What time does the AFL grand final start?

The season-decider will make history with a first-ever time slot and new host city for the showdown between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

With the match being played at Perth’s Optus Stadium for the first time, the first bounce will happen during the twilights hours of 5.15pm local time.

The biggest occasion in Australian football can be watched on Channel 7 and 7HD from 2pm.

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Fox Footy is also running a blockbuster day of football beginning from 2pm through to 11.15pm. You can also watch a replay of the grand final on Fox Footy from 11.15pm.

The official pre-match festivities begin from 6.15pm, including the pre-match entertainment and the performance of the Welcome to Country and national anthem.

The AFL last week announced the line-up for the match day entertainment, including a half time performance from Perth-based alternative rock group Birds of Tokyo alongside the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

This year’s pre-match entertainment is loaded with West Australian talent, including John Butler, Eskimo Joe, Abbe May, indie phenom Stella Donnelly, Men at Work’s Colin Hay and Young Australian of the Year Baker Boy.

The Waifs’ Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn and Indigenous duo Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse will also feature.

The Demons are hoping to snap a record 57-year premiership drought while the Bulldogs are hoping to replicate their fairytale 2016 run to the premiership from outside the top four.