- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Many of you will read the above title and think “what is this author saying?” It’s OK guys, I’ll explain it to you.
Sitting inside Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, an amazing sensation came over me. Whilst it took 80 minutes to happen, the “sensation” bit me quicker than you could say “Archie Thompson ACL Joint”.
The sensation, as one may put it, was the absolute roar and thunder of the crowd inside the stadium willing (mainly) Melbourne on to a second goal during normal time.
Now I’ve been to a few football matches overseas in my time but, for sheer intensity and willpower, nothing matched that magical 10 minutes inside Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. The stadium heaved with noise and colour, it was a unique and special experience to be a part of.
The problem with Australian grand finals, of any code, is the large element of “bandwagon” support they receive. Whilst many in the stadium may not be Victory home-game devotees, let me tell you that, after the 80 minute mark when the home team scored, they found their voice and enthusiasm for the game.
Australian soccer is still in its early redevelopment stages. Whilst triumphs like Sydney’s Premiership/Championship double are good, the importance of developing a fan culture, and unique Australian “football game day atmosphere”, cannot be ignored.
In summary, whilst Sydney won the official trophy on offer on Saturday night, I can’t help but think that Melbourne may have won the long term “war” of being the key developer and innovator of football game day culture in Australia.
I’m sure the other 44,595 spectators in the crowd, besides yours truly, would find it hard to argue with that.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.