Ready to go: Riverine Herald editor Gregor Mactaggart (left) and Echuca’s Rose Berryman don their club colours as Brisbane and Collingwood prepare to face off for the AFL premiership on Saturday. Photo: Josh Huntly
Photo by
Josh Huntly
Echuca Moama will be swept up in AFL Grand Final weekend celebrations as fans flock to local venues to catch a glimpse of Saturday’s blockbuster finale between Collingwood and Brisbane.
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Grand Final fever has swept up the twin towns as the Pies and Lions prepare to do battle in the decider for the first time since 2003, Craig McRae’s men hunting their first flag since 2010, and Chris Fagan’s Lions pride hoping to bring a 20-year drought to an end.
Both teams’ colours have flown with pride throughout the region. Still, one supporter who won’t be around for the local festivities is Collingwood supporter Rose Berryman.
The excited 20-year-old is one of the lucky few headed for the MCG on Saturday with her mother for the big game. After attending the losing 2018 decider against West Coast, she hopes her team can make amends.
And hopefully, Collingwood’s bid for premiership #16 will be led by her favourite player Oleg Markov.
In the Brisbane camp, Riverine Herald editor Gregor Mactaggart, proudly showing off a T-shirt former Fitzroy player and Newborough product Darren ‘Doc’ Wheildon, hopes his Lions can rediscover the magic of their historic early-century three-peat and secure their fourth flag.
Lions in for a ruff time: Die-hard Collingwood supporter Riley Armstrong and golden retriever Diego believe the Pies can get the job done in Saturday’s Grand Final. Photo: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Meanwhile, with decorations in short supply around town, 19-year-old Riley Armstrong resorted to spray-painting six wooden boards in the famed black-and-white.
At the same time, his four-year-old golden retriever Diego has happily showed off his favourite Collingwood scarf, as he often does.
“I’m very nervous,” Mr Armstrong said.
“I love it — September’s an amazing time of year.
“I’m confident we can win, but it will just be an awesome day. I’m looking forward to it.”
The first bounce of the AFL Grand Final between Collingwood and Brisbane will take place at 2.30pm on Saturday.
