It is arguably the biggest weekend in Australian sport and broadcasters have come down with a case of Grand Final fever.
In Melbourne, the build-up continues to the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final with the Sydney Swans doing battle with the Western Bulldogs. It is being billed as a classic David versus Goliath clash – the ‘Bondi billionaires’ versus the ‘Bulldog battlers’ with the latter featuring in their first Grand Final since 1961. Even 3AW’s Neil Mitchell (pictured) has been caught up in the puppy love broadcasting live from the Bulldogs final training session at Whitten Oval on Thursday.
The battle will also heat up in the commentary box with 3AW’s Denis Walter and Darren James kicking off the day from 7am at the traditional North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast. From 10am, Bruce Eva, Michael Christian, Mick Warner and Kane Cornes will begin previewing the day ahead before AFL legend Leigh Matthews, Ross Stevenson and Sam McClure move in after 11am. From midday, Tim Lane will be joined by some of the greatest players in the modern era including Matthew Lloyd, Luke Hodge, Luke Ball, Matthew Richardson and Cameron Ling.
Triple M Melbourne will also be there to say ‘Shut Up! The footy’s on your radio!’ from 12pm EST with James Brayshaw, Luke Darcy, Danny Frawley, Wayne Carey, Brian Taylor, Damian Barrett, Mark Howard, Dr Rohan White and Ash Chua getting you close to all the action.
SEN’s coverage begins at 1pm EST hosted by Anthony Hudson and Matt Granland with special comments and analysis from Mick Malthouse, Cameron Mooney, Michael Voss and Daniel Harford on the boundary.
It wouldn’t be Grand Final day in Melbourne without the iconic ‘The Coodabeen Champions’ on 774 ABC Melbourne kicking off at 10am. The Coodabeen Champions will be back in position next to Light tower six at the MCG for AFL Grand Final Day. With interviews galore, all the songs on display, crowd interaction and of course, the Coodabeens’ 12 secret herbs and spices known as footy talkback will make this Grand Final morning heaps of fun whether you’re there at the G or listening along at home.
Meanwhile in the Harbour City, the excitement is building ahead of another David vs Goliath clash in the 2016 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final. Minor premiers and twice Grand Final winners Melbourne Storm take on the Pride of the Shire, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Similar to the AFL Bulldogs, the Sharks have been long-starved of success with their last Grand Final appearance in the former Super League in 1997.
2GB 873’s Continuous Call Team will have full game coverage from the undisputed number one team in town including Ray Hadley, Darryl ‘Big Marn’ Brohman and Mark Riddell.
Triple M Sydney will be broadcasting live from the front of ANZ Stadium from 12pm EDT. Join Ryan Girdler, Gorden Tallis, Paul Kent, Wendell Sailor, Bill Harrigan, Ben Dobbin, Brent Read from The Australia, Maroon and Dan Ginnane as they preview the clash and take you through siren-to-siren from 7:15pm EDT.
702 ABC Sydney will take ABC Grandstand coverage.
On the field and in the commentary box, may the best team win. My tips – the AFL cup will head to Sydney and the NRL trophy might be heading the other way to Melbourne.