THIS year's Grand Final is shaping as one of the hottest in recorded history with a maximum temperature above 25 degrees predicted.
The hottest Grand Final day was recorded in 1987, when Carlton defeated Hawthorn by 33 points on September 26 as the mercury reached 30.7 degrees.
The warmest Grand Final in the past decade was recorded when Hawthorn raised the premiership cup in 2008. The maximum temperature was 24 degrees that day.
Senior BOM forecaster Scott Williams told AFL.com.au that the long-range forecast predicted this year's Grand Final on October 3 would rank among the top five warmest.
"It's looking quite warm for Grand Final day," Williams said.
"We should see northerly winds, and it's likely to be above 25 degrees on Grand Final. Given the very cold weather we've had intermittently this year, that's a pretty good outlook.
"It will probably put it in the top five [hottest Grand Finals]. We've had four others above 25. The hottest ever was 30.7 degrees in 1987; we'd struggle to reach that, I think, but upper 20s looks like it's on the cards."
The weather will also be fine for the Grand Final parade next Friday with a forecast temperature of about 25 degrees.
But the news isn't so good for the Brownlow Medal count in Melbourne on Monday night with a 30-40 per cent chances of showers predicted in the evening.
"I think there will need to be a few umbrellas around just in case," Williams said.
"There will be one or two showers about … coolish with 16 the top temperature."
Hawthorn and Carlton battled it out for the 1987 premiership in 30-degree heat. Picture: AFL Media
