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If you come to Melbourne between late March & late September you really have to come see a "footy" game at the "G" - the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Yeah I know it says "Cricket" Ground not "Footy" Ground, but cricket is for Summer & footy is for Autumn through Winter.
And, "footy" in this case refers to Australian Rules football not Soccer (what many refer to as the only football) or Rugby League or Rugby Union in the northern states.
I've been to 3 AFL footy games at the "G" this year & frankly the first one was pretty ordinary for two reasons.
Firstly my team, the Sydney Swans lost to the Richmond Tigers & secondly the atmosphere at the ground was pretty ordinary with a smallish crowd not even half filling what is an 80 000 (plus) capacity ground. That was at the start of July.
Late August I attended the Swans v Hawthorn Hawks match which we not only one, but had a bigger crowd with a lot better atmosphere.
BUT!!!! The biggie was the last weekend in September when my team the Sydney Swans played the West Coast Eagles (from Perth) in the AFL Grand Final & after a dour, but incredibly exciting struggle over the 4 quarters, the Swannies got up by a mere 4 points! All this as part of a crowd of a bit over 90 000 people, many of whom were wearing the Red & White of the Sydney/South Melbourne Swans!
Now, if you find that you'll be in Melbourne for the last weekend in September then you will have to get yourself some tickets organised WELL IN ADVANCE! And the master of understatement is striking once again. Yes I mean months in advance & there are packages available from travel agents. I would suggest having a look at www.afl.com.au & having a look at their AFL Travel link.
Now if you are going to be here at another time of the footy season I suggest you check with the locals & see what games are worthwhile going to see at either the MCG or the Telstra Dome. The Swans play the Essondon Bombers in the opening round of the 2006 season at the Telstra Dome on the Saturday night of April 1.
So get some colours to support a team. If it's cool a scarf or if it's hot & sunny a cap & get out and do some cheering! Leave a Comment Theme: Sports WatchingAddress: You can't miss it!Directions: A mere 15 minute walk from the city along Wellington Parade then cross one of the pedestrian bridges after 10 mins or so walking & follow the crowd. You can catch a train from Flinders St Staiion & get off at Jollimont Station, just one stop later.Website: http://www.mcg.org.au/default.asp?pg=football
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If you are lucky enough to catch an International Rugby Test match here in Melbourne, it will most likely be played at Telstra Dome.
Australia won 69-21, although it was not really a fair match. The Wallabies were bigger, stronger and faster than Italy at every position.
It was however a great excuse to take some photos and drink some Carlton Draught. Leave a Comment
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One of the most important things to do when you are in Melbourne is to enjoy a Victoria Born sport, Australian Rules Football. This used to be the VFL, or Victorian Football League, but it has recently incorporated the whole country and therefore needed to change its name.
Footy is a great game to watch, as the action is pretty continous, and the concept is simple! Kick the ball through the posts, while your opponents try to knock your head off!
Just some warm clothes and a great attitude! Leave a Comment Theme: Sports WatchingAddress: Melbourne Cricket Ground or Telstra DomeWebsite: http://afl.com.au/
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At 2:50pm on the first Tuesday in November, the whole country tunes in.
People that have no interest in horse racing have a bet.Belive me its true ( Speaking for myself) School children are allowed home early to watch it on TV.
The entire state of Victoria has a holiday. Flemington, where the race is held, is a heaving glut of champagne, funny hats, colourful dresses, jockeys, punters, beautiful people, ugly people, normal looking people and those who are sort of non-descript – aka everybody.
At least 150,000 people get to the track, and the same happens at every suburban and metropolitan race-track in the whole country.
Australians go mad for ‘The Cup’, everyone becomes an expert and sweepstakes are held in offices, pubs, clubs, classrooms and parliament houses around the country. Leave a Comment Address: Flemington, Victoria
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Aussies are crazy about their football.. "Aussie Rules Football".
In fact Aussies are crazy about sport in general.. Football in winter, and cricket in summer.
Ohh, and there are lots of other sports in between.
I have never really been crazy about sport myself, but do have a favorite team.... The Pies.. (Collingwood)
Collingwood played its first game as a full-fledged member of the VFA on May 7, 1892 against Carlton and lost by two goals to three.
It was the beginning of one of Australian sport's longest running, and strongest, rivalries, which is still very much alive today.
The Magpies were the youngest of the clubs that formed the Victorian Football League in 1897, but have made a huge impact on the competition and the game in general.
Today... Still the best team! Leave a Comment Theme: Sports Watching
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I specifically went to Melbourne to see the Grand Prix, overall it was a pretty good event. Nothing beats actually being there next to the track where the cars are racing, you just can't really connect the same way watching it through the TV.
In my opinion the Melbourne Grand Prix as an event wasn't as good as it's predecessor the Adelaide Grand Prix, the biggest difference being no after-race concert. The after-race entertainment consists of being able to walk along the track and check out pit lane through the wire fences. Also there aren't many parts of the track where the cars go slow. Albert Park is a picturesque setting though, with it's lake, palm trees and green grass.
A General Admission ticket on race day was $95, for the money it's probably better to invest in a grandstand ticket for around $350 which covers all four days and guarantees a decent view.
I recommend getting to the track at least three hours before the race starts. I got there an hour before and all the good spots I came across were jam-packed. If possible, find out from someone in the know where the best areas are.
If played right the Grand Prix can be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Ear plugs, hat, beverage, sunglasses, emergency poncho (foldable plastic raincoat), and lightweight chair if going early. Leave a Comment Theme: Sports WatchingAddress: Albert ParkDirections: Free Grand Prix trams set off from the designated parking areas around the city and from Flinders and Spencer street stations.Website: www.grandprix.com.au
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With the MCG, the tennis courts and the formula one circuit, there is always something going on sporting wise in this city.
You can always try your hand at golf just outside the city or take a boat out for sailing, go swimming with dolphins or any other watersports you can think of. Surfshire is only a short drive out to the west...
Swimming and watersports gear must be a must?! Leave a Comment Theme: Sports Watching
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Almost year round, you can enjoy St. Kilda Beach is a great place to take a walk or ride a bike. This beach sees over 70,000 visitors a year, but even in the wintertime there are plenty of people hiking, biking, and rollerblading!
They have separated the bike trails from the walking trails, so you do not even have to keep one eye peeled!
After that, you can head onto the pier and enjoy a walk for some spectacular views of the city!
Walking shoes, bike, or blades! Leave a Comment
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Once again I was able to attend a Swans victory. This time I had to go to Melbourne and the Telstra Dome to do it. Leave a Comment Theme: Sports Watching
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If you are feeling athletic when visit Melbourne, one of the best places to get a little exercise is on the banks of the Yarra River. Winding all the way from the Docklands past the middle of the CBD and out into the suburbs, the Yarra is a long windy path.
There are some great views of the city to make sure you remember your camera when you are talking the walk, run, or bicycle.
This is also a great place to have a barbecue and watch the rest of the hard working Australian workout fanatics. Leave a Comment Theme: Hiking
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333 Exhibition Street, Melbourne - Rydges
186 Exhibition St., Melbourne - The Albany South Yarra (Cnr Toorak Rd and Millswyn St South Yarra.)
Corner Toorak Road & Millswyn Street South Yarra, Melbourne - Quest St Kilda Bayside Melbourne
1 Eildon Road (enter off Acland Street), Melbourne - Easystay Carlisle St. Apartments
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