Richmond's iconic Swan Street would be transformed into a giant two-day long Tiger army street party if the Yarra City Council had its way.
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In a street party to end all street parties, the council made a formal request to VicRoads, Victoria Police, Public Transport Victoria and the Richmond Football Club to have the road closed between Punt Road and Church Street from the early hours of Saturday morning until the sun goes down on Sunday evening.
However, VicRoads has been quick to quash the council proposal arguing such extreme measures were not necessary.
Thousands of footy fans flooded Swan Street on Saturday night after the Tigers qualified for the grand final.
The street is set to become a sea of black and yellow again this weekend as thousands more punters flock the the strip to watch the AFL grand final clash between the Richmond Tigers and Adelaide Crows at their favourite watering hole.
Most venues that have opted to sell tickets - ranging from $10 to reserve a spot to $40 for a foot in the door and some finger food - are already sold out.
A crowd of 100,000 people is expected at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, while more than 16,000 Tigers fans are expected to pack the Punt Road oval for the game.
Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly said the council were preparing for unprecedented crowds to swamp the precinct and he is pushing for a 48-hour closure of Swan Street to all traffic, except trams.
"This is the single, biggest event to hit the area in decades, like it or not, there is going to be thousands and thousands of people on the street going to the MCG or watching the game for the pubs," Cr Jolly said.
"Even blind Freddy can see that nearly every person in Richmond and across Melbourne is going to want to come to the area to soak up the atmospshere."
"Throw alcohol into the mix, people drinking and in high spirits, then I think we're asking for trouble."
"It's just common sense to put safety first and put in adequate road closures to minimise the risk to the public."
VicRoads acting chief executive Peter Todd said Swan Street and Punt Road will remain open, however, a 40km/h speed will be in place and crowds will be met by a strong police presence.
Parking on Swan Street, which is owned by VicRoads, will also be removed.
"Well, apart from the normal closures that happen around the MCG on Grand Final Day we will not be closing Swan Street and Bridge Road," he told 3AW on Tuesday evening.
"People would be aware that Brunton Avenue and Jolimont Street are closed as normal, but we had a meeting with Victoria Police, the council, PTV and Richmond Football Club today and we agreed that we won't be closing it.
"They are really important corridors for trams, and for other people to access the precinct, so we don't think we need to do that, but we do want people to be safe so will be 40 kilometre an hour speed limit along Punt Road between Bridge Road and down towards Citylink."
Portable toilets will be in place on Swan Street and Bridge Road, while water fountains will be provided by City West Water.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police were confident that road closures undertaken by VicRoads would take into consideration all safety issues for motorists and pedestrians.
VicRoads has been contacted for further comment.
