Welcome to my hometown guys. I was at the MCG with 117,000 crazed fans watching an Essendon Carlton game back in the sixties. Didn't see much because my frugal dad purchased standing room tickets and as a kid, I could only see bums. LOL. My father regularly watched Bradman play there. Enjoy your Aussie holiday and go Swanies! (for you Rob) Cheers.
And I might add, imagine being in the stadium with 100,000 people who are deathly silent. I have; on six occasions, and it is special. ANZAC day is bigger than the GF.
@@archcollie5708 OMG...the silence is the weirdest feeling. I remember when Teddy Whitten died. The minute silence was the quietest and most eerie I have ever experienced.
Glad you both enjoyed the tour. Actually, the lady is correct (although she got the margin wrong); Australia beat England by 45 runs in both the first test match in 1877 and the Centenary Test in 1977, both of which were at the G.
@@CharlieandRob Checked to see if it was & must be as it's in Encyclopedia Britanica. Am rather ashamed I didn't know that, considering sometimes host heritage walks on a social walks group and one of the walks goes through Jolimont & East Melbourne. Been to the MCG Museum twice but haven't done the tour. Been all around the stands & on the ground it on a MCG OPen Day though. DJ'd in 2 different function rooms also Have a great arvo watching the Swans
@@CharlieandRob It's pretty close.... Ashes series wins.... AUS: 34 ENG: 32 Imagine that place packed for a Boxing Day ashes test? The poms must be crapping bricks 😂
I remember taking this tour in 2011 for high school, even as someone who isn't much into sport, seeing the history is absolutely great. Glad it's a museum not just a sporting ground. It's even been used for some big name concerts, as well as Olympics
The biggish crowd at the G was the 1970 grand final between Carlton and Collingwood,. Just as the gates closed at 1:30 pm there were 50,000 people waiting to get in. All of the were turned away because there were already 121,694 people jammed packed into the G. I was only 12 when I saw the game on telly here in Tasmania where I live and what I remember is at 3/4 time Carlton was down by 44 points and came up and won the game by 10 points at a full time ....Pete from Tas... 🍎
The MCG is a place I will never forget being at, though my visits there opened my eyes to what I was truly seeing. Coming from the middle of the US, where the state religion is college gridiron, I thought our stadiums were big. Watching the AFL back in 1994 on TV barely through a 1-hour highlights show was one thing... but actually going there was another. Call me a bit green, but I didn't realize that my first time there was round 13, 1995, which was the State of Origin round, that was played during what would now be the Bye week - and EJ Whitten's last public appearance. I remember seeing it all, but didn't take in the magnitude of what I was seeing, since it was my first time. Now that I know who he is, I'm never going to forget it, and can be glad to say "I was there". Second time was the following week, which was Carlton v. Richmond. A good 95000 people were there. When you see that ground packed, and hear the roar of the crowd or the thousands shouting "Ball!!" when someone is caught holding the ball.. unforgettable. The SCG.. I remember that place as much as the MCG. because of how much smaller the ground is, having 35000 people at the SCG is like having 95000 at the MCG... and imagine being there in 1996, at that Prelim... and Plugger's Point: when Tony Lockett kicked that behind to send Sydney into their first Grand Final quite possibly since they last won the flag in 1933 at that time. Hope you had fun at that one, especially since the last time the SCG hosted a prelim was that one in 1996, where they won by a point! Finally, hope you get the chance while you're in Melbourne to get that meet and greet with Razor Ray Chamberlain! that would be phenomenal!
Hi Charlie and Rob the MCG is truly a magnificent ground, glad you enjoyed the tour. Back in 1959 preacher Billy Graham come to the MCG 130,000 watched him speak, biggest crowd for a sporting event was the 1970 VFL Grand Final 121,696 watched Carlton defeat Collingwood that game is considered one of the best Grand Finals ever.
Around the early 2000's I was doing my electrical apprenticeship for BHP and the company sent the apprentices in my year on a tour of the G's electrical services culminating with a trip up the light towers. The view from up there was fucking scary!
Yes, there are always the ones in the tours that ask so many questions especially when the tour guide stated it 2 seconds ago, 😅🤦🏼♀️. Tour guides have to be so patient.
Hope you are having a great time here in Australia! The MCG is a truly epic place!!Nothing like a day out for a game of footy at the MCG. We went to the Guns and Roses concert in 2017 there as well and being in a crowd of about 80,000 people all singing along to the songs was a stunning experience! Enjoy the trip :)
Glad you enjoyed it. One of the things about sitting closer to the action that you wouldn't appreciate if you were sitting up higher is the sound. Specifically the sound of the impacts ......it's quite frightening and visceral. Having worked at four AFL clubs and sat on the bench for every game, that's the thing that stands out for me......something you'd get in either of the rugby codes but not so much in the world game.
Me and my dad went to a Dreamtime game a few years back and had literal front row seats. It was a miserable rainy night but we were right there in front of a few big marking packs and some crunching tackles. Having stood on the boundary line and been a water runner at heaps of grassroots games you’d think the hits would still be fundamentally the same, after all, it’s all still human bodies crashing into each other… but no, the AFL boys seriously hit each other like trucks and you can really feel it when it’s happening right in front of you
This right here. I have regular season seats at Optus stadium. My seats are in row 9 and we can still hear what these guys' poor bodies go through. Its pretty full on.
The 1977 Centenary Test did have the same winning margin as the first. I was at the Centenary test. The MCG had a larger capacity in the 1960s and 1970s because there were standing areas without seats in parts of the stadium and there were not the corporate boxes there are now. The old Northern stand was know as the Olympic stand as it was built for the 1956 Olympics which were held at the ground.
Have done this tour a few times when family have come over from England but still interesting!. Great stadium to watch a game, it's hard to get a bad seat. MIddle tier is my favourite for watching a game.
Thanks for the tour Charlie & Rob, what a game yesterday. Atmosphere looked amazing at the SCG. Grand Final at the G is going to be an experience you guys will never forget.
As the other comments have said the final result in both the first ever test match and then 1977 Centenary Test was identical - I remember it! It's a very famous match and result in Test match history. 100 years go by and the results were exactly the same!
Wow, thanks for that Rob and Charlie. Not being a "footy" person, I've never been to the MCG, but I do always watch the Grand Final, especially if the Tiges are in it. I did find it really interesting and informative, and I too was fascinated to see how well you could see everything from way up in the top back stands. I know lots of people who have been there and they all say it is such an exciting place to watch a match whether you're into footy or not...all that adrenaline sparking about! I enjoyed seeing Charlie's little intermission piece to camera, and I hope she gets to try all the famous cake shops there, and whatever other touristy things she wants to see...and not become a "Footy Widow" Rob!!! ha! ;) Loving following what you guys are doing over there on the Mainland from here in Hobart...I am living vicariously through you 😁
The National Sports Museum at the MCG has a quite large areas with Olympic items & history (re many not just Melb's), & tennis items & history. As it's often referred to as the MCG museum many, if haven't been, tend to think it's just footy & cricket. Can easily spend over an hour looking at other than those. Does help though (did for me) to go with someone who knows Aus footy well
Glad to see you loved the tour of the MCG. Lots of history behind it. If you get the chance and attend a sold out match the atmosphere is incredible. Especially when its over 90,000
My list of must-sees along a walking tour of Melbourne:- Flinders street station, National Gallery, St. Kilda Road, Shrine of remembrance, Observatory building, Royal Botanic Gardens, The Grotto, Sidney Myer music bowl, back through the Queen Victoria gardens, Federation square, St. Paul's Cathedral, CBD laneways and arcades (Block arcade, Degraves street), Bourke street mall, Melbourne Central & Shot tower, State Library reading room (esp. balconies), Queen Victoria market, through CBD to the river, Polly Woodside, Jeff shed, Crown Casino & Southbank, etc.
Great to see your tour of 'The G'. Yes it's huge arena with quite a history. Must check out the Optus Stadium and Adelaide Oval stadiums. Just over half the capacity but when you consider over $1.6B was spent on the Perth stadium, it has fair bit to see. The Adelaide Oval development is more a combination of the historic and modern design and cost over $550M which at the time was considered absurd. Funny you said the centenary Test results were not right but she was only out by 4 runs. It was 45 runs and Australia did win both games. The guide seemed to know an extraordinary amount so it's not surprising she might have got a minor detail wrong. Don't worry too much about some cricket fanatics. When you travel Rob, you're always going to have different experiences with different cultures. Don't let these things ruin your travel experience (you don't want to get tagged). It's all about the journey of traveling worldwide. Nowhere is perfect and there are always going to be challenges. Just focus on the positives of that journey and enjoy that aspect and experience. There's plenty of individuals like loud mouth Americans that more than 1 doesn't like but in saying that there's some heck of a lot that are damn nice and easy to chat with.
Watching on TV is one thing, but being there is the best ! To see what's going on behind play. To hear the crowd to actually hear the ball kicked. Your going to ❤ it. You may like to listen on radio Tripple M is fun, they'll tell you why a free was awarded etc. Enjoy tonight guys 😁
I enjoyed a tour there. The members who lead these tours are fantastic. They speak so quickly & walk very fast btn sights, it felt info overload. We also had one who kept asking Q’s. Our guide said less talk &more listening please, but it didn’t stop him. I also recommend this tour.
This is wonderful guys, thumbs up :) I have only been to melbourne once but never been to the mcg, so it was really nice to actually see it via your tour, thanks.
From memory there is one beige colour seat amongst a sea of blue seats, is the record-breaking six hit by Australian all-rounder Simon O’Donnell in a Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales. The maximum measured approximately 122 meters and the record stands unbroken even today, after 25 years. When I took my Kiwi mate to visit, we had so many beers before hand that when they took us onto the turf, we both sprinted to the centre circle as the tour guide shouted behind us.
Ahh the G. Was fortunate enough to be here a few times the day after a AFL Grand Final back when the grandstands are being demolished. Still an amazing place to be in even empty.
Interesting. Never been on this tour but actually been to the football and cricket at the ground probably over 100 times. I'll have to do the tour one day as I'd love to see what the area looked like before the oval was there. I went to the game last night and generally I like to see somewhere toward the centre view so can see up both ends and I look an elevated view so more often than not I sit up the top stand. As you said, if you at ground level and towards a pocket of one end it harder to see what going on up the other end. On the other hand when you up close you can sense the actual pace and physical bumps a lot more than up near the top. In Sydney it is a much smaller ground and you will see up a lot closer and distance from centre to goals is less distance. Sydney is more like a circle than oval. You see a lot more by being at the ground than you do on tv. On television you only see where the ball goals. At the ground you can see behind, in front, to the side and everything. Have fun today and C'mon the Swannies!!! Kill those Pies...
The thing i like the most about sitting up high in the stands is that sometimes you can see how the play is going to unfold before it actually happens.
Thank you so much for sharing your tour of the G. I've been there for so many big events; just love it, but never taken the tour. Very interesting, I must do it one day.
Glad you got to see it what ti you see it full and you be able to see the difference between Sydney and Melbourne stadiums as well there all different and optus in Perth is more modern again
I’ve been there to 9 Hawthorn premierships and 4 losing ones, 50+ AFL/VFL finals and a few Boxing Day tests. Was at the famous Underarm incident and saw DK Lillee’s 355th wicket. Probably been to 400+ AFL/VFL games as well
That is why the coaches boxes are elevated. The view is clearer slightly above ground level, tactically and for simply not having to see through perhaps 20 players in one area. While you can see from one end to the other, making out what is happening really requires use of the screens. Everything is quite small that far away. You can tell which team - sometimes which player - has the ball, etc, but detail is lost (at least for my eyes). That's true at ground level or from on high. They are very good views for a big stadium and playing surface. Let's face it the secret to good views in stadiums design goes back at least to the Romans.
That's a great tour, and looks like a few things there (on the tour) that weren't when I did it about 15 years ago. Hope you took a wander through the Sporting Hall of Fame which is usually included in the tour fee. So much history, and not just footy & cricket. Would be interested in your comparison to Wembley, which is a similar capacity (although The G probably has more people through the turnstiles each year).
Exactly how I felt the first time I went to the MCG. You hear that it's the biggest cricket ground and the capacity but when you get there it's quite a compact looking ground. Easy to see everything on the boundary as well.
That was my first impression as well. But, when it is shining at its best on game day, heaving with a sold out crowd, it definitely feels big. The SCG has just as much history, if not more with a couple of original stands left. I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED that you guys are going to a game, not just a game but a Preliminary Final. I truly hope it is even more exciting than you had imagined. 1/ Stay away from Collingwood supporters, they're feral...lol
Welcome to our home! Thanks for doing the tour - I've been meaning to do it for years. One of those great things only tourists bother to do. Booking my ticket for next weekend. Cheers.
The largest football crowd at the MCG was the 1971 VFL Grand Final, which was over 121,000. You can watch the full match on TH-cam. It's definitely worth watching, unless you're a Collingwood supporter. You will see how much the game has changed over the past 50 years, mostly for the worse.
Yep, I noticed the guy who constantly broke in and disrupted the Guide's script. I first visited the MCG for the Olympic Games in 1956. It actually housed more people then because the laws of the day allowed standing room. Today, everyone must be seated. I think the largest recorded crowd was 120,000. I also worked there for many years under bay 13, supplying 100 plus lolly boys. I think I was there for at least 6 grand finals, but I never saw the ground because we were so busy. Things are certainly different now as your video clearly indicates. Well done and lovely to watch.
That's hilarious......You know, I thought the same when I heard him talk and talk over the lady..Takes all types to make the world go round I guess. Glad you are both having a fantastic time in Oz. Now, you best take Charlie shopping!..
glad you enjoyed the g Used to be on the maintenance crew for the ground lot of memories came flooding back best view is from level 2 but nothing beats a light tower after you get your breath back
A kiwi, here I have now been to the MCG 3 times. For the last commonwealth games. To an AFL match, Collingwood/ Hawthorn, in the members, and to the Mushroom concert. It’s a great facility
For many years, the playing surface was slightly domed with a distinct crown in the middle, to assist drainage. It was strange if you sat at the fence because couldn’t see players near the other side from the knees down. For the Commonwealth Games. The surface was made flat, as it is today, and an active drainage system, with massive pumps, was installed beneath the surface.
Extraordinary, I've never been there, too busy!! Now I must see this, I love history and sport (cricket most, Olympics, Comm Games) and these buildings are a very special mix of modern engineering, history and facts! The woman guide was incredible, still excited, loving her job, truly knowledgeable! My bucket list is getting longer, thanks guys! 🤗
I am an MCC member and have seen many a game of football with 80 to 100k of supporters in it. And the first test was won by Australia by 45 runs with the exact same result (45 runs) in the Centenary test in 1977
I’ve always wanted to go. One bit of interesting trivia is that from 1956 the MCG held world record attendance of 104,400 for a baseball. It would take just over 1/2 a century for the record to be broken by an exhibition game between the Dodgers and Red Sox in 2008 in LA. The record for AFL though at MCG was the 1970 grand final which had an attendance record of 121,696.
The MCG and what was called Stadium Australia remain the two largest Olympic Stadiums at the time of Olympics. Sydney had a capacity of 115,000 whilst MCG held over 103,000 (although could squeeze more due to some benches). Both have since been reconfigured.
As a Brisbane born Queenslander. I think you Rob would appreciate The Gabba, which is the famous cricket grounds, where the AFL Brisbane Lions also call home. The other famous/iconic stadium here in Brisbane is Suncorp Stadium, which used to be called Lang Park and still is by the locals, it is the home of State of Origin for Queensland and we call it The Cauldron when State of Origin season is playing, it is full to the brim and very, very loud.
Did this tour a few years ago, pretty cool. The adelaide oval one is great too, going up in the old scoreboard is awesome. Being a little elevated at the footy gives you a greater understanding of player movement etc that you just don't get on the telly. I guess you'll find out tonight. Have a great night and go swannies. As an adelaide supporter I'm predisposed to barrack for the non Victorian team.
The oldest thing you can see are the light towers? The picket iron fence that surrounds the oval has been there for over 110 years! As well as that, she got the famous margin (45 runs) wrong regarding the 1977 Centenary Test. Other than that, I'm glad you enjoyed the tour. It's a must for any sports fan visiting Melbourne.
Welcome to Melbourne great that you enjoyed the tour. I have done this with a school group. Just felt a bit ripped when they said we were on the ground of MCG but in fact you were on the fake turf of the boundary line. On ground to me is to step on the living grass.
The capacity on the MCG was 125,000 until about the 1980s, when corporate spaces and boxes appeared. I was there at the GF when 125,000were there. The unofficial record is 150,000, which happened at a GF prior to tickets being sold for match; people we sitting on the grandstand roofs!
Rob & Charlie I hope that you had a great day at the Swans game today and enjoy the Blue Mountain tomorrow! I’m told that I’m lucky enough to overlook two of the best non-commercial cricket pitches in the Sydney region. However, I enjoy more listening to the laughter and watching the fun when some of the very large extend islander families play each other in their own social competition on the two lower parallel pitches right next to me when I sit on my veranda having a drinking and overlooking ‘Raby ovals’. It was great to meet both of you in person at Hyde park in Sydney today. Stephen M 😊
Welcome to my home town. I’ve been to the G with 90k at a hawks v cats game. Hell of a venue. Hopefully the weather improves for you. Need to come for a Boxing Day test match. Amazing experience
I was pleased to hear the guide make mention of Melbourne baseball in the tour. It's not widely stated but the MCG has a distinguished history with the sport. For some time it was recognised as holding the largest crowd for a baseball game but not officially so. At the 56 Olymics baseball was played as a demonstration sport with a game played in the afternoon after the Opening Ceremony. A big number stayed back for a USA v. Oz game and a number of over 100K registered. The remarkable Neil Harvey and his siblings have outstanding records in a number of sports and if they are not mentioned in the MCG there is a good record of achievements for the Harvey Brothers in Wiki. There is / was also a photo of Harvey with Bradman's 48 team in the Long room...all in baseball uniform. Many were elite players in both sports.
Hey guys hope you both having a great time in Australia, great tour of the MCG & hope you have fun at the footy, but have you had our meat pie or sausage roll or a piece of pavlova yet 😁👍.
Following the Hillsborough fire, the capacity of the G was reduced to 100,000. No more standing room. Seating only. But on Grand Final day, with a full house, there is virtually no sound down on the pitch. Not for the human ear anyway. Felt it rather than heard it. Excellent venue for music and church meetings. (Billy Graham crusade had the largest crowd at the G (ever) in 1959 with 130,000.)
Glad you absolutely loved the mighty MCG it’s the best stadium in the world. 🖤❤️🏉 One of the best games to be at is Anzac Day between Essendon and Collingwood 95,000+ and the minutes silence you can hear a pin drop. Breath taking atmosphere
The acoustics at the MCG is also so good, that even at the very top of the stands you can really hear every loudly muttered swear word from the players when they miss goals. The sound of the ball hitting their boot. Glad your enjoying the trip. Hope you are getting to visit the Melbourne Zoo and also the Healsville Sanctuary. Many many years ago I got to see Michael Jackson there. And I was right up the top. As you noticed view is actually really good. I must add that when the grounds get rowdy, those upper seating decks wobble and flex around quite a bit and feel like they could collapse at any moment, but they were designed that way to handle the load of people
Well I hope you enjoyed the energy watching the Swans win by one point. And wow you guys are so lucky to get to a grand final and Covid stuffed my chance of seeing my team win when for the first time ever the GF was held in Perth. Have fun and sorry about the weather this week ha ha
It's going to have to be upgraded soon. Another renovation has to happen before the 2026 commonwealth games. A roof and more seating is next. Plans are online
Welcome to my hometown guys. I was at the MCG with 117,000 crazed fans watching an Essendon Carlton game back in the sixties. Didn't see much because my frugal dad purchased standing room tickets and as a kid, I could only see bums. LOL. My father regularly watched Bradman play there. Enjoy your Aussie holiday and go Swanies! (for you Rob) Cheers.
And I might add, imagine being in the stadium with 100,000 people who are deathly silent. I have; on six occasions, and it is special. ANZAC day is bigger than the GF.
@@archcollie5708 OMG...the silence is the weirdest feeling. I remember when Teddy Whitten died. The minute silence was the quietest and most eerie I have ever experienced.
What about an MCG night game with lights off and only camera torches. Wow!
Can beat that. I was at the record crowd game in 1970. 121,000 !
Glad you both enjoyed the tour. Actually, the lady is correct (although she got the margin wrong); Australia beat England by 45 runs in both the first test match in 1877 and the Centenary Test in 1977, both of which were at the G.
Haha I was only joking. Being English, I'm sure we never lose 😜
@@CharlieandRob Checked to see if it was & must be as it's in Encyclopedia Britanica. Am rather ashamed I didn't know that, considering sometimes host heritage walks on a social walks group and one of the walks goes through Jolimont & East Melbourne.
Been to the MCG Museum twice but haven't done the tour. Been all around the stands & on the ground it on a MCG OPen Day though. DJ'd in 2 different function rooms also
Have a great arvo watching the Swans
@@CharlieandRob
It's pretty close....
Ashes series wins....
AUS: 34
ENG: 32
Imagine that place packed for a Boxing Day ashes test? The poms must be crapping bricks 😂
@@citybeatdisco19 it's true mate. It's a well known fact among cricket tragics.
You two must have had an amazing day yesterday. Good luck for the big one. I hate Geelong, so I really hope you win.
You will be shocked by the atmosphere of the AFL it's a whole different atmosphere and being the Finals it's even crazier
I live in Melbourne and grew up here and I've never done that tour. Cheers for taking us along.
Same! We take it for granted! Welcome to Melbourne Charlie & Rob:)
I remember taking this tour in 2011 for high school, even as someone who isn't much into sport, seeing the history is absolutely great. Glad it's a museum not just a sporting ground. It's even been used for some big name concerts, as well as Olympics
Doesn't matter how many times I go there, I still get chills. The roar of the people, the history. There's something special about it
The biggish crowd at the G was the 1970 grand final between Carlton and Collingwood,. Just as the gates closed at 1:30 pm there were 50,000 people waiting to get in. All of the were turned away because there were already 121,694 people jammed packed into the G. I was only 12 when I saw the game on telly here in Tasmania where I live and what I remember is at 3/4 time Carlton was down by 44 points and came up and won the game by 10 points at a full time ....Pete from Tas... 🍎
Half time not 3/4 time
The MCG is a place I will never forget being at, though my visits there opened my eyes to what I was truly seeing. Coming from the middle of the US, where the state religion is college gridiron, I thought our stadiums were big. Watching the AFL back in 1994 on TV barely through a 1-hour highlights show was one thing... but actually going there was another. Call me a bit green, but I didn't realize that my first time there was round 13, 1995, which was the State of Origin round, that was played during what would now be the Bye week - and EJ Whitten's last public appearance. I remember seeing it all, but didn't take in the magnitude of what I was seeing, since it was my first time. Now that I know who he is, I'm never going to forget it, and can be glad to say "I was there".
Second time was the following week, which was Carlton v. Richmond. A good 95000 people were there. When you see that ground packed, and hear the roar of the crowd or the thousands shouting "Ball!!" when someone is caught holding the ball.. unforgettable.
The SCG.. I remember that place as much as the MCG. because of how much smaller the ground is, having 35000 people at the SCG is like having 95000 at the MCG... and imagine being there in 1996, at that Prelim... and Plugger's Point: when Tony Lockett kicked that behind to send Sydney into their first Grand Final quite possibly since they last won the flag in 1933 at that time. Hope you had fun at that one, especially since the last time the SCG hosted a prelim was that one in 1996, where they won by a point!
Finally, hope you get the chance while you're in Melbourne to get that meet and greet with Razor Ray Chamberlain! that would be phenomenal!
Welcome to Australia. Hope you have an amazing trip 👍
Hi Charlie and Rob the MCG is truly a magnificent ground, glad you enjoyed the tour. Back in 1959 preacher Billy Graham come to the MCG 130,000 watched him speak, biggest crowd for a sporting event was the 1970 VFL Grand Final 121,696 watched Carlton defeat Collingwood that game is considered one of the best Grand Finals ever.
Was that the last time Carlton played finals. lol
@@jamesdean2185 Well you are busy body mouth.
Around the early 2000's I was doing my electrical apprenticeship for BHP and the company sent the apprentices in my year on a tour of the G's electrical services culminating with a trip up the light towers. The view from up there was fucking scary!
so cool to see you both walk around a place that is so special to most of us and that we have spent a lot of time (and money) in our lives
Wow! I've never been to Melbourne so I found your firsthand experience of the MCG fascinating.
If you ever get the chance, it is certainly worth the visit!
Yes, there are always the ones in the tours that ask so many questions especially when the tour guide stated it 2 seconds ago, 😅🤦🏼♀️. Tour guides have to be so patient.
Hope you are having a great time here in Australia! The MCG is a truly epic place!!Nothing like a day out for a game of footy at the MCG. We went to the Guns and Roses concert in 2017 there as well and being in a crowd of about 80,000 people all singing along to the songs was a stunning experience! Enjoy the trip :)
Glad you enjoyed it. One of the things about sitting closer to the action that you wouldn't appreciate if you were sitting up higher is the sound. Specifically the sound of the impacts ......it's quite frightening and visceral. Having worked at four AFL clubs and sat on the bench for every game, that's the thing that stands out for me......something you'd get in either of the rugby codes but not so much in the world game.
so true!
Me and my dad went to a Dreamtime game a few years back and had literal front row seats. It was a miserable rainy night but we were right there in front of a few big marking packs and some crunching tackles. Having stood on the boundary line and been a water runner at heaps of grassroots games you’d think the hits would still be fundamentally the same, after all, it’s all still human bodies crashing into each other… but no, the AFL boys seriously hit each other like trucks and you can really feel it when it’s happening right in front of you
This right here. I have regular season seats at Optus stadium. My seats are in row 9 and we can still hear what these guys' poor bodies go through. Its pretty full on.
Eeerie when it's empty, imagine how it feels when there is 95,000 people there, atmosphere is awesome.
The 1977 Centenary Test did have the same winning margin as the first. I was at the Centenary test. The MCG had a larger capacity in the 1960s and 1970s because there were standing areas without seats in parts of the stadium and there were not the corporate boxes there are now.
The old Northern stand was know as the Olympic stand as it was built for the 1956 Olympics which were held at the ground.
Have done this tour a few times when family have come over from England but still interesting!. Great stadium to watch a game, it's hard to get a bad seat. MIddle tier is my favourite for watching a game.
Thanks for the tour Charlie & Rob, what a game yesterday. Atmosphere looked amazing at the SCG. Grand Final at the G is going to be an experience you guys will never forget.
If we can get tickets 🤞
As the other comments have said the final result in both the first ever test match and then 1977 Centenary Test was identical - I remember it! It's a very famous match and result in Test match history. 100 years go by and the results were exactly the same!
G'day you two, so glad your having a wonderful holiday, keep the smile on your faces, cheers Neil 🤠.
MCG during a footy game is magical. The energy, the cheering, the camaraderie. Have a great time in my home city. Will wave if I see you. 🇦🇺
Wow, thanks for that Rob and Charlie. Not being a "footy" person, I've never been to the MCG, but I do always watch the Grand Final, especially if the Tiges are in it. I did find it really interesting and informative, and I too was fascinated to see how well you could see everything from way up in the top back stands. I know lots of people who have been there and they all say it is such an exciting place to watch a match whether you're into footy or not...all that adrenaline sparking about! I enjoyed seeing Charlie's little intermission piece to camera, and I hope she gets to try all the famous cake shops there, and whatever other touristy things she wants to see...and not become a "Footy Widow" Rob!!! ha! ;) Loving following what you guys are doing over there on the Mainland from here in Hobart...I am living vicariously through you 😁
The National Sports Museum at the MCG has a quite large areas with Olympic items & history (re many not just Melb's), & tennis items & history.
As it's often referred to as the MCG museum many, if haven't been, tend to think it's just footy & cricket. Can easily spend over an hour looking at other than those.
Does help though (did for me) to go with someone who knows Aus footy well
Haha a footy widow. Well luckily at the Sydney game she enjoyed it!
Glad to see you loved the tour of the MCG. Lots of history behind it. If you get the chance and attend a sold out match the atmosphere is incredible. Especially when its over 90,000
The people’s ground. The only place to truly watch sport in australia.
Can only 1/2 watch at every other ground in the country ? Try a country ground, far better.
For football (soccer), I disagree. Awful place to watch. I’ve experienced much better stadiums with better atmosphere and viewing.
My list of must-sees along a walking tour of Melbourne:-
Flinders street station, National Gallery, St. Kilda Road, Shrine of remembrance, Observatory building, Royal Botanic Gardens, The Grotto, Sidney Myer music bowl, back through the Queen Victoria gardens, Federation square, St. Paul's Cathedral, CBD laneways and arcades (Block arcade, Degraves street), Bourke street mall, Melbourne Central & Shot tower, State Library reading room (esp. balconies), Queen Victoria market, through CBD to the river, Polly Woodside, Jeff shed, Crown Casino & Southbank, etc.
Great to see your tour of 'The G'. Yes it's huge arena with quite a history. Must check out the Optus Stadium and Adelaide Oval stadiums. Just over half the capacity but when you consider over $1.6B was spent on the Perth stadium, it has fair bit to see. The Adelaide Oval development is more a combination of the historic and modern design and cost over $550M which at the time was considered absurd.
Funny you said the centenary Test results were not right but she was only out by 4 runs. It was 45 runs and Australia did win both games. The guide seemed to know an extraordinary amount so it's not surprising she might have got a minor detail wrong.
Don't worry too much about some cricket fanatics. When you travel Rob, you're always going to have different experiences with different cultures. Don't let these things ruin your travel experience (you don't want to get tagged). It's all about the journey of traveling worldwide. Nowhere is perfect and there are always going to be challenges. Just focus on the positives of that journey and enjoy that aspect and experience. There's plenty of individuals like loud mouth Americans that more than 1 doesn't like but in saying that there's some heck of a lot that are damn nice and easy to chat with.
Watching on TV is one thing, but being there is the best ! To see what's going on behind play. To hear the crowd to actually hear the ball kicked. Your going to ❤ it. You may like to listen on radio Tripple M is fun, they'll tell you why a free was awarded etc. Enjoy tonight guys 😁
Last night was INCREDIBLE!
My favourite seats for the footy is ground level, first row on the wing. You're close to the action and you can clearly see both ends of the ground
Very interesting, lots of history. Looks like a beautiful day down in Melbourne.⭐️
Not exactly...races at Caulfield had very heavy rain. Lady jockey Jamie Kah won a race and said afterwards that it was hailing for some time.
Weather was lovely that day - hoping it's nice when we go back in a week!
I enjoyed a tour there. The members who lead these tours are fantastic. They speak so quickly & walk very fast btn sights, it felt info overload. We also had one who kept asking Q’s. Our guide said less talk &more listening please, but it didn’t stop him.
I also recommend this tour.
I have so many memories from the MCG. I've seen so many games and even got the chance to go onto the ground and play a mini game once it was amazing
This is wonderful guys, thumbs up :) I have only been to melbourne once but never been to the mcg, so it was really nice to actually see it via your tour, thanks.
From memory there is one beige colour seat amongst a sea of blue seats, is the record-breaking six hit by Australian all-rounder Simon O’Donnell in a Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales. The maximum measured approximately 122 meters and the record stands unbroken even today, after 25 years. When I took my Kiwi mate to visit, we had so many beers before hand that when they took us onto the turf, we both sprinted to the centre circle as the tour guide shouted behind us.
Oh really. thats not something she told us about
That seat may have been in one of the demolished stadiums. I'm not sure if it was put back into the new one.
Ahh the G. Was fortunate enough to be here a few times the day after a AFL Grand Final back when the grandstands are being demolished. Still an amazing place to be in even empty.
Can't wait to see it full!
I'm so excited for you guys. First game of AFL and its a preliminary final at the SCG. Go Swannies. Sorry about the Weather.
Interesting. Never been on this tour but actually been to the football and cricket at the ground probably over 100 times.
I'll have to do the tour one day as I'd love to see what the area looked like before the oval was there.
I went to the game last night and generally I like to see somewhere toward the centre view so can see up both ends and I look an elevated view so more often than not I sit up the top stand. As you said, if you at ground level and towards a pocket of one end it harder to see what going on up the other end. On the other hand when you up close you can sense the actual pace and physical bumps a lot more than up near the top.
In Sydney it is a much smaller ground and you will see up a lot closer and distance from centre to goals is less distance. Sydney is more like a circle than oval.
You see a lot more by being at the ground than you do on tv. On television you only see where the ball goals. At the ground you can see behind, in front, to the side and everything. Have fun today and C'mon the Swannies!!! Kill those Pies...
The thing i like the most about sitting up high in the stands is that sometimes you can see how the play is going to unfold before it actually happens.
Look at you two 😃😃😃👍👍👍👍🕊🌻 I'm excited for both of you 😁🤗👏👏👏👏👏.
Im like a kid in a sweet shop at the moment!
@@CharlieandRob trust me I can imagine 😃👍👍👍👍👍👍🎉.
Thank you so much for sharing your tour of the G. I've been there for so many big events; just love it, but never taken the tour. Very interesting, I must do it one day.
Glad you got to see it what ti you see it full and you be able to see the difference between Sydney and Melbourne stadiums as well there all different and optus in Perth is more modern again
I’ve been there to 9 Hawthorn premierships and 4 losing ones, 50+ AFL/VFL finals and a few Boxing Day tests. Was at the famous Underarm incident and saw DK Lillee’s 355th wicket. Probably been to 400+ AFL/VFL games as well
That is why the coaches boxes are elevated. The view is clearer slightly above ground level, tactically and for simply not having to see through perhaps 20 players in one area.
While you can see from one end to the other, making out what is happening really requires use of the screens. Everything is quite small that far away. You can tell which team - sometimes which player - has the ball, etc, but detail is lost (at least for my eyes). That's true at ground level or from on high. They are very good views for a big stadium and playing surface. Let's face it the secret to good views in stadiums design goes back at least to the Romans.
That's a great tour, and looks like a few things there (on the tour) that weren't when I did it about 15 years ago. Hope you took a wander through the Sporting Hall of Fame which is usually included in the tour fee. So much history, and not just footy & cricket. Would be interested in your comparison to Wembley, which is a similar capacity (although The G probably has more people through the turnstiles each year).
Exactly how I felt the first time I went to the MCG. You hear that it's the biggest cricket ground and the capacity but when you get there it's quite a compact looking ground. Easy to see everything on the boundary as well.
Thanks for the tour, lived in Melbourne twice for a few years each and never actually did the tour
Fun fact… Back in the 1970s, before any of the new stands were built, they sometimes squeezed in around 120,000 people - standing room only!
That was my first impression as well. But, when it is shining at its best on game day, heaving with a sold out crowd, it definitely feels big. The SCG has just as much history, if not more with a couple of original stands left. I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED that you guys are going to a game, not just a game but a Preliminary Final. I truly hope it is even more exciting than you had imagined. 1/ Stay away from Collingwood supporters, they're feral...lol
Welcome to our home! Thanks for doing the tour - I've been meaning to do it for years. One of those great things only tourists bother to do.
Booking my ticket for next weekend.
Cheers.
The largest football crowd at the MCG was the 1971 VFL Grand Final, which was over 121,000. You can watch the full match on TH-cam.
It's definitely worth watching, unless you're a Collingwood supporter. You will see how much the game has changed over the past 50 years, mostly for the worse.
Just wait for that roar after the national anthem at the GF, magic!
Hey guys
Glad to see you are getting a little bit of Melbourne sunshine!!!
What do you think of our coffee, food and money?
Not had coffee as i dont like the stuff. You money is cool but everything is expensive,
Yep, I noticed the guy who constantly broke in and disrupted the Guide's script. I first visited the MCG for the Olympic Games in 1956. It actually housed more people then because the laws of the day allowed standing room. Today, everyone must be seated. I think the largest recorded crowd was 120,000. I also worked there for many years under bay 13, supplying 100 plus lolly boys. I think I was there for at least 6 grand finals, but I never saw the ground because we were so busy. Things are certainly different now as your video clearly indicates. Well done and lovely to watch.
That's hilarious......You know, I thought the same when I heard him talk and talk over the lady..Takes all types to make the world go round I guess.
Glad you are both having a fantastic time in Oz.
Now, you best take Charlie shopping!..
I love your enthusiasm, Robb and Charlie.
Good vid Rob n Charlie. Hope Ur enjoying today n that v swans get up.
Swan's game was INCREDIBLE! But so tense at the end...
glad you enjoyed the g Used to be on the maintenance crew for the ground lot of memories came flooding back best view is from level 2 but nothing beats a light tower after you get your breath back
A kiwi, here I have now been to the MCG 3 times. For the last commonwealth games. To an AFL match, Collingwood/ Hawthorn, in the members, and to the Mushroom concert. It’s a great facility
For many years, the playing surface was slightly domed with a distinct crown in the middle, to assist drainage. It was strange if you sat at the fence because couldn’t see players near the other side from the knees down. For the Commonwealth Games. The surface was made flat, as it is today, and an active drainage system, with massive pumps, was installed beneath the surface.
Glad you both enjoyed it!! I live just across the road from the MCG haha
Extraordinary, I've never been there, too busy!! Now I must see this, I love history and sport (cricket most, Olympics, Comm Games) and these buildings are a very special mix of modern engineering, history and facts! The woman guide was incredible, still excited, loving her job, truly knowledgeable! My bucket list is getting longer, thanks guys! 🤗
The guide really was amazing and made the experience better with her knowledge
I am an MCC member and have seen many a game of football with 80 to 100k of supporters in it. And the first test was won by Australia by 45 runs with the exact same result (45 runs) in the Centenary test in 1977
My two favourite places in Melbourne, the mighty ‘G’ and the Shrine.
I’ve always wanted to go. One bit of interesting trivia is that from 1956 the MCG held world record attendance of 104,400 for a baseball. It would take just over 1/2 a century for the record to be broken by an exhibition game between the Dodgers and Red Sox in 2008 in LA.
The record for AFL though at MCG was the 1970 grand final which had an attendance record of 121,696.
Welcome to Australia and to Melbourne hope you enjoy the footy this afternoon
Hope you are enjoying the footy in Sydney
It was AMAZING thanks!
@@CharlieandRob glad you enjoyed the game
Hi just a thought you could do your meet and greet at federation square in Melbourne cbd
Great to see brother and sister getting along so well.
Erm....what
The MCG and what was called Stadium Australia remain the two largest Olympic Stadiums at the time of Olympics. Sydney had a capacity of 115,000 whilst MCG held over 103,000 (although could squeeze more due to some benches).
Both have since been reconfigured.
Grade 6 school camp memories, went on the MCG tour many many years ago.
Maybe should now take my little ones one day. 🤔
Been to the MCG for footy and cricket more times than I can possibly remember. Fantastic venue. GO CATS!!
Crown land? I didn't know that. His Majesty just inherited the MCG!
It’s pure pleasure walking out on the mcg. It’s impressive to say the least
As a Brisbane born Queenslander. I think you Rob would appreciate The Gabba, which is the famous cricket grounds, where the AFL Brisbane Lions also call home. The other famous/iconic stadium here in Brisbane is Suncorp Stadium, which used to be called Lang Park and still is by the locals, it is the home of State of Origin for Queensland and we call it The Cauldron when State of Origin season is playing, it is full to the brim and very, very loud.
We will have to take a visit when we come to Queensland on our next trip!
Did this tour a few years ago, pretty cool. The adelaide oval one is great too, going up in the old scoreboard is awesome. Being a little elevated at the footy gives you a greater understanding of player movement etc that you just don't get on the telly. I guess you'll find out tonight. Have a great night and go swannies. As an adelaide supporter I'm predisposed to barrack for the non Victorian team.
It was a great game last night - absolutely AMAZING to watch!
Looking forward to our trip to the oval as well!
Aww mate! What a game! I cant wait to see the video of you guys at the SCG watching the swans win (love you videos, keep it up)
Going up Wednesday!
The viewing angles at the G are fantastic no matter where you're sitting.
The oldest thing you can see are the light towers? The picket iron fence that surrounds the oval has been there for over 110 years! As well as that, she got the famous margin (45 runs) wrong regarding the 1977 Centenary Test. Other than that, I'm glad you enjoyed the tour. It's a must for any sports fan visiting Melbourne.
Welcome to Melbourne great that you enjoyed the tour. I have done this with a school group. Just felt a bit ripped when they said we were on the ground of MCG but in fact you were on the fake turf of the boundary line. On ground to me is to step on the living grass.
I'm a Hobartian and been over to the MCG many times.
It's spectacular imo and glad you enjoyed it!
Pretty cool and interesting video of the MCG being one of my many favourite cricket grounds in the world.
The capacity on the MCG was 125,000 until about the 1980s, when corporate spaces and boxes appeared. I was there at the GF when 125,000were there. The unofficial record is 150,000, which happened at a GF prior to tickets being sold for match; people we sitting on the grandstand roofs!
Rob & Charlie I hope that you had a great day at the Swans game today and enjoy the Blue Mountain tomorrow! I’m told that I’m lucky enough to overlook two of the best non-commercial cricket pitches in the Sydney region. However, I enjoy more listening to the laughter and watching the fun when some of the very large extend islander families play each other in their own social competition on the two lower parallel pitches right next to me when I sit on my veranda having a drinking and overlooking ‘Raby ovals’. It was great to meet both of you in person at Hyde park in Sydney today. Stephen M 😊
Oh sweet! Especially if your into those sports! The please was all mine!
She's a beauty the ol' G, I think every Victorian is proud it has so much history.
It is true about the first ever and the centenary test. Same winning margin in both matches 100 years apart.
Welcome to my home town. I’ve been to the G with 90k at a hawks v cats game. Hell of a venue. Hopefully the weather improves for you. Need to come for a Boxing Day test match. Amazing experience
I was pleased to hear the guide make mention of Melbourne baseball in the tour. It's not widely stated but the MCG has a distinguished history with the sport. For some time it was recognised as holding the largest crowd for a baseball game but not officially so. At the 56 Olymics baseball was played as a demonstration sport with a game played in the afternoon after the Opening Ceremony. A big number stayed back for a USA v. Oz game and a number of over 100K registered.
The remarkable Neil Harvey and his siblings have outstanding records in a number of sports and if they are not mentioned in the MCG there is a good record of achievements for the Harvey Brothers in Wiki.
There is / was also a photo of Harvey with Bradman's 48 team in the Long room...all in baseball uniform. Many were elite players in both sports.
p.s. Don't miss the SCG museum with depictions of what the precinct looked like when Moore Park was part of the original Sydney Corps barracks.
Hey guys hope you both having a great time in Australia, great tour of the MCG & hope you have fun at the footy, but have you had our meat pie or sausage roll or a piece of pavlova yet 😁👍.
Not yet! I can't wait for Pavlova as it's my favourite!
Following the Hillsborough fire, the capacity of the G was reduced to 100,000. No more standing room. Seating only. But on Grand Final day, with a full house, there is virtually no sound down on the pitch. Not for the human ear anyway. Felt it rather than heard it. Excellent venue for music and church meetings. (Billy Graham crusade had the largest crowd at the G (ever) in 1959 with 130,000.)
Glad you absolutely loved the mighty MCG it’s the best stadium in the world. 🖤❤️🏉
One of the best games to be at is Anzac Day between Essendon and Collingwood 95,000+ and the minutes silence you can hear a pin drop. Breath taking atmosphere
I have done the tour, afl, and boxing day test. All great fun.
Lovely that you enjoyed the tour.
Thanks guys😊 I hope you're enjoying your visit😃👣👣 maybe you'll get a chance to take in a good band or concert🤔🌏🪐🍀🌕🙏🌸🇦🇺🌺🦋🦉🏡🌴🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Hoping we could get a chance to watch the AFL grand final there! 🤞
The acoustics at the MCG is also so good, that even at the very top of the stands you can really hear every loudly muttered swear word from the players when they miss goals. The sound of the ball hitting their boot.
Glad your enjoying the trip.
Hope you are getting to visit the Melbourne Zoo and also the Healsville Sanctuary.
Many many years ago I got to see Michael Jackson there. And I was right up the top. As you noticed view is actually really good. I must add that when the grounds get rowdy, those upper seating decks wobble and flex around quite a bit and feel like they could collapse at any moment, but they were designed that way to handle the load of people
Definitely off to the sanctuary and possibly the zoo depending on time
Well done guys enjoy what Melbourne has to offer there’s plenty of sites funny things to do cheap so don’t get caught out
I use to live a 5 minute walk from there in a block of flats. I had a great view of the fireworks.
The place of so many Colliwobbles moments!
Well I hope you enjoyed the energy watching the Swans win by one point. And wow you guys are so lucky to get to a grand final and Covid stuffed my chance of seeing my team win when for the first time ever the GF was held in Perth. Have fun and sorry about the weather this week ha ha
Pleased , that you were pleased !!! Enjoy all of your trip here ... ;-)
Thanks Rob and Charlie for the tour of the MCG. I have yet to do it.
It's going to have to be upgraded soon. Another renovation has to happen before the 2026 commonwealth games. A roof and more seating is next. Plans are online