2024 Variety Toyota AFL Grand Final Lunch

The Footy Lunch with Heart

Date: 25 September 2024
Time: 11:30am - 3:30pm
Venue: Palladium at Crown Melbourne
Dress: Smart business attire

Founded over 30 years ago by Variety Life Member, Maureen Hafey OAM and her husband, Tom Hafey, the Variety Toyota AFL Grand Final Lunch is a Melbourne institution that has raised over $1.5million for kids living with disability, illness or experiencing disadvantage.  Through the ongoing support of Melbourne’s football community, Variety – the Children’s Charity has changed the lives of thousands of kids in need and their families.

Each year, on the Wednesday before Toyota AFL Grand Final, Crown Palladium is transformed by football mania as media, celebrities, the football fraternity and eager AFL fans all converge to make this the football lunch of the year.  A highlight of AFL Grand Final week, guests will be treated to a sumptuous three course meal, with accompany beverages while enjoying entertainment including industry insights, stories from players past and present and live performances.

Annual Award Presentations

Tom Hafey Variety Heart of Football Award

Variety – the Children’s Charity presents the Variety Heart of Football Award to an AFL/AFLW player who has inspired us through his or her selfless actions and dedication to children. In honour of AFL legend and Variety supporter, the late Tom Hafey, the award was renamed the Tom Hafey Variety Heart of Football Award in 2014. Past recipients of the award include Scott Selwood, Robert Harvey, Eddie Betts, Emma Kearney and most recently, Kate Darby in 2023.

Variety Young Sports Achiever Award

The Variety Young Sports Achiever Award is presented to a special young person who has overcome adversity to achieve an outstanding level of success in sport.

Last year we had the privilege of celebrating Charlee Lang, who was awarded the 2023 Variety Young Sports Achiever Award. At just 15 years old, Charlee is a gymnastics star with Down Syndrome, working hard to qualify for National selection in 2026 with dreams of attending the World Games in 2027. 

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