repeat throw-ins deep in their forward 50. Adelaide defend well but as soon as they clear their lines Rance cuts off the attack and sets up the counter.

Another entry inside-50 sees Lever pinged for holding Townsend. He has a set shot from 45m out on a decent angle - and he nails it!

Q2 11:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 3.4 (22)

Sloane and Rance exchange contested marks - both have been instrumental so far - but neither side can control possession as that shower takes its toll.

Another long run of stoppages slightly on Adelaide’s terms comes to little until Richmond finally burst free. It’s in Martin’s hands and he picks out Lambert superbly but inexplicably the Tiger plays on instead of going back and taking the shot. His forced pass to Houli is smuggled out of play by Betts and from the stoppage Adelaide accept the rushed behind. Let off for the Crows.

Jack Graham of the Tigers is tackled.
Jack Graham of the Tigers is tackled. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Updated

Q2 13:30 remaining - Adelaide 4.6 (30) v Richmond 3.3 (21)

As with the opening quarter the pattern feels like it’s settling into the game being played on Richmond’s terms. The big tackles are Richmond’s, the pressure is hardest from the yellow guernseys and the bursts of noice from the crowd are from the Tiger army.

Adelaide’s defence is surefooted though and every so often they clear their lines and look like scoring whenever they go forward. It took all Rance’s desperation to cut off a certain six-points, but the Crows keep the pressure on until Walker lines up from deep in the right forward pocket that is shanked abysmally but eventually lands for a behind.

Q2 16:40 remaining - Adelaide 4.4 (28) v Richmond 3.3 (21)

Richmond’s first possession of the quarter is slick and the ball goes end to end swiftly until it reaches the waiting hands of Riewoldt. His third makable set shot of the day gets there! Just... It goes upstairs but Adelaide’s slipshod defending is too slow to get a fingertip to the snap that only just had enough purchase to earn the six points. Jack’s on the board.

Q2 18:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.4 (28) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

A much more stoppage heavy start to the second quarter, played mostly on Adelaide’s terms. Betts snaps a point and Richmond can’t clear their lines. Sloane picks it off and feeds Lynch 35m out pretty straight but he makes an almighty mess of the set shot.

Houli went down the race briefly but he’s back on the bench.

Ooh, a shower’s passing through. That’ll make things interesting.

Not much to mention stats wise.

Richmond lead the free-kick count 9-5.

Matt Crouch leads all-comers with 10 touches.

Laird has four marks and nine disposals.

Curious opening quarter. Richmond probably the better side but Adelaide are two goals ahead.

The Tigers haven’t been able to fashion much space inside 50 and the Crows’ backline have read the game well and not panicked under immense pressure.

At the other end it’s all been about Jacobs’ tap work and Adelaide reading the drop of the ball front and square.

Adelaide lead by 11 at quarter time

QT Adelaide 4.2 (26) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

It’s on at quarter time after Townsend kicks into the man on the mark with a shot after the siren. No punches thrown but plenty of pent up energy from two sides who have delivered a full-blooded opening term.

Jack Riewoldt’s spectacular mark was the highlight of a tight opening quarter of the AFL grand final.
Jack Riewoldt’s spectacular mark was the highlight of a tight opening quarter of the AFL grand final. Photograph: Matt King/AFL Media/Getty Images

Q1 01:00 remaining - Adelaide 4.2 (26) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

Adelaide are evening up the ledger in midfield again after 10-15 minutes of Richmond domination. Another centre clearance gives them territorial advantage and forces Rance to concede a rushed behind.

A ball-up inside 50m lands Adelaide’s way and yet again it’s a Crow front and centre, Greenwood I think, who collects the superb ruckwork from Jacobs and he slaps through another goal.

Q1 02:00 remaining - Adelaide 3.1 (19) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

Deliberate out of bounds in favour of the Crows 60m out allows Douglas to load up. He hits the top of the square, a pack forms, and Sloane is front and square to snap Adelaide back in front.

Old fashioned footy. Works sometimes.

Q1 02:30 remaining - Adelaide 2.1 (13) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

Centre clearance win for Richmond maintains the pressure. More incredible from the Tigers sends Adelaide scrambling but a free kick gives them respite. They can’t do anything with it other than clear their lines though but they’ll just be happy to see the pill in Tiger defensive territory for a while.

Nick Vlastuin of the Tigers and Eddie Betts of the Crows compete for the ball.
Nick Vlastuin of the Tigers and Eddie Betts of the Crows compete for the ball. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/AFL Media/Getty Images

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Q1 04:00 remaining - Adelaide 2.1 (13) v Richmond 2.3 (15)

After that early burst from Adelaide, Richmond have looked the more likely of the two teams. Tackles are being stuck allover the place, even Riewoldt running men down.

The umpires somehow pick a free against Cameron during a brutal passage of footy in Adelaide’s right forward pocket that again shifts the momentum Richmond’s way. A Hartigan mark settles things down.

But not for long. Richmond’s pressure is ferocious! Tackle and tackle, forcing fumbles and loose passes. Entries inside 50 come and come and eventually Houli has enough space to stick his left boot behind one that soars through the big sticks and puts the Tigers in front.

Bachar Houli celebrates his goal in the first quarter.
Bachar Houli celebrates his goal in the first quarter. Photograph: Matt King/AFL Media/Getty Images

Updated

Q1 07:00 remaining - Adelaide 2.1 (13) v Richmond 1.3 (9)

Big moment in the quarter with Adelaide set to attack from a free-kick but a quick play on results in an immediate tackle. Richmond counterattack at pace and the Crows defence doesn’t have time to regroup leading to Josh Caddy snapping the first goal in yellow and black for the day.

Q1 08:00 remaining - Adelaide 2.1 (13) v Richmond 0.3 (3)

Tigers back on the attack but again they can’t find the penetrating pass. Talia cuts the latest entry off from Houli and the Crows rebound.

Adelaide can’t get much momentum though with the Tigers cutting off the corridor and forcing the Crows along the flanks.

Q1 10:30 remaining - Adelaide 2.1 (13) v Richmond 0.3 (3)

Finally Adelaide get the ball forward and they move it beautifully through their lines until Vlaustin picks off a smart intercept. He coughed it up to Jacobs 60m out though and the Crows eventually find Riley Knight on an angle but he misses to the skinny side.

Q1 12:30 remaining - Adelaide 2.0 (12) v Richmond 0.3 (3)

Adelaide can’t clear their lines and Riewoldt takes a straightforward mark in the opposite pocket from the first but again he can’t get his lines right.

The Crows cannot clear their lines. Richmond pinning them in their defensive 50 and Riewoldt again kicks a behind.

Bad news for the Crows after Cameron went down heavily in a tackle. He’s struggling on the wrong side of the boundary. Looks like a knock to the calf.

Q1 14:50 remaining - Adelaide 2.0 (12) v Richmond 0.1 (1)

Speccy from Riewoldt! That is one for the ages. The Tiger leapt over two opponents and took a chest mark about seven feet off the ground.

45m out on an angle the set shot misses on the near side after the expected breeze fails to take hold.

Q1 15:50 remaining - Adelaide 2.0 (12) v Richmond 0.0 (0)

Two in the blink of an eye for the Crows! Betts, the oldest man on the ground, crumbs after Adelaide won the centre clearance and Nick Vlaustin fumbled in his goal square.

Q1 16:20 remaining - Adelaide 1.0 (6) v Richmond 0.0 (0)

Laird and Cameron have been busy for Adelaide which will please Pyke. The Crows think they’ve marked inside 50 but it isn’t paid, not that it matters too much as Adelaide’s pressure secures the ball in attacking territory and it’s eventually recycled to Sloane in space 40m out straight in front.

Adelaide’s number nine steps back and slots the opening goal of the 2017 granny.

Rory Sloane of the Crows celebrates kicking the opening goal.
Rory Sloane of the Crows celebrates kicking the opening goal. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/AFL Media/Getty Images

Updated

Q1 18:00 remaining - Adelaide 0.0 (0) v Richmond 0.0 (0)

As you’d expect, plenty of bumping off the ball and fierce attack at the footy from both teams.

Adelaide have first use but Rance cuts it off and Richmond enjoy the first proper spell of possession, nursing the ball forward until Martin and Rioli break lines and there’s a ball-up inside attacking 50. Free-kick Adelaide who clear their lines.

Peeeeeep!!!!!!!

Q1 20:00 remaining - Adelaide 0.0 (0) v Richmond 0.0 (0)

Underway in the 2017 AFL grand final!

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Adelaide win the toss and will kick to the City end in the first quarter.

Reality TV star Dami Im nails the national anthem. The Crows do that droopy arm starey thing, that’s somehow intimidating, for a few extra seconds after Im’s final bars.

Brent Harvey walks out to the centre square with the premiership cup. He hands it over to Matthew Richardson and Mark Bickley. One of that latter pair will hand the cup over to the captain of their former side later today.

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Under 10 minutes to go...

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I know it’s nearly the opening bounce, but this comment BTL cannot be allowed to go to waste:

Nene55:

Fevola still has a way to go to beat my Great Grandfather’s kicking feats of 94 yards (84.6 metres) & 84 yards (75.6 metres for a drop kick. He played fir West Adelaide, West Torrens & North Adelaide.

And here come the Crows, led by Tex Walker with a freshly trimmed Errol Flynn number above his upper lip. The roar for the No1 seeds is deepened with an audible boo from the Richmond fans.

Adelaide are in their home guernsey, dark shorts and hooped socks.

Updated

As far as prematch hype reels go, this C7 produced, Lleyton Hewitt narrated effort is one of the better ones. Incredible to think what Adelaide have been through in recent years.

Richmond’s drummers are striking up a rhythm as the Tigers make their way up the race and out on to the MCG. It’s yellow and back for them (not black and yellow) with white shorts and black socks.

The noise greeting them is deafening.

The umpires, wearing a Carlton clash guernsey M&M blue, stride out onto the MCG turf.

Damien Hardwick:

“I’ve been waiting since round six to get this opportunity to come back and play them again. There’s no doubt we go in as underdogs, that’s the harsh reality of it. They’re a fantastic side, they’ve put everyone to the sword, but we give ourselves a chance. If we play our best, we’re capable of beating anyone.”

Don Pyke:

“It’ll be a different week, we’ll embrace the week and we’ll prepare as we always do to come ready to play and perform. As much as we’re pleased with [winning the preliminary final], making the grand final is not what it’s about. It’s about winning a grand final and that’s what we now set our sights on doing.”

Coaches Don Pyke and Damien Hardwick get a taste of what’s to come at the end of the grand final parade.
Coaches Don Pyke and Damien Hardwick get a taste of what’s to come at the end of the grand final parade. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Personal beef time (yeah, probably not the time or the place, but what the heck).

Mike Brady is surrounded by loads of fans recording him on their smartphones, none of them joining in the actual singalong. Put your phones away for three minutes and you know, actually experience the thing you’re filming first hand.

Ah, here’s Mike again, live on stage:

The Killers
The Killers killed the pre-match entertainment. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

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All 44 players on show today will be making their grand final debuts. Craig Little spoke to Glenn Archer about the uniqueness of the experience.

Archer’s method of coping with the madness was to retreat inward and to visualise the game, placing himself in the moment as many times as he could in his own mind. He says coach Denis Pagan played an important role in getting the team’s anxiety levels right, ensuring that nobody would go over the top and do something stupid.

Now, back to the footy...

Some stats:

  • Adelaide have won the last three between these two sides, and all pretty comprehensively.
  • The last meeting came in round six with Adelaide winning by 76 points.
  • The Crows won 14 of the 15 games in which they scored over 100 points. They won just three of nine games when they failed to make the ton.
  • Richmond were the third-best defensive team in the competition, conceding just two scores of 100 points or more, the fewest of any team.
  • Adelaide have dominated the first halves of their finals, outscoring Greater Western Sydney and Geelong by a combined 19.14 to 6.13
  • Richmond have dominated the second halves of their finals, outscoring Greater Western Sydney and Geelong by a combined 20.12 to 7.13.
  • Adelaide is playing its first grand final since 1998 and third overall.
  • Richmond is playing its first grand final since 1982 and is aiming for its 11th premiership but first since 1980.
The Crows triumphed the last time these sides met, back in round six.
The Crows triumphed the last time these sides met, back in round six. Photograph: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

That was flippin’ marvellous. Well done The Killers.

It must be closing time pretty soon because this has just come on:

Better than Meatloaf.

Oh my, these boys have done their homework, slipping in a little Midnight Oil to ingratiate themselves with the locals.

The new single sits in the playlist about as welcome as a lengthy video umpire reviewed touched behind.

The Killers sound incredible on TV. Obviously it’s hard to get a vibe for what it’s like in the ground but this is some slick uptempo pop-rock .

Moving on to:

It’s time for the popular beat combo, The Killers.

Opening up with:

Bret Harris has a challenging (and in my opinion valid) take on the hosting of the AFL grand final remaining a Victorian monopoly.

History and tradition are wonderful things in sport, but keeping the big two footy grand finals in Melbourne and Sydney is both insular and inward-looking. And with the two codes competing for national supremacy, it is time for the premier football competitions in Australia to consider staging their grand finals in different locations.

Updated

It’s a pretty spectacular bunch of retiring greats going around the MCG this year. It includes a couple who missed out last year too, like Corey Enright and Brent Harvey. The biggest cheer of the lot is for the Hi-Lux containing Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd from the Bulldogs, an indication of the esteem in which that pair are held by an audience comprised largely of Crows and Tigers.

Hmmm, maybe I spoke too soon. Retiring Crow Scott Thompson raised the roof when he arrived on the track.

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The Welcome to Country is performed by Uncle Bill Nicholson.

Sing along, you all know the words...

Master storyteller Martin Flanagan dropped by earlier this week to advocate for the power of stories in a club’s success.

This Adelaide team has somehow come through the experience of having one of their number killed – their coach, the hub of their club, by his son. The Crows are bonded in a way the rest of us can only imagine.

BREAKING NEWS!

Brendon Fevola has won the longest kick competition. More details as they arrive.

Both teams have enjoyed a drama-free build-up to the showpiece. Richmond’s week obviously improved once Trent Cotchin was cleared of high contact on Dylan Shiel in the preliminary final, while Dustin Martin appears to be coping with the incredible attention lavished on him following his Brownlow Medal success.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick says his side has no fitness worries entering Saturday’s premiership decider. “We are in a good state ... we have probably been unchanged for the last three weeks,” Hardwick said. “The players are playing good consistent football and it really is the sum of the parts for our side – and most good sides are similar in nature.”

This incredible image was taken last night at the MCG. Beats sky writing to send a message.

“... to the M C Geeeee”

It’s cool at the MCG, the temperature unlikely to top 14C during the match. It’s dry and should remain so for the rest of the afternoon, but there is a gusty west-southwesterly.

The MCG in pristine condition
The MCG in pristine condition for the AFL grand final. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

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Incidentally, that means this year is the first time in 73 VFL/AFL grand finals that both teams go in unchanged.

Updated

Richmond XXII

  • B Brandon Ellis, Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes
  • HB Bachar Houli, David Astbury, Nick Vlastuin
  • C Kamdyn McIntosh, Trent Cotchin, Jacob Townsend
  • HF Kane Lambert, Dustin Martin, Josh Caddy
  • F Dan Butler, Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Rioli
  • FOL Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia, Shaun Grigg
  • I/C Shane Edwards, Jack Graham, Nathan Broad, Jason Castagna

Richmond line up as expected after enjoying a week of precious little grand final selection intrigue.

Richmond’s big guns
Richmond’s big guns are primed for the grand final. Photograph: Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images

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Adelaide XXII

  • B Rory Laird, Kyle Hartigan, Jake Lever
  • HB Paul Seedsman, Daniel Talia, Luke Brown
  • C David Mackay, Rory Sloane, Rory Atkins
  • HF Charlie Cameron, Josh Jenkins, Eddie Betts
  • F Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker, Richard Douglas
  • FOL Sam Jacobs, Brad Crouch, Matt Crouch
  • I/C Riley Knight, Jake Kelly, Hugh Greenwood, Andy Otten

No changes for the Crows, which means grand final disappointment for the injured Mitch McGovern who has failed to recover from his hamstring injury in time. The other hard luck story is Brodie Smith, the influential rebounding defender ruptured his ACL in the qualifying final and despite playing 23 games this season, the competition’s farcical rules mean if Adelaide win today Smith will have nothing to show for his season’s efforts.

Adelaide
Adelaide go into the grand final unchanged from their preliminary final victory over Geelong. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/AAP

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It's that one day in September

Good afternoon everybody and welcome to one of the grandest days in Australia’s sporting calendar, that one day in September. It is of course grand final time in the AFL with Adelaide and Richmond meeting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The opening bounce is 2.30pm local time but we thought we’d start the ball rolling early, soak up the atmosphere and savour the kitsch before the biggest game of the year actually gets underway.

That means there’s plenty of time to cover off all the major pregame items: the retiring players’ motorcade, the musical act, and if we’re lucky the longest kick competition. Because that’s what grand final day is all about, that intoxicating potpourri of expensive Hollywood production and greased pig country fete.

And Mike Brady. Lots and lots of Mike Brady. You have been warned.

There’ll also be plenty of time to get ready for the main event; consider the storylines and the stats, the variables and vicissitudes of 44 men (36 at a time) chasing an inflated leather ovoid around a cricket field.

The crowd will feature heavily too, all 100,000 of them at the ground and millions more around the world.

More than ever, I encourage you to join in the festivities. Contact details are at the top of the page so if you have something to share, please don’t keep it to yourself.

For now, well, I did warn you...

We’re going full kitsch on the blog today, no apologies.

Updated

Jonathan will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a piece on how much it means to Adelaide to be here today:

Updated

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