In 2015, the team had already celebrated victory in front of more than 93,000 at the MCG on Sunday night after romping to victory. Just a few thousand people descended on Federation Square to greet the party-worn champions the morning after.

Or should that be party Warne? Much was made of a series of televised questions asked by bogan-demigod Shane Warne of players in post-match interviews at the MCG after the final.

Alcohol was again a common theme  – on Monday the players made their way down from Federation Square's rooftop bar to the stage to be presented to the crowd.

Captain Michael Clarke's understudy George Bailey showed good grace by wearing the orange sub's vest that he donned for the majority of the tournament. That there was a VB logo on the front of the vest was unintentionally telling.

Asked how he was feeling by MC Pete Lazer, Clarke replied "a little hungover."

The skipper said much of the team felt the same way, and the other players backed up Clarke's story.

"I think we've got every right to celebrate as long and as hard as we want," batsman Aaron Finch said after the presentations.

"A lot of effort goes into winning a World Cup."

As a consequence he said, the celebrations "could go for a while".

Because it is school holidays, the Monday ceremony was always going to be a family event. The square was full of children and parents waving miniature Australian flags, waiting for a glimpse of the team and the cup. And maybe hoping for an autograph too.

Clare from Yarraville brought along son Sam, 7, a keen backyard cricketer. He had watched all of Australia's games on TV, and favours Steve Smith, he said. Like Smith, Sam is a right-handed batsman.

Then there was Nirmal Tej Singh from Cranbourne, who had six-year-old daughter Tanish Jot Kaur on his shoulders. Mr Singh put it succinctly: "The World Cup is special."

Champion fast bowler Mitchell Johnson was there when Australia won the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. He was basking in another incredible 24 hours.

"It's surreal at the moment," he said. "You get sort of flashbacks of the night.

"We were really really stoked with how we walked around the ground and the supporters just stayed."

Father and son combo Brandon and Peter had made their way down from Queensland for the final. It was a decision made on a whim after Australia won their semi-final, and the pair forked out $300 each for the privilege.

Brandon said it was a "once in a lifetime experience".

"I was going to watch every ball on TV and decided, 'why not?' "