All-Australian defender Brodie Smith will be following in some very fast footsteps when he lines up in the AFL Grand Final Sprint at the MCG on Saturday.
Smith, 22, will take three-time winner Patrick Dangerfield’s place as Adelaide’s representative in the sprint, which will be held at half time of the AFL decider between Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans. The sprint heats will take place at midday (SA time).
Dangerfield is the defending Grand Final Sprint champion, having claimed the title in three consecutive years (2011-2013). The sprint was first held on Grand Final Day in 1977.Originally over a mile, the distance was changed to 100m in 1979. The racewasn’t held between 1987 and 2001, but was reintroduced in 2002.
Crows great Ben Rutten will also feature in the Grand Final Day festivities as one of 17 retired players to be recognised in a lap of honour at 1:00pm (SA time).
2014 Grand FinalSprint Participants
Adelaide – Brodie Smith
Brisbane Lions – Daniel McStay
Carlton – Kane Lucas
Collingwood – Ben Kennedy
Essendon – Patrick Ambrose
Fremantle – Zac Dawson
Geelong – Jordan Murdoch
Gold Coast – Jarred Ellis
GWS – Adam Tomlinson
Hawthorn – Billy Hartung
Kangaroos – Luke McDonald
Melbourne – Jayden Hunt
Port Adelaide – Andrew Moore
Richmond – Bachar Houli
St Kilda – Clint Jones
Sydney Swans – Daniel Robinson
West Coast – Will Schofield
Western Bulldogs – Jason Tutt
Grand Final Sprint Winners ofthe Modern Era
2002 Jared Crouch (Sydney Swans)
2003 James Walker (Fremantle)
2004 James Walker (Fremantle)
2005 Brett Deledio (Richmond)
2006 Brendan Fevola (Carlton)
2007 Jake King (Richmond)
2008 Matt White (Richmond)
2009 Rhys Stanley (St Kilda)
2010 Luke Miles (St Kilda)
2011 Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
2012 Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
2013 Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
