Melbourne Demons have drawn first blood against the Western Bulldogs in the AFL grand final on a historic night for the code with four of the first five goals.
The AFL grand final is being held in Perth for the first time in front of a sell-out crowd of 60,000 fans at Optus Stadium due to the latest Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne on a day Victoria recorded 847 new cases, its highest spike in daily infections.
The Demons were first on the scoreboard with two behinds before Christian Petracca extended their lead to boot the first goal of the match.
Teammate Bayley Fritsch extended the deficit with a second goal minutes later for the Demons before the Bulldogs finally got on the board with their first six-pointer.
The Demons kicked two more goals to enjoy a 4-5 (29) to 1.2 (8) quarter time lead.
Christian Petracca celebrates with Melbourne Demons teammates after booting the first goal of the grand final
The Melbourne Demons booted four of the five first goals of the AFL grand final. Pictured is Bayley Fritsch celebrating after kicking the second goal
Roarke Smith was the first goal-scorer for the Western Bulldogs in their grand final showdown against the Demons
The Western Australian capital has been blanketed in a sea of blue, red and white ahead of the grand final showdown between minor premiers Melbourne Demons and Western Bulldogs, who go into the clash as underdogs.
Thousands of footy die-hards have arrived at Optus Stadium, including Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan, who arrived via train proudly donning a Demons scarf as he posed for photos with fans.
Footage of McGowan showing his allegiances to the Demons surprised Channel 7 commentators.
‘He’s made a statement there, I did not expect that,’ James Brayshaw said.
Abbey Holmes added: ‘That’s controversial.’
A sell-out crowd of 60,000 enjoyed a pre-match entertainment line-up of Australian chart-topping anthems ahead of the first bounce.
‘Everyone is excited, no doubt about that. I’ve never seen a crowd like this,’ Channel Seven commentator Brian Taylor told viewers.
‘Absolutely superb. They are enjoying every moment of this.’
There was pre-match drama for the Bulldogs prior to the match with young gun not on the team bus after he forgot his official accreditation lanyard and arrived at the ground separately via car.
These Melbourne Demons fans were among the lucky 60,000 footy fans able to snare grand final tickets
Western Bulldogs young gun Bailey Smith arrived at Optus Stadium separately after forgetting his official accreditation lanyard
Sporting a Demons scarf, Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan posed with fans on the train en route to the stadium
Demons skipper Max Gawn (right) hopes to lead his club to their first premiership flag in 57 years
Viewer reaction was divided over Amy Manford’s rendition of the Australian national anthem prior to first bounce
60,000 AFL supporters in Perth are making their way to Optus Stadium (pictured a Melbourne Demons supporter)
Western Bulldogs fans arrive at Optus Stadium, hoping their club can win their second premiership in five years
Marcus Bontempelli leads the Western Bulldogs onto Perth’s Optus Stadium for the 2021 AFL grand final
Meanwhile, eagled-eyed viewers have mercifully mocked broadcaster Channel Seven over a cross-code mix-up.
Channel Seven accidentally called the Demons Melbourne Storm, the city’s club in the rival NRL code in emails promoting the game.
Defending NRL premiers Storm were also in action on Saturday night in their preliminary final against Penrith Panthers before going down 10-6.
‘Oops. Hey does Melbourne Storm know they’re in the AFL grand final? I know you guys are *good*,’ one fan tweeted.
Another fan quipped ‘I thought it was going to be a tight #AFLGF but I think the Bulldogs’ AFL experience will be too much for the Storm to overcome.
AFL fans have also gathered in Melbourne to watch the big game, despite warnings from health officials to stay home after Victoria recorded 847, its highest ever daily infection spike during the pandemic.
Melbourne Demons fans made plenty of noise amongst the sea of red and blue at Optus Stadium
Optus Stadium was already packed with Bulldogs and Demons fans more than one hour to the first bounce
There was no doubt which team these dogs were barking for in Saturday night’s AFL grand final
Channel Seven has been mercifully mocked over this embarrassing blunder calling the Demons Melbourne Storm
It’s the second time in history the AFL grand final has been played outside of Melbourne due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The Demons hope to break a 57-year premiership drought while the Western Bulldogs hope to lift the trophy for a second time since 2016.
The code has also been rocked by the sudden death of AFL legend Greg Parke, 73, who played for both grand final sides.
The Demons go into the grand final as red hot favourites, priced at $1.62 by Sportsbet.
AFL boss Gil McLachlan is delighted with how Perth has rallied around the grand final.
This colourful Demons die-hard hopes his club can win their first AFL premiership since 1964
‘There’s a huge energy and demand that I took for granted,’ McLachlan told 6PR radio on Friday.
‘What’s struck me is how appreciative West Australians are. There’s a respect and an empathy for the loss the Victorians are feeling.
‘We might have a silver lining for West Australians, where there’ll be more big games coming to this town.
‘I’m confident about that. We know this is a football town.’