It was a massive job, but the MCG team successfully prepared the stadium for AFL action on Thursday April 2 - just four days after the ICC Cricket World Cup Final was played on the same surface.
After Australia had finished a celebratory lap of honour after the World Cup Final on Sunday March 29, more than 200 staff and contractors got to work on transforming the venue for the Carlton-Richmond AFL clash.
Among the items that were removed before midnight on Sunday March 29 included drummer platforms, pyrotechnics, pitch mats, boundary ropes, food vans from the concourse and Spidercam.
The sightscreens and sightscreen shade cloths disappeared, as did temporary LED signage that made way for the permanent installation of the stadium's LED technology.
All seven remaining cricket pitches were taken from the MCG by Tuesday morning, allowing the arenas team two days to bring in turf to fill the centre square and let it bed down before absorbing AFL action.
The goalposts were installed, interchange benches restored, changerooms were refitted with facilities for AFL players and all broadcast compounds reinstated for the AFL host broadcaster.
Outside the stadium, the Cricket World Cup accreditation centre was removed, as were all merchandise containers used during the World Cup. Inside, rooms used as media facilities during the World Cup were returned to corporate hospitality spaces.
All Cricket World Cup signage and branding on entry gates, catering outlets and advertising hoardings was removed and replaced, along with any seating that was removed for Cricket World Cup purposes.
Finally, the logos and lines were painted on the MCG turf and after a whirlwind few days, it was all systems go as 83,493 turned up at spiritual home of football to kick off another AFL season.