City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the once-in-a-lifetime event would be remembered by our city and state for generations.

“Our next moment has arrived. Let’s make this the best it can be. A celebration of everything great and everything we have to be thankful for in Western Australia,” he said.

“That’s what the AFL grand final in Perth represents. People talk about the 1962 Empire Games, Skylab in 1979, the America’s Cup in Fremantle back in 1987 and yes, the Giants in 2015.”

With Perth already in a Grand Final fever with the announcement, the Lord Mayor said he envisioned the city centre emblazoned in colour, with banners up and down St Georges Terrace and every shop window and hotel foyer decorated.

“We look forward to working with our stakeholders to deliver an amazing AFL Grand Final Parade experience for the people of WA,” he said.

“No Grand Final is complete without the parade and the City of Perth is excited that so many Australians will see our great city at her very best. Let’s show the rest of Australia how well we can do it.

“And then on Saturday, it’s off to Optus Stadium for the AFL’s biggest game.”

With fans from South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory currently free to enter Western Australia, it is anticipated the AFL Grand Final will create millions of dollars of economic activity for Perth and WA.

Image credit: Osprey Creative.