TO the dismay of Lions footy fans watching on from Queensland's Cape Hillsborough beach, a wild kangaroo has tipped the Geelong Cats to win the Toyota 2020 AFL Grand Final.
The plucky roo gave Victorians a collective shot in the arm when it picked the iconic navy and white guernsey from a line-up of colours representing the four teams left in the competition. It was the second attempt for the roo, who initially seemed reluctant to make a choice.
Just like Paul the Octopus, the eight-legged soothsayer that rose to fame after predicting the outcome of FIFA 2010 World Cup matches, the kangaroo, one of the resident roos at the beach, took a hunch - and a hop - toward the Geelong guernsey.
The reaction from the 50 or so travellers gathered on the beach to watch proved a mixed bag.
"I think the kangaroo was pretty spot on when it picked Geelong ... 'cause that's who I'm going for. Go Geelong!" said one mum who had been spending time at Cape Hillsborough.
One Lions supporter wasn't too thrilled with the Queensland traitor: "I was a bit disappointed. It should have gone with the other one (Lions jersey). But anyway, I hope Brisbane gets up regardless. It will be a pretty close game."
The Lions have the opportunity to prove the roo wrong if they can knock off the Cats in this Saturday's preliminary final at The Gabba.
Every morning at first light, a mob of kangaroos and wallabies meet on the shores of Cape Hillsborough with just one thing in mind: the need to choose between a frond of seaweed or a mangrove pod for breakfast.
The visit to Cape Hillsborough is part of a 10-day tour that is taking the AFL Premiership Cup Trophy through Queensland ahead of the historic grand final in Brisbane on October 24.
Cape Hillsborough is 45km north of Mackay on the Great Barrier Reef.
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