The all important 2021 AFL Grand Final is set to take place on Saturday and boy are we excited! It will be the Melbourne Demons and the Western Bulldogs who will do battle at Optus Stadium in Perth.
While Melbourne will again miss out on hosting the big dance, the decider is also set to be played at night for the second straight year (7:15 AEST, 5:15 local). The timing of the final is an unusual one for footy fans across the country who are used to a traditional start time of 2:30pm.
Whether you’re in COVID-19 lockdown with you’re immediate family or can be around a few mates, you are sure to still have a great time. Nevertheless, a night grand final and/or COVID-19 won’t stop die-hard footy fans from celebrating one of the most anticipated days on the Australian calendar!
Decorate!
Deck the house out in your favourite teams colours. Whether it’s the red and the blue for Melbourne or you are adding white for the Western Bulldogs, there’s so many ways you can decorate. From balloons, to streamers and even flags, the options are almost endless. My personal favourite is the classic inflatable fingers!
Be sure to decorate anything from the staircase to the TV set as well as showing off to your neighbours by decorating the front yard too!
For all AFL decorations, some can be found here!
Have a feast! (and a few sneaky drinks too)
It’s the part I certainly look forward to the most. Oven food is definitely my go to. Hot pies, sausage rolls, footy franks, chicken nuggets, quiches, pretty much anything in the frozen section ahhhh the list goes on and on (I’m literally drooling).
Being a night Grand Final, you may even decide to cook a BBQ dinner! While snags and onions sound like a good choice, go up a notch maybe a nice steak? Marinate some meat and make a nice brisket, or even cook up some garlic prawn skewers, they’re always a hit!
Be sure to make some salads and ALWAYS remember you are stocked up with your favourite sauces!
Too nervous to cook? Order food online and get it delivered (or drive and pick it up).
Saturday nights are always the perfect excuse to have a drink, so be sure to treat yourself with a responsible amount of your favourite alcoholic beverage! Here is one of my favourite’s:
Deck out in your team’s colours!
Chuck your guernsey on and wrap that scarf around your neck. There’s no better way to show your support than wearing your team’s colours loud and proud.
Have a kick of the footy
Before you chuck the Sherrin away for a few months, nothing makes your adrenaline pump more than having a kick with your family and/or friends before the first bounce. Whether it be on the street, in your front/backyard or even inside your house, this is always a fun tradition.
If the sun is still shining in your state at half-time, feel free to kill your half-time nerves too!
Most importantly, enjoy the the 2021 AFL grand Final and may your team win!