Two different football games

Amongst the family homes
Besides the Merri Creek
No trains or trams in sight
The fans walk through the streets

They wander from their cars
And make their way inside
An old suburban ground
To watch their teams with pride

They join thousands on their feet
Not all can get a seat
They shiver in the cold
Just like the days of old

Down at the MCG
From comfortable modern stands
Far more go to see
Two clubs of foreign lands

Many chose to go
To simply see a show
And there are many more
To watch clubs that they adore

Those who've come in suits
are removed from the grassroots
There's money to be made
And guests to entertain

Deep in Melbourne's North
Two stories intertwine
One has stayed on top
One reversing their decline

They share a Balkan past
And a football rivalry
And a vision of the future
Gives this game vitality

National aspirations
Beckon both these clubs
A final game before they rise
A taste of what’s to come

The friendly down in Richmond
Is derided by some fans
Too soon after competition
To travel to far lands

The players are too tired
To put on a great show
Many chose to rest
With their families back at home

There's no three points or silverware
No preseason insight
There's not too much to play for
For either team tonight

Preston score in seconds
The stadium erupts
Their fans' nerves dissipate
In a moment of triumph

The South fans are not happy
The urgency soon rises
Losing is not an option
For that there are no prizes

On the pitch each player rides
The passion from the stands
Each kick and tackle fueled by cheers
And jeers of all the fans

Clapping from the MCC
Some flags from fan clubs too
The neutrals of the MCG though
Aren't sure what to do

A goal - that's nice - another - cool
Half time substitutions
The first team players slowing down
Young players the solution

The intensity pedestrian
The fans can recognise
The goals don't seem to matter
It's a training exercise

Until the end of the first half
It's tense at BT Conor
South score a goal to equalise
Half time comes soon after

The second half a change occurs
The teams come out much sharper
They've learnt their lessons from the first
This next half will be tougher

South go onto take the lead
But the Lions do bite back
The game hangs in the balance
Until South's winning attack

The MCG goes onto see
And quiet second half
The final score, a one-one draw
Placates the fans and players and staff

To add some tension this can't be
The solution much be penalties
The Aussie Kuol scores to see
Newcastle crowned the winning team

The fans saw Ange and Kuol and teams
They admire from afar
Many leave the game with smiles
They saw their superstars

The fans up north leave their game
Hungry for much more
A taste of what next year could be
Makes them insatiable

The work from volunteers
The patience of club fans
Was paid off back in spades
They can hope again

Across the country football fans
Tuned in uncertainly
But South and Preston showed in the end
What Australian football could be