A handful of climate protesters have disrupted the annual AFL Grand Final parade – lying down in front of the ute carrying the premiership cup in Melbourne. The three protesters were wearing T-shirts saying ‘can’t play footy in 50 degrees’ and blocked the parade about halfway through the route.
About 100,000 fans watched the Grand Final teams and coaches leave the Grand Slam Oval by motorcade and make their way along the river and through to the MCG. This year’s Grand Final marks 20-years since Collongwood and Brisbane have clashed for the cup, with the teams expected to play to a sell-out MCG crowd.
Security guards removed the protesters from the route after a few minutes, with helicopter footage showing the demonstrators being dragged away. Footage shows two of the protesters sitting in front of the ute, with a third laying facedown on the road.
Two security guards are seen grabbing one of the protestors by their arms and legs and lifting them out of the ute’s way. The disruption lasted a few minutes before the parade continued to the cheers of adoring Collingwood and Brisbane fans.
