The MCG

“The MCG is a shrine…It is to this city what the Opera House is to Sydney, the Eiffel Tower to Paris and the Statue of Liberty is to New York; it symbolises Melbourne to the world. It inspires reverence.”

– Greg Baum, Fairfax Media

We had managed to take a trip around the perimeter of the MCG previously but we didn’t go inside. Today we got the guided tour and a visit to the NSM.

Firstly, I think I’ll get the abbreviations and outline history documented. The MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground, founded in 1853 and home to the MCC – Melbourne Cricket Club, the ground is known locally simply as The G, it’s the birthplace of Test cricket in 1877 and one-day international cricket in 1971. Also under the same roof is the NSM – National Sports Museum and the ground is currently set up for AFL matches – Australian Football League (Aussie Rules football) which has been played here since 1859. The G has also been home to the 1956 Olympic Games and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Access is so easy on a Sunday with no events on, we drove from Newport over the West Gate Bridge to the Tennis Center car park in 25 minutes and it’s only a short walk to the G. Around the perimeter are statues of iconic sportsmen and women who have earned their places in history, locally and globally.

Once inside and paid up we got a comprehensive guided tour from the very charming and knowledgeable MCC member and volunteer guide Beryl who took us around the ground, on to the pitch, the players viewing areas, in to the changing rooms, media rooms, the Long Room, up and out on the balcony overlooking the Road Laver Arena and the other Olympic Park stadiums which are in constant use by local sports clubs and teams. It’s a fascinating tour, nothing was missed and all questions were expertly answered with full stats and dates quoted instantly where required.

As much a Football ground as a Cricket ground, the MCG holds fascination for visitors drawn in by both sports, we were joined on our tour by football fans from Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth as well as cricket fans from Australia, England and India all equally interested in all the history for both sports.

The central playing area, currently set up for AFL matches, is transformed for cricket matches by removing the entire central square of turf and replacing it with a pre-prepaired square of wicket grade grass. The central square has an underlying slab of concrete making this process slightly easier but it’s still a huge task requiring the local roads to be closed off over a weekend to get the job done.