AFL grand final LIVE: All the latest updates and scores as Collingwood take on the Brisbane Lions

The first bounce has to be re-done and the big news is it looks like Brayden Maynard could be taggin Charlie Cameron.

The former Footy Show host kicked off a storm when he called on spectators at the G to boo the ceremony. Instead, they held a respectful silence while Uncle Colin Hunter Jr (pictured below) performed the pre-match fixture.

The men in fluoro yellow are on the field, the teams are making their way to the race to get onto the G… we are just moments away.

The Lions are all touching a pair of boxing gloves as they exit their dressing rooms – talk about sending a message about the style of footy they intend to play.

One footy fan spoke for many when they posted ‘Kiss absolutely NAILED that performance!! The Meatloaf curse has been well and truly broken’ – but others said Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons were lip-synching, even though it didn’t look that way to us. There was also plenty of praise for the little KISS army made up of dancing kids.

Other viewers pointed out that Seven cut away from the show too early and missed the rockers smashing their guitars at the climax of their set…

No, not ‘why couldn’t they get anybody younger’ – it’s how on earth do they keep all that makeup from running down their faces in this 29-degree heat?

Paul, Gene and co might be getting on but they’ve done bloody well to turn in a very energetic set despite wearing what looks like about 20kg of leather and metal each.

The announcer yelled, ‘The hottest band in the world!’ as the American music greats got proceedings underway. Might’ve held true about 40 years ago, but today? You’ve got to be kidding. That’s like saying Leigh Matthews should’ve won the Brownlow on Monday night.

The pre-match entertainment started with Australia’s leading didgeridoo player William Barton along with Melbourne-based Indigenous singer-songwriter Jess Hitchcock (pictured below), who performed a rendition of Waltzing Matilda.
While the crowd at the MCG delivered warm applause for their performance, several fans took to social media to vent their disapproval because Hitchcock was wearing a ‘Vote Yes’ shirt in support of the Voice to Parliament referendum.
‘Why do you need to make the AFL Political! Get the vote yes shirt off. This is a sport, not a Parliament House! AFL needs to stop being so woke,’ one fan posted.
‘Awful rendition of a classic,’ added another.
‘Why has the AFL allowed politics into the ceremony by having Yes logos on singers. If you allow yes then you need to allow #VoteNo as well,’ posted another.

After winning the flag with the Dogs in 2016 and suffering a shattering defeat to Melbourne in 2021, Dunkley has told Channel Seven why this decider stands out.

‘Those last two times I’ve been involved we’ve sort of been thereabouts, but coming into this game I feel like it’s a different feel. We’ve been playing some really good footy towards the end of the season and learnt a lot throughout the year, so I think we’re holding ourselves in good stead today and going to give it a real hot shake.’

The Pies star raised more than a few eyebrows by heading to the races at Moonee Valley on Friday night instead of hanging out with his teammates.

He reportedly attended so he could see a mate’s horse have its run – but fans have arced up about it to the point that Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly felt the need to calm the farm.

‘Let’s all just chill,’ he told the ABC.

‘He’s not running around the track. He went to watch a horse and went home.’

It’s still an unusual move for a player who was just hours away from playing in the biggest game of his life, as teams usually stick together and have a quiet night on the eve of the grandy.

The Collingwood coach was asked if he’ll get one of his stars to tag Neale, who excels in the clearances and looms as one of Brisbane’s biggest keys to winning the grandy.

‘I’m not sure about that, mate,’ McRae said on Seven’s coverage.

‘You need to have a watch on him. We have some quality players ourselves who we think can have a good influence on the game. Both times we played these guys this year Lachie had an influence when the game started. We’re aware he’s a great player. He’s not the only player.’

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There was a lot of talk about naming the premiership cup or premiership medals after the Demons and Carlton great after his death on September 16 – but the AFL has now confirmed they won’t decide on how best to play tribute to him once the decider is done and dusted.

Max Holmes of Geelong was the clear winner in the sprint after Cats assistant coach Daisy Pearce branded him the fastest player at the club.

Melbourne Cricket Club members have been left furious after they were able to snap up seats that were released for sale to the public at 11am – only to find they couldn’t actually buy them online.

The Brisbane coach has told Channel Seven he didn’t want to overload his team with too many instructions and too much information in the lead-up to the match, given how many outside distractions grand final teams face.

He also addressed the hoodoo that has many fans convinced his side can’t win the flag today.

‘In terms of our record at the MCG, I can’t argue with it, it’s not very good,’ Fagan admitted. ‘But on grand final day I don’t think it matters where you play.’

It’s tradition for the PM and opposition leader to attend the function on the morning of the decider – and Albanese, a Hawks fan, wouldn’t have done Labor’s polling numbers in Collingwood any favours with a cheeky dig at the Magpies faithful.

Hawks legend Luke Hodge has revealed that a footy fan called the Lions’ hotel overnight, told reception there was an illness in the Brisbane co-captain’s family and he wasn’t answering his phone – and got put through to Andrews’ room.

When he picked up, the fan told him, ‘You won’t be taking any intercept marks today!’

Andrews is one of the best key defenders in the game and is the Lions’ intercept king – so it’s likely that fan will be proved wrong.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s happening at the G today…

12.15pm: Grand final sprint heats

12.38pm: Grand final sprint final

1.31pm: Grand final motorcade

1.36pm: Performance by musician Mike Brady

1.42pm: KISS lead the pre-game entertainment

2.11pm: Umpires enter (boo!) and game ball is delivered

2.13pm: Teams run onto the ground

2.24pm: Josh Kennedy delivers the premiership cup

2.25pm: MC Hamish McLachlan’s introduction

2.25pm: Welcome to Country by Uncle Colin Hunter Jr

2.26pm: Advance Australia Fair performed by Kate Miller-Heidtke

2.30pm: Siren sounds and the game begins

The biggest day of the footy year is finally here and Daily Mail Australia has you covered with all the latest updates, scores and photos as the Collingwood Magpies take on the Brisbane Lions at the MCG.