This is it. AFL Grand Final weekend about to begin. Hawthorn vs Freemantle in pitch battle tomorrow at the MCG playing for footy’s holy grail. We’re told the half time entertainment will be an all-Australian affair (AFL boss Andrew Demetriou was heard to say during the week, “We’re still recovering from Meatloaf…”). This year it’ll be Hunters and Collectors & Birds of Tokyo.

Birds of Tokyo, half time entertainment – AFL Grand Final 2013.

Is it just me or was last night’s footy show the best indication yet that homo-erotica and a more-than-curious fascination with cross dressing has reached a coming-of-age in AFL football? For those who didn’t see it (or don’t watch it) channel nine’s footy show reaches a crescendo each year on Thursday night before the Grand Final, with a monster live show at Rod Laver Arena. Every year they close the show with the infamous ‘players review’ – a bunch of current & ex-footballers strutting their stuff live on stage to backing tracks. We’ve gotta give it to ex-Melbourne player David Rodan – that man can really dance. Other acts included Sam Newman as Elton John, miming ‘Tiny Dancer’ to a ‘little person’ in drag atop a grand piano, Garry Lyon costumed as fish-net stockinged Sher straddling a giant cannon, and a current player thoroughly revelling in being a very skimpily-clad Miley Cyrus for the night. And so it went.

Hey, I’m not complaining – just an observation.

Don’t know who to pick for tomorrow. I’m thinking Hawthorn… but they will definitely have their work cut out for them.

Fires out.