AFL grand final music move sparks fan backlash at the MCG

Footy fans expressed fury Friday after confirmation that music will be played across the Melbourne Cricket Ground when players boot goals in the AFL Grand Final. Channel 7 AFL reporter Mitch Cleary tweeted the development, prompting immediate backlash on X. Posts from supporters ranged from sarcastic to heated, with some arguing that the crowd should set the tone rather than the music.

Triple M announced the development on Friday night, and AFL officials later confirmed the plan. Reactions on X were swift and pointed. Some posts referenced Andrew 'Mickey Mouse' Dillon, calling the move 'one of the most grating parts of the game' or asking for its reversal: 'Another great decision by Andrew 'Mickey Mouse' Dillon. Get him out.' Others asked, 'What are we doing? A crowd of 100,000 people but we want music to create an atmosphere?'. North Melbourne great Corey McKernan simply asked, 'why,' in response. More than 100,000 fans are expected to fill the MCG for the decider, with Geelong slight favourites to win their first flag since 2022.

The Daily Mail can reveal the tunes players are reportedly set to hear after goals. Charlie Cameron of Brisbane is said to favour John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads; teammate Zac Bailey reportedly chooses Hey Baby by DJ Otzi. Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron is described as loving Kenny Rogers' The Gambler, with captain Patrick Dangerfield opting for John Farnham's You're the Voice. Cats rising star Bailey Smith has chosen Everybody Loves the Sunshine by Roy Ayers, according to the report.

Geelong and Brisbane are both chasing their fifth premiership since 2000; the Lions are aiming to defend their title, while Geelong looks to add to its four flags since the turn of the century. The two clubs have never met in a season decider before this matchup, adding another layer to what is already a highly anticipated AFL Grand Final.

Reaction from fans and pundits has been largely critical. Some argued the move risks eroding the immediacy and atmosphere created by the crowd in a grand final moment. Others suggested the post-goal moment should rely on the crowd's energy rather than a curated playlist. One commenter described the plan as a further erosion of the game's pureness, while another labeled it 'the dumbest thing ever. Let the crowd set the tone, not the players' favorite songs.'