AFL grand final 2023 LIVE updates: Collingwood Magpies, Brisbane ...

It’s a big day for footy fans, but especially those in Melbourne and Brisbane.

We would love to share your experience of the grand final so use the form below to tell us where you are, who you’re with and what you’re doing (you can send a picture too).

Can’t wait to see how you’re celebrating.

Nick Dal Santo, Emma Kearney and Dermott Brereton have unanimously tipped Collingwood to take home the flag at the grand final breakfast.

Dal Santo, a former St Kilda and North Melbourne player, believes Collingwood will be the 2023 grand final winner by less than a goal.

“I think all being equal Brisbane Lions should win, but Collingwood will,” he said.

And for the Norm Smith medal: “I’m going to say Jordan De Goey gets it done.”

Fans are showing up to support the Pies at the MCG this morning. Credit: Eddie Jim

Collingwood are hoping to win their first flag since 2010, and a record-equalling 16th premiership overall, matching Carlton and Essendon.

Brisbane Lions are chasing their first grand final win since 2003, after a string of three premierships in a row.

North Melbourne AFLW captain Kearney tipped Collingwood to win by 11 points.

“I think Brisbane’s probably been the more in-form team ... but I do trust Collingwood,” Kearney said.

Former Hawthorn player Dermott Brereton said Collingwood will get up in front of the home crowd.

“Brisbane are the in-form team of the finals, but in Brisbane. This is at the MCG. It will be closely fought. The margin will be comfortable to Collingwood at the final siren,” he said.

The grand final breakfast ended with a performance from Daryl Braithwaite who has given us the absolute classic and crowd-pleasing The Horses.

Collingwood livewire Jack Ginnivan made a surprise appearance at Moonee Valley’s Moir Stakes race meeting on Friday night.

A well-placed source from the Ginnivan camp said the 20-year-old was there to support a friend who had a racehorse running.

Ginnivan was spotted at Moonee Valley’s Moir Stakes race meeting last night. Credit: Getty Images

The young gun was there for a brief time, sitting in a private suite, and leaving immediately after the race was done.

A crowd of 7000 was on hand at Moonee Valley for the evening’s races.

Collingwood’s players were free to spend grand final eve as they wished.

Ginnivan will start in the Magpies’ 22 after beginning the qualifying and preliminary finals as the substitute.

The AFL grand final is forecast to the among the top five warmest in league history according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Senior meteorologist Angus Hines said the forecast was for warm and sunny conditions.

Josh and Nick Daicos soak up the atmosphere.Credit: Eddie Jim

“We’re expecting clear skies ... with a maximum temperature into the high 20s for the opening bounce,” he said.  

“We could see a few patches of cloud throughout the afternoon, but conditions are expected to be mostly bright and sunny.

“The clear conditions are due to a high-pressure system across Victoria this week, with winds turning north to north-westerly on Saturday and bringing the warmer weather.”

The BOM also sent out some interesting data on past grand finals:

Under the current forecast, this would be just the fifth AFL Grand Final played in Melbourne on a day reaching 26C or warmer:

Conditions are expected to be considerably warmer than the last time Brisbane and Collingwood met in back-to-back grand finals in 2002 and 2003:

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has not held back in his right to reply at the grand final breakfast at the Exhibition Centre, responding to the prime minister’s roast with a round of his own.

Dutton thanked North Melbourne for putting on the breakfast in what he said had been a tough year for the Kangaroos.

“There’s no doubt though that they’re on the up. There’s also no pressure, of course because after you’ve received an AFL assistance package that makes Albo and Alan Joyce’s deal with Qantas over Qatar look like a rounding error - we’ll want to see some finals action by the Kangaroos next year.”

Dutton said he too wanted to join in on the pile-on of departing AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.

Gill is still here. I feel like we had the same conversation last year. This farewell has gone on and on and on - the world’s longest victory lap.

But you deserve the recognition and the adulation because what you’ve done for the game is quite remarkable.

Gill’s example is one that you can look at, but I much prefer the Buddy Franklin model of retirement; going out on top without uttering a public word to a journalist.

Prime minister there’s probably a message in there for you.”

Fans are already getting ready for the big day, with huge crowds already at the MCG ahead of the match.

Take a look:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used his time on the podium at the grand final breakfast to roast the opposition leader and departing AFL boss Gill McLachlan.

Albanese told the crowd Dutton once said the streets of Melbourne were so dangerous people were afraid to go out to dinner.

“Well, if the Pies win today you might finally be right about that,” Albanese said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton showing his support for the Brisbane Lions.Credit: Simon Schluter

The prime minister told the Exhibition Centre crowd he was delighted to be at the 57th North Melbourne Grand Final breakfast, and McLachlan’s 93rd official fare well.

“Congratulations, Gil on a fantastic stint in charge of this great competition, you’ve given so much to the game that so many Australians love, you well and truly earned the break,” he said.

On a role, Albanese rolled with the punches.

“A big shout-out to all the Brisbane Lions fans in the house, especially those who’ve made the trip down there - there are a few of you,” he said,

“You’ve had to overcome Port, Carlton, Qantas and Ticketek.”

It’s a big day for footy fans, but especially those in Melbourne and Brisbane.

We would love to share your experience of the grand final so use the form below to tell us where you are, who you’re with and what you’re doing (you can send a picture too).

Can’t wait to see how you’re celebrating.