Morris: How Tom Hanks ended up at Engie Stadium

One of the most surprising events across Opening Round occurred off the field, with Hollywood A-lister Tom Hanks spotted in attendance at Engie Stadium as the Giants claimed victory over Hawthorn.

But how did this come about?

Despite Sunday's clash at the MCG, the build-up to Thursday night's season opener and Saturday night's blockbuster hosted by the reigning premiers, Hanks, the voice of Woody from Toy Story and the lead in several iconic films including Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Big and Catch Me If You Can, was one of 16,157 at Engie Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Incredibly, Hanks - a multi-time Oscar Award winner - requested to attend the Giants' season opener, and SEN's Tom Morris has all the details as to how it all played out.

"So it may surprise many of our Locked In listeners... But Tom Hanks is actually a fan of footy," Morris told SEN's Locked In.

"In the 90s he'd watch it on ESPN, and was particularly taken by the long, white science lab coats that goal umpires wore back then.

"Anyway, Hanks is currently filming a movie on the East Coast of Australia. He attended Bad Bunny last week at Engie Stadium and while he was there, he was told there would be an AFL game on the following Saturday.

"His people reached out to Stadium staff who managed to get him tickets and corporate hospitality.

"Senior AFL staff, sensing an opportunity to meet one of Hollywood's greatest ever actors, all had good chats to him.

"Laura Kane spoke to him, Commissioner and ex-Giant Matt De Boer met him, GWS CEO Dave Matthews had a great conversation with him, as did AFL boss Andrew Dillon.

"I'm told Hanks was keen to learn more about the sport... the origins of it, the average career span, and he had many other historical questions. Hanks also said he used to play a game similar to AFL at high school, where they'd drop the ball in the middle of a field and two teams would run at it and tackle each other and kick it around.

"EGM of Media at GWS Emma German played an important link role too... She knew some of his people from her background in media and comms.

"But it was Hanks' love for goal umpires that shone the most. For each of the first 8 goals, he did his own impersonation of a goal - which you may have seen on the coverage - and he particularly enjoyed Clayton Oliver's goal that he kicked.

"All in all, everyone who met him left with only positive things to say about Hanks!

"And if footy wasn't enough, Hanks was also recently spotted at a cricket shop! Greg Chappell Cricket Centre.

"The end!"

Morris returns with Story Time on Locked In with Kane Cornes every Tuesday from 5pm!