Grand Final Sprint SHOCKER: AFL Stars Dropped as Olympic Boxer Steals the Show
- Manhunt for Rising Athletics Star Gout Gout to Fire Starter Gun
- Only 7 AFL Players to Compete, Breaking Tradition of All 18 Teams Participating
- Olympic Boxer Harry Garside to Join Gout Gout in Half-Time Sprint Sensation
Gout Gout, the rising athletics star, will fire the starter gun at Saturday’s half-time sprint at the MCG, but it’s not the only surprise in store for AFL fans. In a shocking twist, only seven AFL players will compete in the grand final sprint, breaking the tradition of having runners from all 18 teams.
Beau McCreery (Magpies), Nick Blakey (Swans), Toby Greene (Giants), Jed Walter (Suns), Maurice Rioli (Tigers), Jack Higgins (Saints), and Murphy Reid (Dockers) will run against Olympic boxer Harry Garside, who is set to steal the show.
Traditionally, players from each of the 18 AFL teams — including the two teams playing — would compete in heats prior to the game before the final is run at half-time. But this year, the AFL has decided to mix things up, and the result is set to be a thrilling spectacle.
“It would’ve been great to be playing on Saturday, but I’m excited to be part of the biggest day on the AFL calendar, racing,” Toby Greene said in a statement released by the AFL. “Can’t wait to go up against Harry, and hopefully, the boys can impress Gout.”
The junior club of the winning runner will be awarded $5,000, adding an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings. And with Olympic boxer Harry Garside joining the lineup, this year’s grand final sprint is shaping up to be one for the ages.