International Student Update

On Saturday 9 August, a group of our international students headed to the MCG to watch an AFL showdown between Richmond and St Kilda. 

The students had a fantastic time soaking up the atmosphere, cheering along, and enjoying this iconic part of Australian culture. A huge thank-you to Mr Fisher who, for the second year in a row, organised tickets and made the day possible.

Some of our students have shared their highlights from the day: 

Frankie: 

When I first arrived in Melbourne, I was amazed by how crazy people are about AFL! On the train, passengers had already given up on personal space and were leaning over to watch game videos together. Around the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the party vibes were non-stop — crowds of fans in bright red and yellow shirts were flooding into the stadium and nearby bars and restaurants.

We decided to join the fun, but while everyone else was here for the match, we were here to see the MCG itself — this 170-year-old landmark.

The game atmosphere was incredible. St Kilda seemed to have better skills and luck, staying in the lead most of the time. But at the end of the third quarter, Richmond suddenly started catching up, even taking the lead 44:36! Just when Richmond looked like they might turn things around, St Kilda pulled ahead again and won by just 3 points.

As a “fake fan,” I was glued to my seat for the full two hours. Honestly, what an experience!

Kai:

Last weekend I watched my first full AFL game and the atmosphere was amazing. The players were incredibly fast and energetic. The game was so quick that I didn’t dare look away. The crowd’s cheers made it even more exciting. I noticed AFL needs both strength and teamwork. The referees made fast, clear calls. At first, the rules were confusing but I soon got into it. Now I really want to watch this game again.

Stella: 

On Saturday, I went by the train to see the football game. The stadium was very big and there were many people in there. The contest was very fierce, I felt very nervous. During the game, the crowd's enthusiasm and cheers were very high. This was very interesting. I watched the full game.