San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged that his initial frustration with the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia has softened after spending time in Melbourne. However, his grievance with the Los Angeles Rams regarding the relocation of a home game remains.
Shanahan's primary concern has been the decision to move a Rams home game nearly 8,000 miles away from SoFi Stadium. He noted that 49ers fans often fill opposing stadiums when the NFC West rivals meet in Los Angeles, making those road games feel less hostile. "I see it as one home game a year in L.A., just the way our fans take over that stadium," Shanahan said. "So, it was disappointing to let them off the hook and get them out of that."
The relocation of the matchup overseas may not alleviate this issue, as the 49ers are reportedly the NFL's most popular team in Australia, while the Rams rank seventh. This dynamic suggests the historic Australia opener could once again favor the 49ers.
"Knowing how our fans roll, I have a feeling it won’t be much different here," Shanahan said, anticipating a strong showing from the 49ers' fanbase. Fred Warner, a player for the 49ers, echoed this sentiment, expressing hope for "a sea of red" and describing the team's supporters, "The Faithful," as the best fans in the world who travel extensively.
Beyond the crowd advantage, Shanahan also highlighted the logistical challenges. San Francisco traveled to Melbourne more than a week before kickoff to acclimate to the time difference and the extensive flight, a significant undertaking for one of only 17 regular-season games. This is a crucial division game that could impact NFC West tiebreakers, with both teams expected to be contenders.
Despite his lingering competitive concerns, Shanahan has found the experience of being in Melbourne positive. "This is the right time to be here," he stated. "It’s the right place to be and it’s the right team to go against." The coach suggested that if his prediction about fan turnout holds true, the Rams did not escape a 49ers takeover, but rather moved it to a new venue in Melbourne.