Grand Final Parade

Friday, 26 September 2014

 

Police horses getting into the spirit

A few of the police in attendance

Pipe band

Carlton horses

What it's all about

 

Some of the AFL teams' flags

Farewell, Jonathon Brown

Hawthorn band

J. Roughead (token Hawthorn photo)

Swans band

Buddy and Daniel Hannabery

Adam Goods, Lewis Jetta and children (including a very relaxed daughter)

Former Swan - Big Bad Barry

 

Royal Arcade

Despite showers being forecast, the day was fine, sunny and warm.  Just perfect for the Grand Final Parade.

We headed into the city this morning, making sure we had plenty of time to get a good position to watch the parade, but were still too late to be able to stand against the barriers, however, we were able to stand immediately behind the early comers and had a good view of proceedings.

The security was absolutely incredible; probably a dozen or more police walking in a group both before and after the parade, at least two officers beside every vehicle, bike police patrolling constantly, the police helicopter hovering overhead and that’s not including the professional security personnel.  There is a fair amount of tension in Melbourne at the moment and a gas leak and evacuation at Chadstone Shopping Centre this morning very quickly became a bomb threat.

Following the parade, we spent an hour or so wandering the new shopping precincts and Myer redevelopment, before returning to the car and a very stop/start drive home.  We were quite relieved that it was only mid-afternoon and not peak hour!

May the sun shine on the Swans tomorrow and they finish with the higher score.