Perth kicks first goals of AFL Grand Final with footy-friendly forecast
24/09/2021
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast partly cloudy but rain-free skies for the first-ever AFL Grand Final to be played in Perth.
Senior Meteorologist James Ashley said Perth was in for a pleasant spring evening, with the temperature forecast for the first bounce to be around 21C, and no rain expected during the game.
"We know that many Australians love AFL, so there is always a lot of interest in what the weather will be like on Grand Final day – and not only for those attending the big game, but for those, particularly Western Bulldogs and Melbourne supporters at home glued to their TVs or radios too," Mr Ashley said.
"Fans, players, and coaches alike will be pleased to hear that Perth will likely see only partly cloudy skies for the first bounce at 5.15pm (AWST).
"For those lucky enough to have a ticket to the Grand Final, it could be worth packing a jacket – whether it's the red, white and blue of the Western Bulldogs, or the red and blue of Melbourne – as conditions will cool down during the game.
"By the time the winner is lifting the Premiership Cup aloft, the temperature at the ground is expected to be around 18C.
"Changing conditions can influence the game and in some cases have an impact on the outcome, but the weather in Perth for the AFL Grand Final should be reasonably comfortable for the players and fans.
"They will be very different conditions to the ones players experienced at the Gabba in Brisbane last year, with pre-game storms and energy-sapping humidity.
“Saturday evening won’t be particularly windy, with a southeasterly of about 15 kilometres per hour expected.
“It also won’t be dewy at the ground with humidity remaining below 50 per cent during the game.
"As always, the Bureau is proud to provide the information footy fans across Australia want to know ahead of the game.”
Follow the game-day weather by visiting www.bom.gov.au or by downloading the BOM Weather app.
* Perth will see a maximum temperature of 27C with a fresh easterly of 25-40 kilometres per hour easing to a southeasterly of 15-20 kilometres per hour in the afternoon making for a "feels-like" temperature of 17C at the first bounce. There is a 5 per cent chance of rain during the day.
Grand Final weather facts:
* 2020 AFL Grand Final (24 October, Brisbane): Daytime storms clearing, humid. Maximum temperature: 26C. Rainfall: 0.4mm to 9am and 37.8mm from 9am.
* Last AFL Grand Final win by the Western Bulldogs (1 October 2016, Melbourne): Partly cloudy. Maximum temperature: 18.6C. Rainfall after 9am: 0mm.
* Last AFL/VFL Grand Final win by Melbourne (19 September 1964, Melbourne). Fine and sunny. Maximum temperature: 20.8C. Rainfall after 9am: 0mm.
* Last time the Bulldogs and Melbourne played in an AFL/VFL Grand Final (25 September 1954, Melbourne): Cloud clearing. Maximum temperature: 14C. Rainfall after 9am: 0mm.
* Warmest AFL/VFL Grand Final (3 October 2015, Melbourne): Maximum temperature: 31.3C.
* Coldest AFL/VFL Grand Final (20 September 1958, Melbourne): Maximum temperature: 11.3C.
* Wettest AFL/VFL Grand Final* (1 October 1927, Melbourne): Steady rain. Muddy, slushy surface. Rainfall to 9am: 21.1mm and rainfall from 9am: 16.3mm (* wetter than 2020 because of rain during the game).
