If Cats win, no parade, but other celebrations to go ahead

A REPEAT of the celebratory AFL Grand Final parade of 2022 in Geelong will be off the cards for this year should the Cats defeat Brisbane, with the City of Greater Geelong stating a live site and supporters’ day would take place instead.

In a statement earlier today (Thursday, September 25), Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the city and the Geelong Football Club had previously discussed options for community celebrations should the Cats make the Grand Final.

“The city, with the support of the club, moved forward with plans for a live site, turning the city blue and white through lighting, banners, billboards, projections on City Hall and memorabilia displays, and is supporting the delivery of a Supporters Day.

“The Supporters Day will take place at Anthony Costa Oval (St Mary’s Oval) at 10am on Sunday, September 28, regardless of the result of Saturday’s AFL Grand Final.”

The statement did not specifically address the reasons why the parade element of the celebrations has been dropped.

The city enthusiastically supported a parade on the Tuesday following the Cats’ 2022 win over Sydney, setting up barricades along part of Eastern Beach Road, Brougham Street and Moorabool Street, and temporarily renaming the Waterfront end of Moorabool Street to Premiership Way.

The event drew thousands of cheering blue-and-white-clad Cats fans into central Geelong.for the hour-long parade, which ended with a civic presentation at Steampacket Gardens.

At the live site at Eastern Beach Reserve this Saturday, traffic management will be in place on Ritchie Boulevard to maintain emergency access and stop entry when parking bays are full.

The live site is an alcohol-free event. Picnic rugs, chairs and umbrellas are welcome, but gazebos and other shade structures are not allowed.

In the event the Cats win the Grand Final, the city has worked with Victoria Police to close several key streets in central Geelong to ensure revellers can enjoy the atmosphere safely and responsibly.

The streets that will be closed after the game are:

• Moorabool Street between Ryrie Street and Brougham Street
• Little Ryrie Street to Ryrie Street closed to northbound traffic
• Yarra Street between Ryrie Street and Brougham Street
• Malop Street between Yarra Street and Gheringhap Street
• Little Malop Street from Yarra Street to Gheringhap Street
• Union Street from Little Malop to Ryrie Street
• Corio Street from Moorabool Street to Clare Street, and
• Clare Street from Corio Street to Malop Street.

The taxi rank will be relocated from Moorabool Street to Gheringhap Street between Little Malop Street and Malop Street, in front of Civic Centre Carpark.

The bus interchange will be relocated from Moorabool Street to Geelong Railway Station. Further information about buses is available via the PTV website.

Motorists who park in the Market Square carpark can exit via Yarra Street under the guidance of traffic control, while those who have parked in Westfield can exit via Yarra Street (left turn only) and Brougham Street.

“As an experienced events host, we’re excited to welcome thousands of footy fans into central Geelong for our Eastern Beach live site and other Grand Final parties being held on Saturday,” the city’s executive director of placemaking Tennille Bradley said.

“The fastest way to get into central Geelong will be via public transport, as the roads will be particularly busy, and it’s also the best way to soak in the atmosphere of the day. Fortunately, PTV is putting on extra VLine and bus services and the train station and Moorabool Street interchange are just a short walk to the Waterfront.

“If you need to drive, we recommend carpooling and remind drivers that while parking remains free on weekends, time limits do apply. We encourage drivers to park in all-day spaces on Brougham Street, Bellarine Street, Ritchie Boulevard, Eastern Beach Road, Hearn Parade Carpark and Eastern Garden precinct, or use the thousands of off-street and on-street parks across central Geelong, such as Busport and Civic Centre. Please note, exiting some of these locations may be delayed due to road closures if the Cats win.

“We ask that community members be respectful of Victoria Police, traffic management and parking officers and follow their directions, as they try to ensure everyone has a safe time.”