Prime Minister Scott Morrison has admitted on Grand Final day his ignorance of AFL, is a bit like "an atheist turning up at the pearly gates".
Speaking at the annual North Melbourne Grand Final breakfast, the Prime Minister, who famously supports NRL team the Cronulla Sharks, acknowledged the "religious fever" for AFL across the country.
Fans were out in force in anticipation of Saturday's grand final.
With a nod to West Coast Eagles supporter Julie Bishop, sitting amid the crowd, Mr Morrison said Saturday's game was a chance for the nation "to get caught up in something bigger than ourselves".
The morning was punctuated by jokes about leadership changes and the au pair scandal, attended by hundreds of football fans, and featured keynote speeches from AFL CEO Gillian McLachlan, North Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley and Opposition leader Bill Shorten.
Mr Morrison asked the football-mad crowd to "cut me a bit of slack".
"On my own sporting prowess, I confess I've watched a lot more sport than I've played."
He also paid tribute to the new AFLW league and its "new breed of heroes and champions", "to inspire women and girls all across the country".
Mr Shorten continued with the morning's theme of political gags.
"I'd like to thank the North Melbourne Football Club for having me back for my fifth breakfast, and my third Liberal Prime Minister."
Fans posted pictures of their sporting colours on social media.
Others posted pictures of how they plan to watch the game.
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