AFL public holiday grand success: Vic govt

The Victorian government is confident it's kicked a goal by introducing an AFL public holiday after tens of thousands of fans took part in Melbourne's annual grand final parade.

Up to 150,000 people converged on the city to march towards the MCG on Friday, defying expectations of a drop in crowd numbers and comments by some - including the prime minister - that the public holiday would create a ghost town.

"This is the biggest grand final parade, the biggest celebration of footy and families in our city that we've ever seen," Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters after the parade.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has called the AFL grand final public holiday "an indulgence" and casual workers and small businesses were losing income on what would normally be a profitable Friday.

"Spare a thought for the small businesses around Victoria who have been forced to open, who are paying a hell of a lot more simply to open," he said.

"Spare a thought for the 250,000 casual workers who won't get a day's pay."

Mr Guy said regional centres and outer suburbs are also deserted.

While organisers are yet to confirm crowd figures, it was evident that thousands of people were making the most of a sunny spring day outdoors as temperatures reached 28C.

"Some people said it wouldn't work, some people were a little sceptical, some people have been talking about 'ghost towns' today - well that's the just nonsense," Mr Andrews said.

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lamented the lack of excitement on the streets as he prepared to meet with the AFL Advisory Council.

"Very peaceful trip on no 11 tram - eerily quiet on a public holiday! Miss the people & excitement of grand final eve," Mr Turnbull tweeted on Friday morning.

Mr Andrews says the PM "might have course to perhaps revise his comments".

"With the greatest of respect to the new PM I don't think that he necessarily knows and understands Melbourne as well as others might," he said.

Mr Turnbull wasn't the only critic - in the lead-up to the holiday many industry groups criticised the day off for costing the state $25 million an hour even though the premier said it was worth it.

But bars, restaurants and pubs across regional Victoria have reported experiencing increased clientele, the premier says.

Many families in Melbourne's outer suburbs were also more likely to come into the city for the parade because they didn't have to work.

"Right across Victoria people are spending time with their kids and families and I reckon that's pretty important," Mr Andrews said.

"I think footy and families are the winner today and our great game couldn't be in a stronger position."

This year's parade route was changed for the first time in 38 years, starting in Spring Street and ending at Yarra Park, next to the MCG.

In previous years, it took place in the CBD, allowing office workers to watch it during their lunch breaks.

Those workers seem to have been replaced by a large contingent of West Coast Eagles fans - up to 30,000, according to WA Premier Colin Barnett - who have crossed the Nullarbor to support their team's bid for victory over Hawthorn.