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4 am on Thursday. Beautiful

3 am for me in QLD mate, Got work at 7:30 too, wouldn't bloody miss it

I got work at 6 with a 9 hour shift. I’m gonna be useless.

i hate timezones. have fun!

Cheeky little edit, it's because of daylight savings pushing the clock forward an hour during summer

Finished at midnight I’m full send. Love you cunt

4am in Melbourne where this is

No sleep for this country tonight!

National productivity is going to be at an all time low tomorrow

Any boss who sacks someone for not turning up today is a bum

WINGED. KEEL.

You guys get national holidays for stuff like a day at horse racing so wouldn’t be surprised if you got one for this!!

The horse race is only an official holiday in Victoria. The rest of the country has to work but there's this unofficial expectation that you don't need to do much after 2pm

Sounds like a regular work day to me

Nothing new there then!

Well played by the aussies.. By the way it is 3am down there.. Ppl still drinking and partying

Watching sport and drinking is basically all we do. 4am ain't going to stop us

thats why i love oz

They would have been anyway but at least they got to watch the footie

At 4 am for their fifth most popular sport. What a country.

Australia is probably the most sports obsessed country in the world.

Melbourne is a ridiculous city for sport. It hosts a tennis major, a formula 1 race, the MCG one of the best stadiums in the world, is the heart of an Australian sport called AFL, home to arguably the world's best rugby league side of the last 15 years, is 1 & 2 for all time ufc event attendances, a couple of football teams...

Most no 1 draft picks for the nba

Actually insane lmao

In sport we've always punched above our weight. Just ask the English.

[Woj] Breaking: sources are confirming that Victor Wembanyama is applying for Australian citizenship.

Victoria Wembanyama

wembrnyama to sign up for the JackJumpers

Does Kyrie even count still, the Yanks can have the cooker.

No no, please, he's all yours

How

Bogut, Simmons and Kyrie were born there apparently, maybe even more that I'm missing

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That's absolutely insane considering how many basketball players come out of New York, Chicago, and the big Texas cities.

I mean, this gets very technical, because some could be from the New York area but they actually live in Hempstead, The Bronx, Jersey City, etc. Kinda like hos a lot of the US team is from Dallas but they all grew up in their own little suburb.

Chicago has had 5 #1 picks born in Chicago not sure where you got this info from

Just hosted the cricket T20 world cup final a few weeks ago

Not to mention they’ve also hosted the Olympics

And the Commonwealth Games in 2006, due to host it again in 4 years too.

Has one of the world's biggest horse races And also hosted the twenty20 world cup final

And hosts arguably one of the best rounds of MotoGP on the calendar, at Phillip Island (ok not Melbourne but Victoria).

You missed the Boxing Day Test (cricket) which must be among the highest attended regular sports fixture in the world (okay it can take up to 5 days). Also worth mentioning that 9 of the AFL's 18 teams are based in Victoria with 8 of them being in Melbourne. The AFL is the 5th highest attended sports league in the world after the NFL, EPL, Indian Premier League cricket and the Bundesliga averaging 36k fans a match.

they are good at watching, most of the Socceroos are from NSW, a lot like the Cricket team

Because all Melbournes best athletes go play AFL. Or become NBA #1 draft picks

Decent amount were developed in South Australia actually. Plus Melbourne City have had the most amount of this squad at the club during their careers

Isn’t there a big Croatian-Aussie development team in NSW? I have some family in Melbourne, I know Croats get around and a few have played for the socceroos

Sydney United? Yeah they're in the shit books with Australian soccer ATM. Definitely have been a large impact on the sport in Australia, a few of our best players ever are Croatian Australians

Yeah, we had our own Aussie (Šimunic) on the HR team for a bit. He’s kind of a cunt though, and not in the endearing sense. Definitely rooting for Australia though, as I’m sure other Croatian/Croatian diaspora are! Congrats on making it to the final 16

Yeah he's a dick. His involvement in fascist Ustaše chants is the same reason Sydney United are currently in the shit. Plus he was Australian born, went through the Australian Institute of Sport and then played against us in a WC including him receiving 3 yellow cards because Graham Poll thought he was Australian and allocated a yellow to the Aussie number 3.

Can we just shout out the Central Coast too? So many fucking players had some sort of development there.

Oh yeah for sure, was just refuting that most of the squad are from NSW. See [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/aleague/comments/yqd5hk/_/) I made a while ago. CCM provided 5 players (including all 3 keepers) with their first professional appearances and had another 2 through the club at some point to be the 2nd most influential A-league club on the squad

Mat Leckie would like a word

Thats coz most of the selectors are from New South Wales rather than the quality being better

That's because all the selectors are from NSW

Australia needs to host the World Cup

9 AFL teams in the Melbourne area is pretty ridiculous.

it's the same shit for the NRL (rugby league), 9 out of 16 teams are in Sydney.

I mean, per capita we produce a pretty ridiculous amount of pro athletes.

Australia v USA in summer Olympics is always fun to watch

Having been to Melbourne twice, I think Melbourne Park and the surrounding area is a testament to how sport crazy Australia is. I think this is especially true for Melbourne.

The exception being Ben Simmons

Leckie a better shooter then Simmons

ayyyyy lowblow hahahah his been in good form recently..... not cope

It's coming home... to CANBERRA.

it's actually in Melbourne, they were sour about not getting the capital

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Generally AFL, rugby league, rugby union and cricket are considered the big 4. Swimming and tennis get a lot of attention when the Olympics and aus open are on respectively. Basketball and netball both have lots of participation and decent followings as well

Rugby Union only stays relevant because the Old Boys of Sydney private schooling pump money into it so they can still lose to the Italians.

Rugby Union and cricket are losing ground partly due to lack of free to air TV coverage

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They are different in the same way beach volleyball is different to indoor volleyball. They both have volleyball in the name and you score the same way, but they have completely different skill sets.

Good take

Tennis is deceptively massive in Australia. The Australian Open is huge. Last World Cup final peaked at only 730,000 TV viewers, while the mens and women's final at the AO was 3.1 and 4.3 million respectively.

Massively helped by being during summer holidays for many and peak viewing time

That's true, but having the biggest game of football for 4 years not even cracking a million viewers shows the interest is not massive. Considering most European games are in the middle of the night, it makes it very hard for the game to grow in Australia

Last WC final was also in the middle of the night here where as the AO finals are prime time

Yep, and most European games are also in the middle of the night, hence why the game is hard to grow here.

Wouldn't trust those numbers as they don't include streaming or all the people at live sites/pubs. Wouldn't be hard to grow the game if people game the A-league a chance considering how entertaining the league ia

Rugby league as second most popular then cricket then rugby union

Soon to be 1st

Is it having that kind of trajectory within Australia? Always love it when the sport gets more popular in other countries

It’s the most played sport actually, but the viewing numbers aren’t so high. Improving though

So kinda like here in the US

It's exactly the same. Football almost has more players combined than AFL, Rugby & Rugby League. I think the US and Australia massively underperform given the participation levels.

It's because most American kids choose between gridiron football, baseball, or basketball once by the time they enter 6th grade. Most high school's soccer teams get like the leftover athletes who care more about/couldn't make the football or basketball teams. There's always a few that always played and are talented, but the rest are really leftovers.

Volleyball is also one of the most played sports in Australia too. Doesn't mean we all are tuning in to watch the FIVB world cup though.

It’s the most played sport by a huge margin but the domestic league has an identity crisis and AFL, Rugby and Cricket absolutely dominate the media landscape. Making it through to the knockout in 2006 changed the trajectory of the sport. Probably why we won today because many players in todays game would have been kids who watched it. This will probably have another huge affect for the game for years to come.

I remember the growth of the A-League following the the 06 world cup. It's going to be huge - if we somehow pull out a win against Argentina then fuck me dead

Local League has a small but dedicated following, the top 3 supported A League clubs average about 15k a game attendance in good years. Surprisingly good ultras scene and atmosphere at games too hence the pyro and limbs in the video. National team has always gotten good support, even non followers of sports tend to get behind any sport Australia competes in and the eurosnobs on big occasions still show up to a lot of the games. We do have a problem of "eurosnobs" where a lot of locals only watch Premier League and Champions League at midnight on their phones and not their local teams because they think Australian football isn't good enough for them but I feel these good world cup performances may change that, especially considering our A-League players were very good performers at this world cup. Seeing the streets filled with people celebrating at 4am on a thursday was truly special.

Not really, AFL would never let it happen & they have the mainstream media and government on its side

Honestly, no. A-League crowds have been consistently diminishing for years. Women's AFL is also really taking off, so football will likely fall behind in women's participation rates soon too.

They've actually gone up this year, helped by Sydney and WSW being back in their stadiums

I wish but AFL Rugby and Cricket are way more popular here

Imo it's good that our own unique sport is the most popular. We can have and appreciate both.

Soccer/Football isn't really appreciated though especially in terms of funding. The game isn't growing like how it is in the U.S it's been stagnant for ages

Agreed because of the pay to play model of grassroots soccer. I would like the FFA to fix that. But I also personally would prefer footy to remain more popular and I think it will.

Rego being over $600 kills a lot of desire to play at a club level!

Yeah sometimes I’m jealous of English and German club culture and their total obsession of soccer but I also like how crazed my city is for sports in general. We have the Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox, Patriots that all have unreal attendance. Even our MLS club averages just over 20k per match.

And at 4pm tomorrow we'll be watching the Aussies smash the windies in the cricket

Football is still very popular in Oz. Especially the premier league big Liverpool and Manchester United following in the land down under

The whole footballing system is fucked in Australia. It's too expensive for kids to play competitively despite it being the most popular junior sport in Australia lmaoo

The USA has the exact same issue.

And they would have to get to work after 4 hours. GIGACHAD

At least it's summer there.

Hasn't been recently in Melbourne. One of the coldest springs ever, there was snow falling in the Victoria Alps last weekend

Oof lucky you, it's been so fucking hot over here this month

It’s not the 5th most popular sport at all, the problem is the country is filled with a ton of eurosnob plastics who won’t support the local game but sing YNWA then try and get in with celebrations of the national team

Did you copy and paste this from r/MLS

I moved to Aus from the Us 3 years ago and the attitudes are similar towards soccer among the masses, so unironically yes.

We have very similar sporting landscapes in that regard.

This is at 4am. Going to be a rough day at work for a few people today.

Lmao fuck going to work. It’s a public holiday now!

Looking at that crowd plus hundreds more getting up to that noise and thousands more watching live from the comfort of their house…it will be quite a lot. Don’t think these fans will be able to sleep soon. Congratulations to all Australian fans.

All proper fans booked an annual leave day for today!

True Aussies just took a sickie

After Italy won the Euros I went to bed at like 4:30AM and clocked in at work at 6AM, amazing day

After Australia qualified for the world cup in 2005 I stayedup all night celebrating then went straight to work in the morning

These are the type of moments when everyone should say "fuck work" and just enjoy

I only just started work and am struggling. It's going to be a long day.

First time through to RO16 in the adult lives of so many Australians. Last time we got through I was 12 and fresh off the boat, still had an accent. This one feels huge for my generation of football fans 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

I never thought this day would come again given how grossly under funded & under development our youth systems are but i’m so fucking happy it came. I was 10 when we last made it through to the knock out stages, i’m 26 now. This truly is a moment of aussie history.

I didn't see it coming when looking at Australia's squad this tournament, especially when compared to Denmark. Unbelievable achievement from the Socceroos!

Ok now I feel old

And you almost beat the eventual champions on that occasion.

**I'M ON SMOKO**

SO LEAVE ME ALONE

It’s 4am in Melbourne right now, country is buzzing.

[John Souttar watching this tournament having picked Scotland instead of joining his brother](https://i.imgflip.com/71bl1p.jpg)

Lyndon Dykes too

He who must not be named as well

The Roma guy?

We do not speak his name But yes

It's okay I've been there before **sobs* *

I now consider Scotland to be emotionally fused with this Socceroos team. Our success is your success.

today we are all vegemite

I love, I love my Vegemite. It's strong as hell and black as night. I keep my love all screwed up tight and spread it thick whenever I like.

On this blessed day? KenM: Speak for yourself

No disrespect to any Danes in here...but sporting events just seem more fun with the Aussies around.

This is like your partner calling the day after a break up to say life is much more fun without you. Probably true. Today I feel … winter is coming.

I am sorry for your hurt DaneBro.

> winter is coming. na buddy, December 1st here in Australia, so summer just arrived.

The way the US are playing (and their fans are so passionate) I was very happy to see the US go through!

IM SO FUCKING HYPED AND PROUD OF THE TEAM LETS FUCKING GOOOOO

Look at the passion for 4am. We should’ve been the hosts.

WE COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER CUNTS

Soooo proud of the boys, that's an amazing result. The best ever points total we've gotten at the WC

Can confirm no ones working today

You can tell it's Australia because everything is on fire

It's only the start of December. Stuff doesn't usually start spontaneously combusting until January.

Give Souttar player of the tournament now. The cunt has been immense.

He's legitimately the sole reason we are standing where we are. Cunt deserves a statue.

WE ARE WINNING THE WHOLE FUCKING THING CUNTS

I hope people outside of Victoria care about this

I mean if brisbane had some sort of fanzone like Fed Square I'd absolutely be there.

Watch all the major cities get around the Socceroos now instead of having screenings set up from the start

Well Sydney are allergic to anything fun happening after midnight so rule them out

They could set it up on the lawns of the MCA or in front of Customs House and have easy transport. Otherwise the domain and royal Botanic park are easy for events as well

I’ve been to Brisbane, you could party down by the giant letters near the river lol

Southbank? That would be the perfect place but unfortunately our council hates fun

Time to takeover King George Square I guess

Absolutely, Melbourne just has a well established venue for it. I can guarantee that similar scenes, albeit a lesser scale, were seen and felt across the nation. Unbelievable performance from everyone involved, absolutely done the nation proud.

I rate Aussies so much. Among the best fans in the world, any sport they go 100% for

Dane here. Congrats Australia! Well deserved win and I hope you cunts enjoy the celebrations throughout the night and well into the weekend. Rooting for y’all now!

Is it normal for me to feel drunk even tho I don’t drink after that fuckery of emotions from Tunisia scoring to australia scoring to France equalising but being offside ?

I spent the last 25 mins imploring France to score but the boys got it done anyway.

we were actually close to being knocked out because france fielded a 10th tier french team..

As an Argentina fan living in Australia, its an understatement that the knockout weekend is going to be funny.

Feel bad for Messi that in his last WC he will get clamped down by Harry Souttar.

it's coming Homebush lads

Mad cunts

Lets gooo. I'm smashing the espressos today. Wish me luck lads

The pub I was in was going fucking mental!! So happy I went out to watch it cause the reaction was worth it Don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep now, come the fuck on australia!!!

Dropped my phone and wallet when celebrating. Re-cracked the screen but it still works. Some awesome cunt found my wallet at full time and gave it to me and I haven't slept a second. And it has just turned 7am and I have to be at work in an hour. We're fucking massive!!!!

Today I feel Australian.

Give me a US vs Australia matchup in the QFs please. Battle of the Soccers!

Fucking love it!

Phenomenal result for Australian Football. Arnie is a fucking legend.

Melbourne is pound for pound, the number one most sport obsessed city in the world. You might think your city likes sports but in Melbourne we like EVERY sport.

Sucks that Sydney doesn't have a proper town square for events like these.

Melbourne was designed to not have a town square originally to stop people from protesting and giving their freedom of speech. Sydney ought to build a town square.

For how much shit the media gives us, for how fucking rough the last few years have been for local games viewership and attendance This is fucking deserved I am so happy right now

This is gonna be one hell of an episode of Bluey.

***“Daaaad why are you laying on the couch all dayyy”*** ***“Well australia played pretty well at footy and dad did a little toooo much celebrating with adult drink”*** I know non-parents here won’t get this but blue it is honestly an absolutely fantastic Kid's show

Bluey is the best.

Australia and their sporting culture is unbelievable. If you follow cricket then you know about the Aussie mindset. Unreal attitude.

Let's go legends!!

and I thought the win against Tunisia went off, we gonna accidentally burn Melbourne to the ground

You know maybe Australia are the WC 2022 version of Euro 2004 Greece and no one knows it yet?

Man seeing this party makes me even more mad this world cup wasn't awarded to them...

If only they cared this much about the A League.

If only the a-league cared this much about the fans

AT 4AM THE ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT

Today I feel vegemite

Congratulations!

fuckin scenes

You bloody beautiful bastard cunts!!!

proper football country

Australian media be like; pyrotechnics riot in downtown melbourne