Brisbane Lions supporters Alex and Laura Neil chose a 1,700-kilometer road trip from Brisbane to Melbourne for the AFL Grand Final on Saturday.
They decided to drive after finding last-minute return flights between the two cities would cost $2,400 for the pair.
Instead, they estimated their total road trip expenses, including fuel, lodging, and meals, at around $1,800.
Fuel for their Toyota Hilux accounted for roughly $1,400 of that budget.
By Wednesday night, the couple planned to reach Melbourne to stay with family, having already covered 1,500 kilometers since departing early Monday.
Along the way, they stopped in Newcastle and visited local wineries, sleeping in a rooftop tent at caravan parks.
Laura, a long-time Lions member, did not secure tickets in the grand final ballot, but the absence of stadium entry did not deter the couple.
"We kind of did the calculations and thought it might be a bit more efficient to drive," they told Yahoo News.
They treated the long trek as an extended vacation across eastern Australia, engaging in outdoor activities along the route.
"We were in the ballot, and we didn't end up getting any," Laura said.
Despite missing out on tickets, the couple expressed enthusiasm simply to be near the stadium on match day.
"We'll be pretty stoked just to get in around the G and feel the footy fever," Laura said.
Laura noted that exploring rural towns added enjoyment to the journey down the coast.
"The road trip's fun. Like, we've really enjoyed seeing quirky parts of Australia and small towns," she said.
She added that travelling by road offered a practical way to explore regions they would otherwise fly over.
"It's a great way to see a bit of Australia," Laura said.
Alex voiced concerns about airline pricing during major national sporting events, suggesting baseline economy seats require price caps during peak periods.
"There should be a pretty set price or some form of accountability with at least the baseline prices for economy tickets," Alex said.
He also highlighted the irony of airlines sponsoring major sports leagues while fans face high travel costs to support their teams interstate.
"If you've got the time and you want to get more value for money, spend a week and a half travelling," Alex said.
On the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the match began as an even contest through the opening quarter.
Fremantle held a narrow 37-36 edge in contested balls while Brisbane led in total disposals 93-91, leaving the Dockers with a one-point margin.
