Make grand plans
IT’S that time of year again. Footy fever has hit and everyone is planning their grand final celebrations, so here are a few handy things to remember.
First of all, tomorrow is a public holiday. So, opening hours across the various supermarkets may be different from normal.
Call ahead to double check stores in your local area, but, for those of you in Geelong: Westfield will be open from 10am to 5pm; Coles Geelong on Moorabool St from 9am to 7pm; and, for the Woolworths fans, their trading hours will be 7am to 10pm.
If you’re planning a party for the weekend and you’ve left it until the last minute, Lombards has you covered.
It will also remain open tomorrow and is even shipping in more supplies.
Lombards Ryrie St employee Dan Wilson said the store would be open from 9am to 5pm tomorrow and has everything you need.
“We’re getting in more Bulldogs’ things tomorrow,” he said.
“We should have the inflatable hands, supporter flags, little tiny flags, Bulldogs balloons and all those kinds of things,” he said.
“We’ve got cut-out footballs and barbecue packs with plates and serviettes and we’ve got things for Sydney supporters as well.”
If you are thinking of brushing off the barbecue for the first time in a while, then Hamish Taylor from the award-winning Benno’s Meating Place recommends a good steak to start your’re party off with.
“A good quality steak, probably scotch fillet, would be best in my book,” he said.
Mr Taylor said the sausages were always a good way to go.
“Everyone has a grand final day barbecue and generally the sausages and the hamburgers sell the best.
“We make our own hotdogs, which are also pretty popular.”
For everyone who has decided to brave Melbourne for the event, V/Line has provided extra services that will get you there in time for the Grand Final Parade and back to Geelong for dinner.
An extra train will pick up passengers in South Geelong at 9:35am, Geelong at 9:40am and North Geelong 9:43am. After the parade. an additional train will depart Southern Cross at 2.50pm.