Thousands of West Coast Eagles fans who baulked at inflated airfares to the AFL Grand Final are driving across Australia to cheer on their team.
Families, groups of friends, and even complete strangers loaded into cars, vans, and charter buses for the 3,400km trek from Perth to Melbourne this week.
Most began the 36-hour drive on Wednesday or Thursday, crossing the desolate Nullabor Plain where water is scarce and kangaroos a constant hazard.
Thousands of West Coast Eagles fans who balked at inflated airfares to the AFL Grand Final are driving across Australia to cheer on their team
Jordan Pritchard and Corey Dullard covered the first 2,000km in just two days, stopping at the famous Nullarbor Roadhouse in South Australia
The diehard fans chose road over air because flight costs shot up as early as the second quarter of West Coast’s 66-point win over Melbourne last Saturday.
Airfares were at least $859 one-way on Virgin Australia on Thursday or Friday between the two cities – with other airlines charging close to $1,000.
This would add up to the cost of petrol and accommodation for the return trip, but split between a car load would be much cheaper and make lasting memories.
Some even enlisted the company of strangers to cut down on costs, posting ads on Gumtree and elsewhere.
‘Collingwood supporters ok if you wear Eagles jumper in the vehicle,’ one magnanimous fan wrote in their ad.
Jordan Pritchard and Corey Dullard covered the first 2,000km in just two days, stopping at the famous Nullarbor Roadhouse in South Australia.
This group bought a ticket to a charter bus driving from Esperance in southern WA to Melbourne for the Grand Final
Don and Glenda Anderson bought a 1982 Coromal caravan and loaded their two children (pictured) into the back of their 4WD, dressed in Eagles gear
‘We did look at the flight prices but we thought why not drive and make it a real fairytale if we win?’ Mr Dullard told the West Australian.
Longtime Eagles members Peter Rosman and his daughter Dani made the trip for their fifth and sixth Grand Finals respectively.
‘I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. You never know how long it’s going to be before you get back here,’ Ms Rosman told PerthNow.
Don and Glenda Anderson said accommodation was hard to come by when the Eagles last made the Grand Final in 2015.
So this time they bought a 1982 Coromal caravan and loaded their two children into the back of their 4WD, dressed in Eagles gear.
The most devoted fan of all might be Pam Hynson, who started driving to Melbourne on September 19 – three days before her team even made the final
Families, groups of friends, and even complete strangers loaded into cars, vans, and charter buses for the 3,400km trek from Perth to Melbourne this week
Most began the 36-hour drive on Wednesday or Thursday, crossing the desolate Nullabor plain where water is scarce and kangaroos a constant hazard. This map shows the progress of one driver by Thursday – 27 hours into his journey
‘It’s older than the Eagles themselves and doesn’t have frills. Just the stove, cold fridge, some Crownies and a bed,’ Mr Anderson told 9 News.
The most devoted fan of all might be Pam Hynson, who started driving to Melbourne on September 19 – three days before her team even made the final.
‘I always put faith in the boys. I never have any doubts about our boys. Grand final, here we come,’ she told Seven News.
West Coast are a $2.25 underdog to the Collingwood Magpies, who convincingly dispatched hot favourites Richmond last Friday night.
The match starts about 2.30pm on Saturday with driving fans using multiple drivers and few breaks to make it to the MCG in time.