footy game at the g

translation:
footy = aussie rules football
the g = the mcg = the melbourne cricket ground

The IFSA-Butler program took us all to see a Footy game. I assumed that we would have back-of-the-back group seats... but I was quite mistaken. We had amazing seats— we were in the first four rows (behind the first six that are blocked off for Footy games because they are where the majority of the balls land) almost directly behind the goal posts! And thus, we were right next to the section of hard-core Carlton fans (the game was Carlton vs. Essendon... we mostly went for Carlton which is a suburb of Melbourne right near Uni):


Aussie rules football is, undoubtedly, the essence of Australian sport. And, our general sentiment was, as Carly remarked early on in the game: "this is way better than any game in the US!" Footy lies somewhere between American football and rugby... but has its whole own set of rules, to be sure. Australians just laugh at American football players: "they think they're so tough... etc. etc.... but they're entirely covered in padding from head to toe." Footy is quite the opposite. There are no helmets. There are no pads. There are just jerseys and short shorts. Here's a picture for you:


There is carnage in this sport. And it is quite the event to watch. I was chatting with a friend and I didn't realize the game had just started when my attention was drawn to the field... a fight had broken out between the players! Wait. No no. They had just started playing. You would think the distinction would be clear... but when the ball is nowhere in sight and players are ripping each other’s clothes off... well what would *you* assume?

And then... a personal highlight: at half time they set up a whole bunch of mini goal posts and little kid footy teams come out and play on the field! Some of the kids couldn't have been older than five and they were absolutely adorable. Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable and uniquely Australian experience.

And lastly, here's a cute picture of Lily (Mount Holyoke) and I at the game... just cuz: