Brisbane coach clips AFL decision after Lions shafted for Katy Perry ahead of grand final

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has taken a veiled swipe at AFL powerbrokers after his team were denied an extra training session at the MCG because Katy Perry has to rehearse for her grand final performance. The AFL scored a massive coup when they secured Perry to perform at Saturday's grand final, and she's even been given priority ahead of the Lions.

It was reported earlier this week that Brisbane asked the AFL if they could train on the MCG on Thursday, in addition to their scheduled 'captain's run' on Friday. But the AFL knocked back the request because the MCG isn't available on Thursday due to Perry's rehearsals.

An MCG spokesperson said the grand final entertainment always has rehearsals on the Thursday before the grand final, so it's nothing out of the ordinary. Discussing the situation on Wednesday night, Lions coach Fagan said on Channel 7 with a smile: "It's good to see that the AFL's got their priorities right. They don't let the team on that actually has to play in the game."

However the coach downplayed any controversy, saying his team will train at a different venue on Thursday instead. "Fortunately we've played two games on the MCG in the last five weeks, so we've had reasonable preparation in that regard. Having played there last week (against Geelong) was a bonus. We'll get a captain's run there on Friday so that should be fine."

Fagan and the Lions are looking to go one better than last year when they lost to Collingwood in the grand final. And they've switched up their preparation this time around in the hope it makes the players more comfortable.

Last year they trained in Brisbane on the Thursday before the game before flying down to Melbourne, but their flight was delayed and the whole thing felt too rushed. In 2024 the Lions got to Melbourne on Wednesday and have felt much more relaxed and ready.

"A lot of the players have been talking about how they feel like it's already a better routine," Fagan said. "With the experience of last year...they seem much calmer this year. I think they know what to expect now."

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Will Katy Perry be allowed to sing 'Roar' at AFL grand final?

And while his comments about Perry getting priority on the MCG were tongue-in-cheek, there's no doubt the AFL would have ruffled some feathers with the decision. The AFL also reportedly had to negotiate with the pop mega-star about which songs she'll sing on Saturday, coming to a compromise that she'll only perform one of her new hits and the majority will be older, more famous ones.

However there have been some suggestions she won't sing her most iconic hit 'Roar' due to a perceived bias it will paint towards the Lions. The AFL are said to be keen to avoid any suggestion they're giving either team preferential treatment, and that goes as far as the songs Perry will sing.

Karl Stefanovic said on Channel 9 this week: “It’s one of Katy Perry’s best songs and highest selling, but there’s a vicious rumour … Katy Perry couldn’t sing her famous track 'Roar' because it would unfairly support the Brisbane Lions in their quest for another grand final victory. It would be an outrage if she can’t play it. It would be ridiculous.”

But Perry later suggested in a radio interview that she's been given the green light to play it. “Okay, I’ll play it. I’ll play it," she said.