sport news Angry fans slam first AFL grand final parade held on Yarra River Geelong Cats ... trends now
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Finals fever has begun as footy fans descended on Melbourne's Yarra River for this year's history-making AFL grand final parade - but some angry fans have slammed the switch away from holding the event on the city's streets.
The staple feature of footy's biggest week usually moves through Melbourne's city centre with players on the back of utes, but this year the Sydney Swans and Geelong Cats floated along the waterway affectionately known as the 'upside-down river' due to its muddy brown water.
The AFL scrapped the event in 2020 and 2021 when the grand final was played interstate due to Covid-19 lockdowns in Melbourne.
This year's parade featured players travelling down the Yarra from the Swan Street Bridge to the Princes Bridge from 10.30am, before turning back to the MCG as the state enjoyed a public holiday.
The history-making parade saw the grand final stars float down the Yarra River for the first time ever - and fans weren't happy with the switch
Large numbers of footy supporters turned out on the riverbanks but were left disappointed that they couldn't see the stars up close and personal
The players have been presented to the crowd outside the ground, with the 2022 premiership cup on display.
However, the switch from the streets of the CBD to the riverbanks has gone down like a lead
