Footy Grand Final Weekend

Saturday was the Australian Football (footy) League Grand Final, which equals our Super Bowl. The final two teams were the St. Kilda Saints from Melbourne and the Collingwood Magpies also from Melbourne. Collingwood dominated the first three quarters, but once the fourth quarter began the Saints made a major comeback. I was cheering for St. Kilda because the Collingwood fans are very obnoxious and you either love or hate them. So I was very excited when St. Kilda came back and actually took the lead by one point with 3 minutes to go. The time kept going and with only a minute left, Collingwood kicked a goal worth one point and the game was then tied. However, neither team scored again so there was a draw. Usually they would do an overtime, but since it was the Grand Final they have the overtime next weekend. I was very upset because now we have to wait until next week to see who will win and they play a full game all over again. It was a very fun and exciting game to watch and I hope St. Kilda rests up so they can come back and win!

For the game we went to our friend Shane’s house, which is super close to campus and we had a bbq. I ate soooooo much food all day long. I made puppy chow because I learned that Australians do not know what it is. Whenever I told everyone I brought puppy chow they just gave me weird looks because they thought it was real dog food. They really liked it though! I got to try fairy bread, which is bread with butter and sprinkles (kids love it!). I also ate my first meat pie and I actually liked it. It is pretty much a little pie filled with minced meat and a little bit of gravy and you can put tomato sauce in it. Australians love their meat pies!

Fairy bread

Meat pie

There were about 30-40 people there and it was about three-fourths St. Kilda fans and whenever St. Kilda was in the lead the room went crazy! We also did a little betting on who would win and by how much. Someone actually had put down a draw so he won lots of money! After the game, we practiced kicking the footy ball and just hung out. It was a great day and I am excited for next week’s game!

Random:
- I had someone ask me if I was a Kiwi (someone from New Zealand) or from South Africa… that was a first.
- Completed two of three 2000 word essays this week, which make up 40% of my grade.
- I have three weeks of classes left until exams
- I have been surprised by how many Aussies know our national anthem
- The Subways here do not have kangaroo meat, but the guy working said he would bring some in for me and would make me a sandwich. He said he has been asking his boss to serve it for a while. Haha