“Come on O’Hailpin, get in there!” yelled the crowd every time the number 17  from Carlton grabbed the ball. 55,000 spectators filled the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on a beautiful Saturday night to witness an Australian Football (footy) game between rivals Carlton (The Blues), and St. Kilda (The Saints) and for the first time ever I WAS WITH THEM!

Sitting right behind the goals with expensive hot chips and a hotdog, which cost five and seven dollars respectively, I watched as the cheerleaders entertained. Soon, the players came running out and the game started. With 36 players on a huge field, there seemed to be referees stationed everywhere. What a contrast to a soccer game (my usual sport), as there is only one referee with a couple of linesmen. Immediately I could see that footy is a game where possession of the ball is important, as players dug deep and passed the ball back and forth to get away from their opponents. Imagine how fit you have to be to run so much!

Each goal was celebrated in fashion- supporters and the cheer squad screamed, chanted, and waved their club’s flag with pride, while boos could be heard from the rival supporters. After 27 mins of play, the first quarter came to an end with Carlton leading by 15. The second quarter commenced after a five-minute break. St Kilda seemed dispirited and lacking motivation, and Carlton stayed in the lead at halftime, by 11 points.

With a longer half-time break, the pitch was filled up with little kids running around. Mini-sized goals were set up and off they went playing footy in such an adorable manner the crowd was going “Awwwwww so cute”. Spectators scrambled away for more jam donuts and beer, with a handful just about arriving.

The third quarter saw a comeback from St Kilda, with more possession of the ball resulting to consecutive goals scored. Carlton’s spectators still showed their unwavering support for the players, even when St Kilda went to the break leading.

The last thirty minutes saw a now confident St Kilda team show absolutely no mercy as they went on to dominate the game and score even more goals, to Carlton’s dismay. The brilliant displays by Carlton’s O’Hailpin seemingly forgotten, many supporters left even before the game ended. “I”m depressed I”m going to the strippers”, stated a young Carlton supporter after his teams loss.

“Oh when the Saints go marching in, Oh how I want to be in St Kilda, When the Saints go marching in” was sung with pride repeatedly upon the final whistle- it was hard not to sing along.

So now that I have broken the drought I’ll be back, but next time I will do it with pie and beer and a team to gun for. What should be my next ‘first time’ sporting adventure!

Sportsnet guest reporter Aisha Imran