Part two of the Going Down Under series appropriately takes to the public at the same time the 49ers are enjoying the sights, sounds and (for Nick Bosa) coffee of Melbourne.
We're less than a week to go until kickoff for the 2026 season, and the San Francisco 49ers are doing the job of the (supposed) home team Los Angeles Rams as the Niners enjoy the sights and sounds of Melbourne, while the Rams have elected to stay in L.A. until the last moment.
A bit weird for the home team in this contest to be honest, a fact that has been noted already:
I hope @nflcommish appreciates that the 49ers are spending a full week at public events and interacting with locals in Melbourne, doing the NFL’s ambassador work. The team does seem to be enjoying the people there.
— Dontay Atkinson (@DonAtkinsonNFL) September 5, 2026
The Rams are the “home team” and the party responsible for…
Read More: Rams' decision to host 49ers in Australia may backfire in the biggest of ways
To celebrate this unique occasion, Niner Noise is doing the Going Down Under series as we take a dive into this game. You can read the initial article, about what this game means to me as a fan, here.
Since the 49ers are taking to the streets to enjoy Australia, this second article is also going to take to the streets.
Niner Noise talked to Australian 49ers fans Emma Gray, Nicholas Cosmai, P.J. Rabbitoh, Charlie Mercieca, William Coughlan, Manjot Melli and Ramon Cura.
How did you become a fan of the 49ers?
Emma: "I became a fan of the 49ers because my mom got into the NFL and that is her team, so I thought, "you know what they’re my team as well."
Nicholas: Weirdly I came across baseball and basketball first and supported teams in L.A. in the Dodgers and Lakers. When I came across the NFL, the Rams were in St. Louis, and the Chargers were in San Diego. The only team that I knew of that was at least in the same state was the Niners.
P.J.: My Dad and I used to watch the late night Don Lane NFL show on Tuesday nights, I was playing as the Steelers on the PC, but saw Jerry Rice score three amazing touchdowns in one game in 1991. From that moment, I was a 49ers fan. Obsessed with them, I have had Super Bowl Monday off work every year since about 2002. Went to my first game at Candlestick where we we beat Giants 27-10, I think it was 2011. Went to Levi's last year and we beat the Falcons. Amazing stadium.
Charlie: Lived in San Francisco from 1994 through '96 at age 8 to 10. So, naturally, they were the team to go for, being local.
William: My dad took me to a game in when I was young, and they won. That was our family rule for live sports.
Manjot: I got some of my dad's family living in San Francisco, and he became a fan during the [Joe] Montana days. I inherited the 49ers from my dad in 2009 and watched my first game when I was nine years old in the 2011-12 playoffs when Vernon Davis had The Catch III versus the Saints. I've never missed a 49ers game since.
Ramon: When I was 12, my aunt from San Francisco visited us in Sydney. She gave me a 49ers baseball cap and Joe Montana poster. I was hooked from there!
Who is your favorite 49ers player (all-time and current)?
Emma: Nick Bosa, he’s super hot!
Nicholas: Favorite all-time is Frank Gore from my generation, currently Trent Williams.
P.J.: Jerry Rice, but honourable mentions for Vernon Davis, Garrison Hearst and Frank Gore. Current players, Brock Purdy and Fred Warner. Can't split 'em.
Charlie: Joe Montana, he’s a legend, but also liked the great attitude he had. George Kittle, again for the same reasons as Montana.
William: Jerry Rice was incredible to watch, and Joe Montana became my favourite, due to him being short and tough. I related as a small kid.
Manjot: My favourite all-time 49er is Jerry Rice, and it'd be a dream to meet him in Melbourne. My favorite current 49er is Fred Warner, and I'd love to meet him as well!
Ramon: Current, Christian McCaffrey. All-time: Ronnie Lott and Jerry Rice
What does it mean for this game to be played in Australia?
Emma: It means so much because we really don’t get this opportunity to have such an incredible sporting game here in Australia. I think it’s a really great opportunity for Australians to appreciate a good team.
Nicholas: This is essentially a bucket list item. There may not be an opportunity to watch this team in person again, when I found out that morning that we were the team coming, I knew I had to move heaven and earth if required to be there and take in the atmosphere and the environment. I have been through all the 4:30 a.m. starts on Monday mornings, so it doesn’t feel real that seeing this is only an hours flight away now.
P.J.: It's fantastic, Australia are huge NFL fans, it's just a shame they picked the worst venue to play it in.
Charlie: It’s amazing to see them at home, especially as I understand the sport a lot more now than I did in my younger years.
William: Since it’s my favourite sport, it’s great to have it here to get more exposure. I also played here for a few seasons for the Northern Rebels, and I know how much this will mean to the Australian leagues.
Manjot: It's awesome to have Australia's true team in Melbourne, considering a lot of Aussie 49ers fans having been going for the team since the 80s and 90s dynasty. This means a lot more to the long-time fans, but even for someone like me who's been a fan for 15 years. It's special considering we get up at crazy hours in the morning to even watch live games. It's great that I can experience my first game by driving for a few hours rather than flying for a whole day!
Ramon: Literally a dream come true (cliche, i know). As a lifelong 49ers fan and knowing how many Aussie Faithful are here, it's been amazing seeing Melbourne decked out in red and gold.
What's one thing you want the United States to know about Australia?
Emma: One thing I want, the US to know about Australia, is that not everything is deadly over here and Vegemite is the best.
Nicholas: Don’t worry, it’s Sofi South down here, too! Australia’s a great country, Melbourne is great for its food and sport. One of the few things we miss from this country is this sport being more popular here, and the participation at local level being better.
P.J.: Drop bears, we need to warn them about the drop bears.
Charlie: Aussies have been waiting to see a game Down Under for a long time. We want more games!
William: We have more than just kickers. We have some of the toughest sportsmen in history. I hope this encourages more Aussies to follow the sport and play. Also, meat pies during sport are way better than hotdogs.
Manjot: That Australia is home to a lot of NFL fans, and 49ers fans as well! There'll be a jersey of every single team when we're there, and 100,000 fans in the stands will make the US know how much we love their game, too.
Ramon: Don't let the flight time between here and the US scare you from coming here, it will be worth it!
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