Pups in colours to steal the show on Grand Final Friday

June Fraser and Woofers and Walkers Responsible Dog Owners Group secretary Julie Elterman with well-dressed Sadie. Photo: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

GRAND Final fever will hit Portarlington next week, with the return of spring calendar favourite, the annual AFL Dog Fashion Parade.

On Friday (September 26), the Bellarine’s cutest pups dressed in their favourite footy colours will converge on Newcombe Street, turning the sidewalk into a catwalk to celebrate the end of the 2025 football season.

Now in its ninth year, the popular event is hosted by the Woofers and Walkers Responsible Dog Owners Group and has been running since the Grand Final Friday public holiday was first added to the calendar.

Prizes donated by the businesses along Newcombe Street will again be up for grabs, with awards on offer for the Best in Parade, Best Dog Sit, Best Young Talent, Stylish Senior and more.

Veteran judges Jayne Sedgmen and Steve Cogger have signed on to make the tough calls, and event organiser Julie Elterman said they are already feeling the pressure.

“We encourage families to come along and very much want to acknowledge the businesses — there’s always lovely prizes up for grabs that the businesses in Newcombe Street kindly donate,” Ms Elterman said.

Donations to support food relief service Food Assist 3223 will be collected throughout the day, with the proceeds to be used to help purchase pet food for those in need.

Ms Elterman encouraged the community to come along and enjoy the day.

“It’s become a popular event for footy fans and dog lovers to come along in their favourite team’s colours and celebrate the end of the 2025 season,” she said.

“The Portarlington Rotunda will be decorated in the Grand Final teams’ colours, with a medley of all the teams theme songs playing.

“It’s also the last hurrah for all the footy fans. Whether their team’s in or out, it doesn’t matter, they can wear their colours with pride with their favourite friends — their dogs.”

The parade will begin at 11am, with participants encouraged to register from 10.30am at the Portarlington Community Information Booth in the Newcombe Street Rotunda Forecourt.