It’s footy final weekend, and plenty of pubs around the country are gearing up – and dressing up – for the twin NSW v Victoria grand final games.
As the red & white Swans head south to their city of origin, they are now the outsiders to an army of red, white & blue taking over Melbourne, as the Western Bulldogs look to take their first premiership since 1954.
Footscray’s Bulldogs came from near the bottom of the eight to earn the right to fight for the title, building 60 points during the season, while Sydney enter as minor premiers, equal first on 68 points.
The Dogs’ charge from behind has built to a fairytale frenzy, and it seems most of Victoria is on their side for tomorrow’s match-up.
Yarraville’s Railway Hotel – normally a white building – donned blue and red stripes this week, in preparation for a pending celebration for owner and lifelong supporter, Jason Sneddon. (see video below)
“It’s been a long wait, it’ll be a long party,” he told The Age.
North Melbourne’s The Royal Mail, which normally support the Kangaroos, even added some red to its regular blue and white frontage, in solidarity for the Victorian effort.
But Sydney hasn’t escaped the melee, with Paddy Coughlan all but high-jacking the bandwagon by renaming his city-fringe pub in honour of the far away Cronulla Sharks.
For this weekend, the Lord Gladstone shall be known as the Lord Gallen.
“I think everyone in Sydney will be adopting the Sharks as their team for this Sunday’s Grand Final and we’re no different,” Coughlan told Concrete Playground.
“Even though we’re not in the Shire, we decided for this week only to rename the pub in honour of the great man Paul Gallen.
“We love the Sharkies, and in particular Paul Gallen, and how he’s led the team all year is remarkable.”
Meanwhile, the Storm arrived in Sydney on Wednesday for Sunday’s grand final against the Sharks. No support for the Storm was found north of the border in time for this publication.
See the Railway Hotel get painted up for the Grand Final