Go Dees!

MELBOURNE DEMONS 118 v 91 RICHMOND TIGERS

Booyah!

We did it! We finally went to a real, bona fide AFL (Australian Football League) game. I say "finally" as if this weren't something we'd never even heard of a year ago - which we hadn't - but it has become such a gigantic part of our lives since March that it seems amazing it's taken us this many weeks to get to a game. First of all, it's cheap to attend. Like, awesome-that-a-professional-sport-could-be-this-cheap cheap. Secondly, we didn't even have to pay for the tickets - we got four free ones when we signed Abe up for a season of Auskick. They've just been waiting around for us to get our junk together and pick a game. Thirdly, the season is long - first game of the season was played on March 24th and the Grand Final (akin to the Superbowl) will be played on October 1st. I think that rivals baseball, except it is such a far more exciting game.

First train ride for everyone except Ben. Check out the black and yellow hat on that dude - someone want to make me one? In red and blue, of course.

In front of the "The G", a true Australian landmark. Seats just over 100, 000 (used to seat more), but there were only 61,900 on hand that day. It's Melbourne's home field, and Richmond's as well - AFL dynamics are so interesting like that, but that post will have to wait for another day.

Cutest little devils you ever did see. Those mascots were freaky, though.

Our seats, while high up, were pretty darn good. We could see all of the action. I'd like to sit lower next time, though. Oh yes, there WILL be a next time.

And now, for your viewing pleasure and a little footy education:

Pregame

(Please ignore the horrible - and incorrect - singing by the camerawoman.)

Bounce (aka "kickoff")

(Please ignore the sounds of the camerawoman being assaulted by her three-year-old lapdog.)

It turned out to be an absolutely charmed day. The weather was perfect (aside from wind and the sun in our eyes the entire game), we got seats on the train there and back, Abe won four passes to the National Sports Museum by singing the first line of the Demons' song ("It's a Grand Old Flag". Sound familiar?), nobody got lost or hurt, and we were home by 6 o'clock. The only thing that really disappointed was the camera battery dying halfway through the game. Thanks to our friends, the Grays, for their help in navigating the waters of our first footy game and putting up with a row full of screaming Melbourne fans in front of them (us) while their beloved Tigers took the beating. Perhaps better luck at the rematch on August 21st..?

I sure hope not.