The 2019 AFL Grand Final between the Richmond Tigers and Greater Western Sydney Giants has begun in front of of thousands of footy fans at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
GWS Giants, known as the underdogs of the match, ran through a ‘started from the bottom now we’re here’ banner to the sounds of booing from the crowd.
The Sydney team could win their first premiership cup if they defeat the Tigers, who are vying for their 12th flag.
Tigers star Dustin Martin was sent to the ground during the first five minutes of the action after appearing to cop a blow to his head and eye.
Richmond took an early 3-0 lead with a series of behinds, as they successfully applied pressure on the Giants. The Sydney team soon retaliated by scoring two behinds.
Richmond Tigers show their support for the squad before the game started on Saturday afternoon. The stadium was a sea of yellow
Richmond Tigers run through the banner ahead of the season decider on Saturday afternoon
GWS Giants, known as the underdogs of the match, ran through a ‘started from the bottom now we’re here’ banner to the sounds of booing from the crowd
The grand final competitors line up on the pitch minutes before the action started on Saturday
Paul Kelly rocked the stadium during the pre-match entertainment, before Conrad Sewell sung the national anthem.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was seen enjoying a beer from the crowds on Saturday, after returning from duty in the United States.
AFL stars retiring this year were driven around the pitch as part of the motorcade from about 1.30pm.
Tigers head coach Damien Hardwick hugs Dustin Martin (centre) as the team seeks their 12th final victory
Richmond star Dustin Martin is smothered by GWS Giants players in the first quarter
With less than two hours to go before the match, ground staff were seen desperately attempting to clean the field with brooms and leaf blowers.
The last-minute pitch problem was caused by an under-17s curtain-raiser, as players ran across white painted lines that hadn’t dried forcing officials to scramble to fix it.
White boot marks were seen scattered around the centre circle lines as crew members worked to dry the paint and clean the mess.
Paul Kelly rocks the stadium as part of the pre-match entertainment before the game started on Saturday
Retired Swans stars Jarrad McVeigh and Kieran Jack took part in the motorcade before the match
Thousands of footy fans have arrived in drones for the 2019 AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Richmond Tigers will go head-to-head with the Greater Western Sydney Giants when the ball drops at 2.30pm
One Richmond fan went all out for the season decider, using face paint to dress up as a Tiger
A GWS Giants with orange hair and glittery face paint poses for the camera on Saturday
Richmond fans were seen arriving at the MCG in bright yellow costumes, wigs and tiger paint across their faces.
Giants fans who travelled from Sydney for the big day donned orange team scarfs and held signs like ‘fight until the end’ in preparation for the season decider.
If Richmond Football Club win Saturday’s final they will be crowned premiers for the 12th time in the club’s history.
The Tigers last won the cup in 2017 against Adelaide Football Club, where they beat the Giants in the preliminary final.
With less than two hours before the match, ground staff were seen desperately attempting to clean the field
White boot marks were seen scattered around the centre circle lines as crew members worked to dry the paint and clean the mess
Greater Western Sydney Giants fans pack together as they arrive at the MCG
There is arguably more on the line for grand final rivals and underdogs GWS, who first entered the AFL in 2012.
In their debut season, GWS won only two matches and lost by more than 100 points five times. They were wooden spoons for their first two years in the competition.
A win on Saturday – their first grand final appearance – would mark the club’s first season victory.
One fan painted ‘Tigers’ on her leg, to show her support through the slip of her skirt
Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc shows support for his home city by wearing a GWS scarf. The bowler posed with a fan from the opposition
Australian bowler Pat Cummins posed with a Tigers fan before joining the Motorcade at the MCG
A fan of ‘underdogs’ GWS smiles as she holds a sign reading ‘fight until the end’
Marlion Pickett – who will debut for the Tigers during the final – poses with his family before the match