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Nick Wagoner
Various Contributors
MELBOURNE, Australia — Just after his squad secured a 27-7 win against the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan anticipated at least one of the inquiries he was about to face.
Exactly as expected, seven queries into his post-match press briefing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a journalist questioned Shanahan on whether San Francisco’s decision to arrive in Melbourne a week early provided an edge over the Rams, who landed on Thursday, competed on Friday, and departed immediately afterward.
“Regardless of the outcome, I was certain everyone would emphasize that narrative for both squads,” Shanahan remarked. “It is hard to measure how much of an impact it actually has. Your goal is simply to get ready as best as possible for those 3½ hours. I was pleased with our preparation, but even more so with our execution on the field.”
Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed a comparable viewpoint.
“I do not think that is the reason we came up short,” McVay stated. “I truly do not. … My choices will always be guided by what I believe benefits the roster most. Looking back, it is simple to label it a mistake, but I am the one responsible for those choices.”
While both coaches avoided turning the NFL’s debut regular-season matchup in Australia into a debate over travel schedules, the 49ers’ win offered valuable insight for other franchises facing 15-hour-plus journeys for future matchups.
Following an erratic opening half from both competitors, the Niners registered 17 unanswered points, handing the Rams their most lopsided defeat since the second week of the 2024 season. Consequently, the Rams became the first preseason championship favorite in half a century to drop their inaugural game by a margin of 20 or more points.
In Raheem Morris’ debut outing guiding the San Francisco defense, the unit limited the Rams to their lowest point total in any matchup featuring Matthew Stafford under center. Meanwhile, the Niners’ offensive attack appeared energetic and versatile, with quarterback Brock Purdy tossing three touchdowns, while San Francisco gained an average of 5.8 yards per run across 30 carries.
The San Francisco players thoroughly valued the manner in which Shanahan and the coaching staff organized their travel schedule.
“Arriving early was absolutely the right move,” wideout Mike Evans remarked. “I felt we adjusted well. … Nobody grumbled. In fact, we truly relished our time spent here in Melbourne.”
The 49ers arrived in Melbourne on September 4, establishing their base at the Park Hyatt Hotel. The franchise coordinated all necessary accommodations, including strategy and video review rooms, while team chefs took over restaurant duties to cook meals. Additionally, athletes utilized a neighboring wellness facility featuring recovery resources like cold plunges and red-light treatments.
Outside of their game preparation, the Niners toured the local area, visiting diverse cafes and gathering for team dinners at nearby eateries. Running back Christian McCaffrey even visited a barber, where he was told his haircut “looks cracker”—a phrase he learned is local slang for looking excellent.
“Melbourne was incredible,” tight end George Kittle expressed. “I had an awesome experience. I am so glad we traveled ahead of schedule to spend the entire week soaking in the city’s vibe. The accommodations were top-notch, the service was fantastic, and we were treated exceptionally well. We had a blast tasting local coffee and just relaxing together all week.”
As the contest unfolded, Shanahan and his players observed that the capacity crowd—with an official count of 100,021 ranking as the seventh-largest in NFL regular-season history—was seated quite far from the gridiron, yet they still thoroughly appreciated the atmosphere.
Both Purdy and Shanahan got a kick out of the local Australian custom of stadium-wide singalongs during breaks in play.
“It was fantastic,” Purdy shared. “The enthusiasm shown by the Australian crowd was really amazing. They are incredibly devoted sports fans. We had been told that by many, but actually standing on the field and looking up, I realized how special the moment was. … They really embraced the event. To visit such a beautiful nation and city, secure a victory, and experience Melbourne alongside its residents made it an unforgettable journey.”
Despite the triumph of the excursion, San Francisco might not rush to make another trip down under in the immediate future.
Because the 49ers served as the designated away team for the game and do not hold global commercial rights in Australia, any future appearances there would require a similar arrangement.
The NFL has established a multi-year deal to stage more matchups in Australia, with franchises holding local marketing rights—including the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, and Las Vegas Raiders—expected to make the trip next.
While the Niners had a wonderful experience in Australia, any reluctance to return would stem strictly from the operational challenges and physical toll of such extensive travel.
“It was a great experience, though I would prefer to return on vacation next time,” Shanahan admitted. “It is clearly a beautiful destination. However, it is challenging when you are focused on work throughout the trip. … I prefer having all 17 matchups right at home in San Francisco. No offense to Australia, I am just not a fan of long-distance flights.”
