Updated ,first published
The NFLโs inaugural regular-season clash in Melbourne has been hailed a huge success, with Premier Ben Carroll spruiking a financial windfall for the state and San Francisco 49ers superstar Brock Purdy declaring he wants to return.
The 49ers and Los Angeles Rams put on a show before a sold-out crowd of 100,021 at the MCG on Friday, Purdy inspiring his famous franchise to a 27-7 win to open their 2026-27 campaign.
โMelbourne turned it on today for the world. Sydney or Brisbane could never do this,โ Carroll said as the last of those fans filed out of the MCG on Friday afternoon.
โAnd while the 49ers brought it home today, the real winner is Victoria with upwards of $300 million flowing into the state.โ
The Victorian government spent between $10 million and $15 million to secure Fridayโs game, plus two more over the next three years.
Carroll โ who like Opposition Leader Jess Wilson was among the VIPs at the game โ put the heat on Visit Victoria and the NFL to fixture one of those games next season, despite the threat of a clash with week two of the AFL finals.
โ[The] sun is out and our hotels, pubs, restaurants and shops will be packed all weekend,โ the premier said.
โI couldnโt more proud to call Melbourne home on a day like today. I know weโll see the Americans back in town next year.โ
The victory also justified the 49ersโ decision to arrive a week early and acclimatise, unlike the Rams, who opted to land barely more than 28 hours before game time in a โfly in, fly outโ mission.
Where the Rams, including veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, appeared lethargic, the 49ers improved as the game progressed, Purdy dominant with his passing in finishing 25-of-34 for 205 yards and three scores.
โIt was awesome. I felt the energy that the Australians have out here was really cool. They are passionate about sports. I know we have heard that from a lot of people, but being out there, looking around, I felt this was really cool, pretty special,โ Purdy said.
โThey [the crowd] had their different chants with songs, they had fun with it.
โYeah, it was nice that this was the first game of the year for us, coming off camp, coming out here a week early and being able to play. Obviously, when we are in season, and going through the grind of it, travel becomes a thing. But our overall experience here was amazing, and we would like to come back and play before the people of Australia.โ
While this was listed as a Ramsโ home game because they have international marketing rights in Australia, the iconic 49ers had the majority of support from a heaving crowd which lapped up the loud music and overall flashy show the NFL does best.
Star 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey compared the match to playing at Leviโs Stadium in San Francisco.
โIt felt like a home game. Australian fans are incredible. The songs during the game. It was incredible,โ he said.
โTo see just how many people supported the game in this country was special. The energy was really high, and we appreciate everybody who showed up.โ
Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers coach, proclaimed the day a success, describing the MCG as โgladiator-ishโ. But he stopped short of declaring he wanted to return, pointing out his team was not given a bye next weekend.
โI like 17 home games in San Francisco. No, nothing against Australia. I just donโt like to travel,โ he said.
Shanahan, however, maintains the โwhole world should knowโ about the NFL.
โYou guys know I wasnโt excited at first, but thatโs just because you only think about your team. But, after going through this, knowing we were coming down here โฆ itโs been an awesome experience.โ
The final check point to determine the success of the historic clash wonโt be known until the teams arrive home at the weekend, but Fridayโs event left Australian fans craving more.
A week of promotion by the goliath that is the NFL, which all but bumped the AFL finals series into the shadows in Melbourne, delivered on and off the field, the excited masses swaying in the final quarter to Neil Diamondโs classic Sweet Caroline.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wasnโt surprised by the huge turnout, telling Netflixโs broadcast that heโs โnever met a culture that loves sports more than thisโ.
โWe always had a high expectation that this would be successful. This exceeded it in every way,โ Goodell said.
โThink about this: Weโre on Friday at 10.30 in the morning and 100,000 people are going to be in a stadium watching an NFL game. That speaks volumes about the passion of these fans.โ
He also told Seven: โI think this is going to open doors to more games, not just here, but in other markets.โ
An NFL Australia spokeswoman said an economic and broadcast audit of how successful the week was would be released, possibly next week.
The Rams did produce the historic first touchdown minutes into the second quarter when running back Kyren Williams crouched low behind his offensive line and burst through to score. Williams pointed to the heavens, and quarterback Matthew Stafford celebrated, too. But from there, the 49ers largely reigned supreme.
The 49ers responded when Purdy delivered a breathtaking 39-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson in the end zone, ensuring a 10-7 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Purdy was again busy in the opening minutes of the third term when he found his new receiver Mike Evans, who wrestled his arms free and took a great catch at the back of the end zone, extending the 49ers to a 17-7 advantage.
The Rams were denied a touchdown on their goal-line, at fourth and down. The decision was reviewed, but upheld.
The final term belonged to the 49ers, Purdy again at his best when he dished to wide receiver Deebo Samuel Snr for a 15-yard touchdown which took the team with the famous red colours to a 24-7 lead.
While the 49ers, also expected to challenge for the Super Bowl, tasted victory, this contest provided all the traits the sport is known for.
There were the traditional over-sized celebrations, one a โput-to-sleepโ performance when the Rams intercepted a Purdy missile from midfield, ending the play. A clutch of Rams immediately dashed to the end zone and adopted the sleeping pose in the end zone.
There were thunderous hits, none better than when McCaffrey took a shoulder to the sternum immediately after receiving a pass.
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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.
Roy Ward is a sports writer, live blogger and breaking news journalist. He’s been writing for The Age since 2010.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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