AFL Grand Final: Where the Brisbane, Geelong stars call home
All eyes are on the MCG Saturday as Brisbane and Geelong go head to head in this year’s AFL Grand Final.
What we won’t see is where the players will head after the siren sounds — Premiership Medal in hand or otherwise.
From sleek modern builds to character homes, here is where some of the Grand Final’s biggest stars will spend their off season.
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Bailey Smith
Bailey Smith (right) celebrates during Geelong’s AFL Second Preliminary Final win over the Hawthorn Hawks. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.
A headline maker on and off the pitch, Smith is the current bookies’ favourite to take home the coveted Norm Smith Medal.
In December 2024 it was revealed that he had snapped up a $4m Bellbrae home in Victoria’s Surf Coast.
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There is plenty of room to kick a footy on the nearly 6ha property, which also includes a mineral pool, in-ground trampoline and shed outside.
Inside, the home includes four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas, and a study.
Surrounded by bush and just 10 minutes from Torquay Surf Beach, the home is a relaxed getaway just 30 minutes from GMHBA Stadium, Geelong’s home ground.
It’s also an hour-and-a-half drive from the MCG, where Smith will look to be a hero come Grand Final day.
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Lachie Neale
Lachie Neale during Brisbane’s Qualifying Final clash with Geelong. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.
Smith’s opposite number on Saturday will be two-time Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale – should he be fully recovered from a calf injury.
The Lions’ midfield maestro opened his doors to The Courier Mailin April, revealing his “little sanctuary” in Brisbane’s inner-east.
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Lions captain Lachie Neale with wife Jules Neale and dog Harley at their Brisbane home. Picture: David Kelly.
The outdoor area at Neale’s home. Picture: Nigel Hallett
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Neale and wife Jules bought the Seven Hills home at auction for $2.43m in July 2022.
The five-bedroom property has two storeys and plenty of outdoor room for Neale’s two kids and dog, Harley, to run around.
Come Saturday, the Brisbane co-captain may be adding a second Premiership Medal to his master bedroom.
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Neale will be hoping to bring home more silverware this weekend. Picture: Nigel Hallett
Patrick Dangerfield
Dangerfield was influential in the Geelong Cats’ Preliminary Final at the MCG. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.
Patrick Dangerfield rolled back the years to inspire Geelong to this year’s Grand Final, picking up 31 disposals and three goals in their Preliminary Final meeting with Hawthorn.
The Cats captain does things his own way on and off the field, as exemplified by his hands-on involvement in the designing of his megapad on Victoria’s Surf Coast.
Danger and wife Mardi first picked up the Moggs Creek property for about $2m in 2016, before lodging a planning permit application to build a $1.2m residence in 2018.
Patrick Dangerfield’s ‘Danger Build’ in Moggs Creek, Victoria. Picture: @dangers_build on Instagram.
Patrick Dangerfield and wife Marni at their home. Picture: @dangers_build on Instagram.
The former Brownlow medallist documented the construction of “Danger’s build” on Instagram, with the project concluding at the end of 2021.
Its facade is sleek and modern, with huge windows maximising natural light.
A standout feature is an outdoor spiral staircase which leads you to a rooftop lookout, where you can take in the coastline along the Great Ocean Rd.
An eight-time all-Australian, Dangerfield will look to be the architect for Geelong’s success on the weekend.
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Josh Dunkley
Josh Dunkley of the Lions during the AFL Semi Final match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos via Getty Images.
A midfield monster, Dunkley has made over 200 tackles this season for the Lions.
In 2023, he tackled the property market, with varying success.
After defecting from the Bulldogs to Brisbane, Dunkley picked up a $2.265m home in Paddington in December 2022, along with his netballer wife Tippah Dawn.
The two-storey home is located on one of Paddington’s most esteemed streets and includes five bedrooms.
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Inside Josh Dunkley’s Paddington home.
The backyard would be a great site for a Grand Final afterparty.
The outdoor area includes a pool, entertaining deck and a well-kept lawn.
In October 2023, Dunkley sold his Port Melbourne investment property for a $50,000 loss, not long after his loss in the 2023 Grand Final.
Dunkley will hope to be involved in a second straight Grand Final win this year, following Brisbane’s demolition of the Sydney Swans in 2024.
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