3 minute read

Katy Perry played her hit song 'Roar' to open the AFL grand final entertainment and it proved prophetic as the Brisbane Lions romped to the premiership.

The Brisbane Lions' AFL grand final began to the echoes of Katy Perry's roar.

Then the Lions shook the Sydney Swans down from the sky and tore them limb from limb with a snarl as their fans found their own voice.

If Perry had promised playing her smash hit wasn't showing the Lions favouritism, Chris Fagan's charges certainly took it as an omen.

And while Perry didn't play 'Hot N Cold', Brisbane and Sydney played each role to a tee as the Lions stormed to an 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) hiding at the MCG, in front of 100,013 fans, to claim their first flag since 2003.

Pre-game, pop superstar Perry swept in upon a strange vehicle - seemingly a cross between the Batmobile and a handheld vacuum cleaner - then received a rousing reception as she ripped into 'Roar'.

Her mid-set material fell somewhat flat, surrounded by dancers in metallic pink jumpsuits holding oversized silver foil balloons, and others in orange outfits

But she won the crowd back then was joined on stage by Tina Arena for 'I Kissed A Girl' before the pair combined for the latter's old hit 'Chains'.

Perry closed the show, appropriately with plenty of pyro on hand, for her performance of arguably her biggest hit, 'Firework'.

Then the teams came out.

A serious-faced Harris Andrews led the Lions out, ahead of co-captain Lachie Neale, feeling the love from Brisbane and Fitzroy types alike, while Josh Dunkley grinned and soaked up the atmosphere.

Brisbane stuck with their Ted Lasso-esque 'BELIEVE' tagline on their banner, with 'you'll hear our mighty roar' on the other side.

Stand-in Swans skipper Dane Rampe addressed his nervous-looking charges in the tunnel before leading them out, as Sydney and South Melbourne types alike awaited their arrival.

The vibes couldn't have been more different.

After Brisbane huffed and puffed early, Sydney's Will Hayward kicked the opening goal.

Less than a minute later, Papley snapped a wonderful goal on the run and wheeled away in celebration to set the MCG alight.

Then Kai Lohmann kicked two goals in a minute and it was game on.

Brisbane kicked into overdrive in the second quarter, booting seven goals to Sydney's one to put the game firmly in their grasp.

When Eric Hipwood kicked an extraordinary goal from the boundary, then imitated Jason Akermanis's iconic hand-on-mouth celebration, the Lions faithful were in full song.

A year after winning his own premiership medal, Collingwood dasher Beau McCreery won the halftime grand final sprint from St Kilda's Darcy Wilson.

But the Lions didn't stop after the break.

Will Ashcroft broke Sydney hearts with a snap out of the pack.

Then Cam Rayner soared for the mark of the day, converted and brought the house down.

Brisbane never looked back.