The 2016 AFL Grand Final day is on this Saturday. Unlike the NRL it is still in its traditional timeslot that everyone loves.
They haven’t bent to pressure from TV yet, and much respect to them. Why not give the fans what they want rather the TV stations.
Instead of a moving target that changes its mind or generously allows a 5pm kickoff, the 2016 AFL Grand Final Day is a sporting event you can set your clock to. Much like Jonny Unitas.
If like a lot of people whose sides did not make it this far, or you are from north of Sydney and are preparing for your first full game of AFL this year, it is hard to choose who you should put your temporary support behind.
Who do you support? Why should you care? How can we make it a better experience? Isn’t this starting to sound a lot like our NRL Grand Final day Neutrals Guide?
Well, as ever The Gurgler is here to answer the question very few are asking with our 2016 AFL Grand Final Day Guide for Neutrals.
MUST INCLUDE – HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016 AFL GRAND FINAL DAY
13CABS GRAND FINAL SPRINT
Always a fan favourite and a great half time distraction to see who the fastest player in the AFL is. It is usually a chance for a club who have won stuff all for ages to celebrate something on Grand Final day.
ROY AND HG RETURN
After proving they still have plenty to offer sports fans, the dynamic duo of Roy and HG are back to do what they do best. Make a game you really don’t care about twice the entertainment value and more. Some speedy and careful work on the pause button on both the laptop and Foxtel remote will have you synched up for the goodness. It may take a bit of back and forward between the two but the reward is well worth it.
Here is a fine article from our friends at The Roar explaining more and how to find them.
DENIS COMETTI
Perhaps tune in for the last 10 minutes after Roy and HG for the great caller’s last game behind the mic. Bowing out on top and with dignity unlike the NRL equivalent who has gone on a decade too long.
ENTERTAINMENT including a new game called STING-O
With a line up that embarrasses the NRL, as per usual, and doesn’t include Alex Lloyd, the AFL have done well yet again.
The biggest name of these is International superstar and part time actor Sting. Whilst most will be calling for his old stuff, only to be disappointed by “something off the new album”, we have a simple game to enhance his appearance.
It’s called Sting-O, and is similar Bingo but better. Before he starts select three songs you think will be played, and corss them off as the music plays. First to cross off all three wins. For anything off the new new album simply put down anything off the new album and you are covered.
BETTING
With so many options how can you lose. See our thoughts on this below.
PREFER OTHERS – THINGS TO AVOID ON 2016 AFL GRAND FINAL DAY
CHANNEL 7 ADS
Having almost ruined the Olympics coverage with their barrage of promos for their new shows, get ready to hit mute when the ads arrive. Either that or you’ll feel like hitting Zumbo by the end of the coverage.
CHANNEL 7 PRE GAME AND BREAK ANALYSIS
Keep it on Roy and HG, rather than the all too serious analysis. In saying that it is better than the ordinary analysis that will be on offer the following night.
MEH – SO WHO SHOULD A NON GAMBLING NEUTRAL SUPPORT?
REASONS TO SUPPORT SYDNEY
- You are from Sydney and are one of those Premium Sports fans that Sydney are famed for. That is the type of person who will show up to Bledisloe or Socceroo qualifiers but not an NRL or AFLK regular season game. More than likely found with a Swans scarf at a local pub.
- You are a South Melbourne fan from back in the day
- You are a fan of the No Dickheads policy at Sydney
REASONS TO SUPPORT THE BULLDOGS
- They are the ultimate underdogs.
- Great to see a team from outside the Top 4 win either comp.
- You are from anywhere other than Eastern and Northern Sydney.
- They are a real blue collar club. One for the regular person.
- Are a traditional old VFL club.\
- They haven’t won a flag for decades.
- You have a mate who supports them, and there’s no good reason not to support them.
REASONS NOT TO SUPPORT SYDNEY
- You don’t believe in their extra living allowance which allows them to sign big name players.
- Buddy Franklin
- You are Kieran Jack’s parents.
- F*** Sydney
REASONS NOT TO SUPPORT BULLDOGS
- You are from Sydney and earn over $100K
It’s a pretty convincing win to the Bulldogs. So if you didn’t care before who you should support on 2016 AFL Grand Final day – you should now. And for the Bulldogs.
WHEN DOES STUFF ACTUALLY HAPPEN?
8am Melbourne Cricket Club gates open
9.30am General public gates open
10am NAB All Stars under-17 game
1.29pm Welcome to Country by Uncle Bill Nicholson
1.30pm Retiring greats and award winners’ motorcade
1.33pm Mike Brady performs One Day in October
1.37pm Vance Joy performs
1.45pm The Living End performs
1.53pm Sting performs
2.04pm Virgin Australia Flyover
2.12pm Umpires enter arena
2.14-2.17pm Teams enter
2.25pm Premiership cup delivered
2.26pm National anthem performed by Vika and Linda Bull
2.30pm Match starts
3.45pm NAB AFL Auskick and final of 13CABS Grand Final sprint
5.15pm Final siren, followed by the presentation of the Norm Smith Medal (by Shannon Grant), the Jock McHale Medal (by Leigh Matthews), premiership medallions (by NAB AFL Auskick participants) and the premiership cup (to be presented by a club legend)
6.15pm Virgin Australia premiership party
6.20pm Vance Joy performs
6.55pm The Living End performs
7.30pm Presentation of the premiership team with the AFL premiership cup
BET EARLY, BET OFTEN – BETTING ON THE 2016 NRL GRAND FINAL DAY
With over 200 betting options, how can you lose? Easily if you have dollar on each. We provide a brief overview of the best on offer.
BASIC BETS
HEAD TO HEAD
SYDNEY $1.60 BULLDOGS $2.40
LINE
SYDNEY (-10.5) BULLDOGS (+10.5) $1.92
MARGINS
SYDNEY (1-39) $2.10 (40+) $4.33
BULLDOGS (1-39) $3.00 (40+) $11.00
TIME OF FIRST GOAL
0-1 mins $4.50
1-2 mins $3.40
2-3 mins $5.00
3-4 mins $7.00
4-5 mins $10.00
5+ mins $4.50
WE SELECT: 0-1 mins
WINNER OF COIN TOSS
Sydney or Bulldogs @ $1.88
OTHER EXCELLENT BETTING TYPES
Why not try something different to compliment your 2016 AFL Grand Final day.
30 DISPOSALS / 3 GOALS MULTI
TOTAL BEHINDS – each Quarter
1st to 20points in each Quarter
LAST GOAL SCORER
