Grand Final walloping pushes punters to take regular toilet breaks; water analysis shows

Melburnians were not glued to their seat during this year’s AFL Grand Final, taking toilet breaks throughout the game rather than holding on for the final siren, according to Melbourne Water’s water usage analysis, with only a 17.2% increase in water usage after the final siren. 

Water usage experts at Melbourne Water closely monitor water consumption patterns during big sporting matches to map the ‘flush factor’, describing the percentage increase in water use from mass toilet flushings. 

During the AFL Grand Final, water usage increases at the end of each quarter with a large spike after the game ends. 

Further analysis shows that the closer the score at the end of the game, the more significant the flush factor, with up to 100% jump in water usage at the final siren during very close games. 

Brisbane Lions’ crushing win over the Sydney Swans, with a 60-point winning margin, saw the 2024 AFL Grand Final ranked one of the lowest flush factors in the 18-year history of flush factor water data analysis. 

“Once again, the ‘flush factor’ has been a reliable predictor of the excitement of the AFL Grand Final, with punters seemingly content to miss some of the action to take a toilet break,” said Mr White. 

This year’s flush factor was 17.2%, the fifth lowest flush factor recorded during a Grand Final since 2008.   

"Melbourne Water manages every aspect of the water cycle, from supplying drinking water to treating sewage and managing major drainage. The flush factor trend illustrates how deeply intertwined water is with our daily lives, even to the point that it reflects aspects of our sporting culture,” said Mr White.