Perth’s AFL Grand Final fever has hit new heights with a giant Sherrin footy banner measuring approximately 12m high and 6.5m wide hanging over the Swan River from Perth’s Matagarup Bridge.
The McGowan Government, through Tourism WA, organised the supersized Sherrin to mark the State’s history-making 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium on September 25.
The banner is part of Tourism WA’s AFL Grand Final initiatives to encourage city visitors, support tourism businesses, and promote Perth and Western Australia as a tourism destination.
This includes support for the AFL Premiership Cup Tour covering major tourist spots in Western Australia, AFL Grand Final banners throughout the Perth CBD, and an AFL-themed mural by Indigenous artist Kamsani Bin Salleh on Karak Walk near Yagan Square.
Grand Final accommodation packages have also been promoted to regional WA footy fans, while the ‘Play on in Perth’ promotion – now sold out – aims to encourage people visiting the city for Grand Final celebrations to book discounted city tour experiences.
Abbey Holmes, AFLW star and Grand Final commentator, has been hosted at Perth tourism attractions to create marketing content promoting the attractions of Perth and surrounds.
Footy fans on Instagram and Snapchat will be able to give their own content a WA touch thanks to a series of special 2021 AFL Grand Final GIFs created by Tourism WA, featuring our State’s famous quokka with a footy, the AFL Premiership Cup, as a goal umpire, and in both Demons and Bulldogs colours.
An AFL Grand Final page on westernaustralia.com will list CBD-based hospitality and hotel businesses hosting AFL Grand Final functions, venues showing the Grand Final on big screens, and AFL activities taking place throughout the city.
The 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final is expected to be a windfall for WA, with footy fans filling Perth hotel rooms and spending money at bars and restaurants, while the national television broadcast of the game from Perth’s Optus Stadium will reach millions.
As stated by Tourism Minister David Templeman:
“Our city is renowned for its picturesque positioning on the banks of the Swan River and now, thanks to this supersized Sherrin, we’re expecting a whole new audience to catch a glimpse of its beauty as people share this image on their socials.
“Together with the cup tour, and the more than seven million people who are expected to watch the Grand Final on TV, that’s incredible exposure for our State as a tourism destination.
“I encourage anyone lucky enough to be here in person for this historic occasion to Play on in Perth and take a tour such as an Indigenous cultural tour, Swan River cruise, or see the city on a Segway.”
As stated by Sports and Recreation Minister Tony Buti:
“A giant football positioned over the Swan River shows that Perth has been truly gripped by Grand Final fever and has gone all-in for the occasion.
“We’ve also seen it on the cup tour around WA – kids in communities such as Halls Creek turning out in big numbers to catch a glimpse of footy’s ultimate prize.
“It’s proof that AFL is more than a game for West Australians and we can’t wait to see an AFL Grand Final played here at home, to a full house, at the world’s most beautiful stadium.”
