When Perth was granted the grand final it was never meant to have, the AFL said there would be no grand final parade.
While there might not have been time to organise the traditional extravaganza that fills the streets of Melbourne each year, the City of Perth managed to create something just as special.
Thousands of fans gathered at either end of the Murray Street Mall on Friday afternoon — Bulldogs supporters at the William Street end, opposite Demons fans near Barrack Street.
Many waved flags high and proud, others simply cheered as they made their way through the CBD.
Among the crowd was WA Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan, who had supported Melbourne since she was seven years old, having grown up in Victoria.
"It started from the fact that everyone in our suburb barracked for Collingwood and my sister thought we needed to create a bit of opposition," she said.
She said it was the "most unbelievable fluke" that Perth had been chosen to host this year's final.
"I've never felt confident like I do with this game," she said.
"They are just playing so superbly, there is so much talent and style in that team, we can't lose."
The thunderous sound of the City of Canning band playing Melbourne's theme song, It's a Grand Old Flag, filled the mall as the Demons made their way to Forrest Place.
They were followed closely by Bulldogs fans marching to the City of Perth band playing Sons of the West.
Also among the crowd were students from the nearby St George's Anglican Grammar School, whose teachers had organised for them to experience the buzz of 'grand final eve' on the last day of term.
'Nobody says no to the people of Perth'
For the many who couldn't squeeze into Forrest Place itself, the balconies provided the perfect spot to watch the festivities from above.
Melbourne legend Shane Woewodin, Bulldogs hero Danny Southern and football legend Allen Jakovich spoke to the crowd, before broadcaster and Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas took to the stage.
"Look what we've done," he said.
"We wanted a parade, they said no. We wanted another parade, they said no.
On top of the 60,000 lucky fans who have secured tickets to the biggest game Perth has ever seen, thousands more are expected to watch the game from various pubs and restaurants around the city.
