Fans board bus for epic trip to MCG

Excitement levels were “through the roof” according to Gannaways Charters and Tours owner Ray Gannaway, as he loaded up a coach full of West Coast Eagles supporters to begin the journey across the Nullarbor yesterday.

The bus was loaded with 35 footy fanatics plus the crew, as they faced 48 hours of driving to make it to the AFL Grand Final and street parade on Friday.

Leaving from the Busselton depot at 6am, the coach made its way through Bunbury and Australind to pick up faithful fans, with a final stop in Mundaring before embarking on the epic journey. “Everybody is fired up and ready to go,” Mr Gannaway said.

“Normally we only take 32 or 33, but a couple of extra people pleaded so we threw them on – which is good, it’s no drama.”

He said the passengers ranged from 11 years old to 88.

“They are all duly excited, even though it does look like we are going into typical Melbourne weather for the big game,” he said.

Mr Gannaway is also the coordinator of the Busselton Eagles Supporters Club, which has been going strong since 1997 and includes members across the South West.

The coach and its team also made the journey in 2015 when the Eagles came up against Hawthorn, but Mr Gannaway was hoping for a different result this time around.

“There is a bit more confidence around this time than 2015 – I think everyone is a bit more comfortable with the Eagles being up for the challenge this time despite the fact it is Collingwood’s home ground,” he said.

“Fingers crossed we get the result that we need and the fourth premiership in the Eagles’ cabinet.”

He said on board entertainment included a choice of more than 200 Eagles games.