AFL Grand Final - Qualification and Prize - AFL Grand Final Sprint

AFL Grand Final Sprint

Since 1977 a running race has taken place on Grand Final day between various players who are not taking part in the game. In 1977-78 it was a long-distance race run over a mile with each league club able to nominate up to two entrants. In 1979 the race was changed to a 100m sprint with one player per club taking part.

Between 1979-87 the two clubs participating in the Grand Final had the option of providing one of their players who missed selection in the match, but generally chose not to do so, meaning the sprint was usually contested by a field of 10 players during this era.

The race was not held from 1988 to 2001 but was reintroduced in 2002 (along with a goalkicking contest - the TXU Sharpshooter - which only lasted one year). With the number of league clubs having grown to 16 during the break in competition, a new format was adopted with the players now split into two groups of eight for the heats (held before the Grand Final), with the top four from each heat advancing to the final (held at half-time of the Grand Final). In recent years a handicapping system has also been introduced.