Football's biggest day of the year, the AFL grand final, is finally here (well almost!).
In a season once again affected by the COVID pandemic, with organisers having to work the schedule around lockdowns and border closures, we have completed all but one of the 225 AFL games for season 2021.
Despite the disruption, this year's decider — between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs — is returning to the normal date for the grand final of the last Saturday in September.
Here's what you need to know about the timing of this year's AFL grand final.
What time is the 2021 AFL grand final?
The match is being played on Saturday, September 25 at Perth Stadium, and starts at 5:15pm local time AWST, which is 7:15pm AEST, and 6:45pm ACST.
This is the AFL's second-ever night-time grand final.
Last year was a historic occasion as the Gabba hosted the first-ever grand final outside Victoria and the first-ever night-time decider on October 24, 2020.
Because the big game is returning to the traditional "one day in September", daylight saving is not an issue this time round.
Who will be the grand final entertainment?
Organisers have gone for a local line-up for 2021, with a very Western Australian feel to the show.
Birds of Tokyo will perform at half-time with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, with John Butler and Eskimo Joe headlining the pre-game entertainment, supported by Abbe May, Stella Donnelly, Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, and Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn of the Waifs.
Some of the traditional grand final moments will be delivered by Mike Brady, who will be in Melbourne to perform Up There Cazaly and One Day in September.
What time is the game expected to finish?
Last year the game began at 7:30pm AEDT, or 6:30pm local time in Brisbane (AEST) and 7:00pm ACST.
It finished shortly before 10:15pm AEDT, with the presentations and the lifting of the cup not until 10:45pm AEDT.
This prompted some criticism from fans that it was too late for children to stay up and watch the end of the match and the cup being presented.
The 2020 season was played with shortened quarters of 16 minutes plus time on. This year games returned to the normal quarters of 20 minutes plus time on.
Given the extra game time for 2021, the AFL moved the start time back 15 minutes, to ensure that play wraps up around the same time as last year.
Barring unexpected delays or breaks for injuries, the AFL grand final itself should finish around 10:15pm AEST, 8:15pm local time in Perth (AWST), 9:45pm in Adelaide and Darwin (ACST).
How to watch the 2021 AFL grand final
If you watch free-to-air on your TV through an antenna, you're fine. Channel Seven will broadcast the game as per usual.
If you're looking to live stream the AFL Grand Final through 7plus, however, you will only be able to do so if you have one of the following: a Telstra TV, Fetch TV, Apple TV, a PlayStation 4/5, an Android TV, or Samsung Tizen model from 2016 and later.
If you do not have a smart TV or a TV antenna, hardware and electronics stores may stock indoor antennas to help you out.
Will the 2021 AFL grand final be shown on Kayo?
Neither Kayo Sports nor Fox Footy hold any rights to the AFL grand final and will not show the match.
How can I listen to the AFL grand final?
There's a couple of options here, with ABC Radio broadcasting the match live across the country, while you can also access the coverage at ABC Sport Digital.
The AFL app and AFL website also have links to radio coverage.
Will ABC live-blog the AFL grand final?
Yes, we will! You can join us here on the ABC Sport Digital website abc.net.au/sport — we will have all the colour from the lead-up tomorrow afternoon around 3.30pm and the action from the big game itself in our live blog.
