Australia’s political, business and media heavyweights at the MCG for the AFL grand final

Also at the top table was Stokes’ son Ryanthe director of Seven, and the presidents of the competing clubs, Andrew Pridham (Swans) and Andrew Wellington (Lions).

Victorian Prime Minister Jacinta Allen was there too, along with some of her counterparts in South Australia Peter Malinauskas and Tasmania Jeremy Rockliffwhose state will host the league’s 19th team.

Federal Minister of Trade Don Farrell hosted counterpart in the United Arab Emirates Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudito celebrate the countries signing a reciprocal free trade agreement.

The lunch was a chance to catch up, as Gardner jumped up from her seat to chat with the philanthropist and Sportsgirl owner Naomi Milgromwho came as a guest of the President of Collingwood Jeff Brownejust as she did for the number of Brownlow medals.

Later former AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan was seen balancing a huge tray of beer as he shot through the wind with the broadcaster Craig Hutchisonthe latter in the news as he is expected to defect from Nine to Seven.

Singer Mark Seymor performed his national anthem Throw your arms around me, listened to by First Nations rapper Briggswho was there in the company of his father, Paul Briggsthe co-chair of the AFL’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Advisory Council.

ABC Chairman provided a large media presence at the luncheon Kim WilliamsNews Corp boss Michael MolenaarFoxtel boss Patrick Delanybroadcaster Eddie McGuire (also a former president of Collingwood) and Nine Entertainment chairman Catherine West.

On arrival, guests enjoyed a gin and poached prawn salad before a main course of roast beef tenderloin, supervised by chef Curtis Stone.

Not present: NSW Premier Chris Minns and Queensland Premier Steven Miles. Or Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto, who is in the middle of a defamation lawsuit bought by the exiled MP Moira Deeming. Pesutto gave his ticket again to the opposition sports spokesman Sam Groth after arriving late following Monday’s Brownlow count.

Loading

Club presidents included Lucas Sayers (Carlton) the former PwC boss, and Sonja Kap (North Melbourne) were in the room. Hood got the big final day off to a good start with Saturday’s traditional breakfast, hosted by North Melbourne, with 1,400 guests including Albanians and federal opposition leaders. Peter Duton at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

As Albanese said, breakfast was the only way anyone could get the words ‘grand final’ and ‘North Melbourne’ in the same sentence. North finished 17th this season.

Hood welcomed both the Prime Minister and Dutton. “I didn’t think we had much in common, but as I was writing this speech I realized that all three of us are actually trying desperately to turn an underperforming organization back on track,” she said.

“The Leader of the Opposition and I have both taken a different approach, tying our respective futures to a powerful but volatile energy source. For Mr Dutton it is nuclear fission; for me it is Alastair Clarkson. Let’s hope yours is less explosive than mine.’

Hood saved one of her best zingers for rival code rugby league. “Whether today’s match for you is South Melbourne versus Fitzroy, or Sydney versus Brisbane, or NSW versus Queensland – finally a State of Origin clash that won’t put me to sleep.”

Start the day with a summary of the most important and interesting stories, analyzes and insights of the day. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.