Final Siren — AFL Grand Final 2023
Melbourne, Australia
2023
Edition of 50
Reflection
For a few hours each year, the Melbourne Cricket Ground becomes the emotional centre of Australia. Final Siren celebrates not only the spectacle of elite sport, but the remarkable way shared moments can unite an entire city and capture the imagination of a nation.
Print information
- Edition
- Limited edition of 50, plus artist proofs.
- Archival pigment print on museum-grade fine art paper.
- Sizes
- Available sizes and presentation options provided on enquiry.
- Certificate
- Signed, numbered and supplied with a certificate of authenticity.
- Framing
- Framed, mounted and print-only options available depending on destination.
- Shipping
- Secure domestic and international delivery quoted individually.
Behind the Flight
Final Siren was photographed during the 2023 AFL Grand Final, capturing the moments immediately after Collingwood defeated Brisbane in front of more than 100,000 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. While the match itself lasted only a few hours, the aerial operation had been planned well in advance.
Flying above a packed stadium like this is unlike any other assignment. Every movement of the helicopter had to be carefully coordinated with Air Traffic Control and the live television broadcast helicopter, the only other aircraft permitted above the MCG during the event. Beside the pilot, a dedicated spotter continuously monitored our separation from surrounding aircraft while relaying intended altitudes and flight paths. It was a genuine team effort from everyone involved.
From the opening bounce until the final siren we orbited the stadium, constantly repositioning to anticipate changing light, evolving play and the celebrations that would follow. There are very few opportunities to pause during a live event, so every photograph requires preparation before the moment actually unfolds.
As the final siren sounded and the crowd erupted, the late afternoon sun broke through to illuminate the MCG and the surrounding city. It was the scene I had been waiting for all day. Beyond the stadium, Melbourne stretched towards the horizon, providing the broader context for an event that, for one afternoon each year, almost brings an entire nation to a standstill.
This photograph forms part of a wider series documenting the AFL Grand Final, but for me it best captures the atmosphere of the occasion. The scale of the crowd, the significance of the event and the city that proudly hosts it.
