Whether you support the Pies or have jumped on the GWS bandwagon, this weekend’s AFL preliminary finals are sure to impress with a wealth of talent on show in Melbourne and Brisbane.
Minor premiers, Collingwood host the Giants at the MCG on Friday night for a place in the AFL Grand Final on Saturday, September 30, while the Brisbane Lions take on Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon. Blues’ fans are rejoicing after their team made the finals for the first time since 2013 and took down Melbourne by two points last Friday night.
There’s nothing better than heading to your fave pub, club, bar or restaurant to cheer on your team in the finals- here are five places to have your eye on the prize with a cold beer in hand:
Contemporary Australian cuisine with a focus on a farm-to-plate philosophy is what you can expect at Wild Water restaurant on Goulburn Valley Highway in Trawool. Proudly named after the translation of the local Aboriginal word Traawool and nestled in The Trawool Estate, this casual dining venue has a light, bright vibe from a full glass frontage allowing sweeping views of the countryside, blond wood table settings and potted greenery.
Get ready for an epic AFL Grand Final showdown at Trawool’s Herb Garden Pizzeria and watch all the action on a colossal screen while devouring $20 pizzas and sipping a drink from the well-stocked bar – don’t forget to bring your own picnic rug or book a table and celebrate with mates.
Experience the foxy and sophisticated bar, restaurant and functions venue Mr McCracken on Larkin Boulevard in Essendon Fields, for a new level of entertainment in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs. With large, spacious outdoor areas including an amazing rock fireplace, take time to chill out and relax with a drop from the superb wine collection; or dine at leisure indoors where an earthy, inviting décor sets the scene for memorable meals.
Join the action for the biggest day in Victorian sport as the Grand Final screens live and loud; there’ll be complimentary bar snacks at halftime and live music after the final siren; perhaps stay for dinner and share a prawn, zucchini, confit cherry tomato, pesto and chilli pizza.
Redfern locals head down Henderson Road to find recently refurbished inner-city pub Lord Raglan to unwind with a cold drink in hand. Servicing a loyal following as well as professionals from surrounding offices, chill out in relaxing surrounds of exposed brick, dark wood table settings and glowing cane lights to peruse a menu of small share plates and classic pub meals.
With food specials, trivia, live sporting events and a DJ, this is the place to chill out with an ice-cold craft beer and chow down on a Raglan cheeseburger with Wagyu beef patty, grilled bacon, cheddar, Swiss cheese, caramelised onion, tomato, beetroot, lettuce and aioli.
Offering a modern British pub with all-day dining, local and international beers and live sport, Adelaide locals and visitors flock to The Elephant on Cinema Place in the heart of the CBD. With multiple spaces, this is the place to celebrate life’s milestones with family, or simply hang out and watch the footy with mates before heading to the dining room to refuel and recharge on pub classics.
Think burgers like the Elly – beef patty, cheese, lettuce, pickles and burger sauce – or tuck into a steak sandwich with caramelised onion, bacon, egg, cheese, lettuce, English mustard, mayo and chips. Opt to share a tasting plate with grilled chorizo, Szechuan squid, arancini, cheese, lavash, dips and pita.
Those looking to experience the flavours of the Alpine Region, head to West Peak Hotel on Lakeside Avenue in Mount Beauty. This Victorian High Country watering hole offers a spacious beer garden ideal for chilling out with an ice-cold brew and plenty of room for the kids to run around; while indoors a rustic vibe of exposed brick and timber sets the scene for dining from a menu showcasing local produce.
Watch all the footy action with a cold one and enjoy finger-lickin’ good smoky BBQ beef ribs, with slaw, corn on the cob and baked potato, or wrap your hands around a smoked pulled pork burger, with cheese, slaw, mustard mayo, chips and onion rings.
