It was the night the MCG – and Melbourne’s prized winter sport, Australian rules – effectively played second fiddle to, yep, the world game.
With the nation’s women’s soccer team the Matildas engaged in a sudden-death and edge-of-your-seat World Cup quarter-final thriller against France in Brisbane, it made for some unprecedented scenes at the ’G.
Every heart beats true: Demons supporters bookend a Matildas fan on a historic day at the MCG.Credit: Getty Images
Footy fans decked out in Carlton’s navy blue and Melbourne’s red and blue colours had a foot in another camp as the nation, and sports fans of all persuasions, threw their full sport behind the Matildas and their triumphant progression to the World Cup semis for the first time.
As planned and detailed beforehand, the round-ball action from Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium was shown on the MCG’s big screens until the end of regulation time – after the normal 90 minutes plus stoppage time.
Fans flocked to the MCG’s bars to keep watching the Matildas after play was shut off on the big screens.Credit: Getty Images
But that meant, with the World Cup score locked at 0-0, and with extra time and that extraordinary penalty shootout still to come, MCG-goers instead either turned to their phones for streaming coverage or, more often was the case, watched the action from the many and varied bars at the ’G with hundreds of other fans drawn in by the moment.
When the Matildas footage was whisked from the big screen not long after 7pm when the Demons and Blues entered the arena to warm up, the move was met by boos from the terraces.
The public service message from the Melbourne Cricket Club was as follows: “To continue watching the Matildas, please switch to your personal streaming device, or available screens throughout the stadium.”
This was a unique night, when even the AFL and all of its financial might understood it could not chill the groundswell this World Cup had become.
Rather than attempt to fight an unwinnable battle, the AFL made the smart move, and embraced the best of both worlds by having the Matildas v France clash shown on the MCG scoreboard before the Blues and Demons engaged in battle.
The AFL, in diplomatic mode but also wary of other sports, basked in the moment.
“I think it’s an appropriate thing to do. It feels everyone is behind them, and it’s great to see women’s sport, frankly, front and square,” AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan earlier told 3AW.
“It’s a significant thing to have a women’s team doing so well and capturing everyone’s attention.”
That attention was also directed at television sets around the venue, after hundreds of supporters found their seats as soon as doors opened at 4.30pm.
Melbourne’s fickle weather meant this wasn’t the greatest of nights to be in the outer, particularly when it was still three hours before the opening AFL bounce.
But the anticipation was palpable, and there were groans of frustration when the Matildas almost scored from a corner at the 23rd minute.
When goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold made a diving save at the 27-minute mark, the relief among the growing crowd was obvious. Arnold was again called into action soon after, and the appreciative Melbourne crowd again gave thanks.
A 0-0 first half meant high emotions remained on edge, whether that be for those sitting under cover, those stuck more in the elements, or those having an early pie and sauce. On this night, Matildas scarves were also used to reserve seats.
Max Gawn and another Melbourne player took in the Matildas action pre-match.Credit: AFL Photos
When superstar Sam Kerr famously emerged from the bench and almost had a direct hand in a stunning goal early in the second half, the sense of excitement all these miles away was as great as it was at Suncorp Stadium. As the Australians peppered the goals, the frustration built for those on and off the pitch.
After a gut-wrenching penalty shootout, the Matildas won 7-6.
When the Blues and Demons made their way onto the field – the opening bounce was delayed by five minutes to accommodate the Matildas, and Seven, the host free-to-air broadcaster of this event, and the AFL – it was clear this was a night that had united Australians, including even the fiercest of rival sporting codes.
It all made for a memorable night for the nation. But when someone asks you down the track, where were you when Cortnee Vine scored that penalty for the nation, some will simply say, “Well, I was at the ’G.”
Keep up to date with all the Matildas’ action at the Women’s World Cup. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
