San Francisco 49ers v LA Rams MCG game start time, how to watch, where to watch, players, teams

With Seven, Kayo, Disney (ESPN) and Netflix all showing this game, it’s stretching things only a little to suggest all eyes will be on the MCG today. But whatever your choice of broadcaster, come half-time, all eyes will definitely be on the Jonas Brothers.

The three former Disney Channel stars – Kevin, 38, Joe, 37, and Nick, 33 – have taken time out from their Burning Up tour of the States, announced last month, to pop into the ‘G for a set that will likely last about 12 minutes.

It’s a long way to come for such a short set – and word is the NFL does not typically pay performers for their half-time shows – but with an expected audience in the US of more than 20 million viewers, it’s a great platform for spruiking a run of shows that start in Boston later this month and run all the way to December 21, when they play their home state of New Jersey.

What can we expect from the boys today? In a word, pop. It might be dance-tinged, it might be rocky, it might be acoustic ballady, but it will be pop music, pure and simple. It’s what they’ve been doing for 20 years, and it’s made them one of the most successful acts of the 21st century so why mess with it?

Freezing cold or burning hot weather, a cold beer, food out of your truck, and the company of your new and old friends. Tailgating is one of American football’s greatest traditions.

At your average American tailgate, you will see everyone decked out head to toe in their team’s merch. In some cases, people will get an inflatable costume of their team’s mascot. Don “Bearman” Wachter is an example of someone who goes all out for his team, the Chicago Bears. Wachter dresses in a taxidermy bear head and the rest of his clothes has fur sewn on, making him the “Bearman”.

In the US, where most stadiums are surrounded by giant, open car parks, the true tailgating experience lies in grilling out of the back of a truck. It is reminiscent of family, with crowds growing from a few close friends to strangers who happen to be “friends of friends”.

Australians might not call it tailgating, but they do get together in car parks before big games. As president of the Croydon Rangers – one of Gridiron Victoria’s clubs – Brock Lynch and his family have already had their own experience with it. Back in 2008, they hosted their own tailgate outside the MCG before the Hawthorn-Geelong grand final.

No event at the MCG is complete without a Daicos or two.

On this occasion, we got three.

Collingwood stars Nick and Josh Daicos brought their famous dad, Peter, along with them to catch the NFL action.

It’s shaping as a big few weeks for the family despite their Magpies being out of the AFL finals, as Nick is the favourite for the Brownlow Medal in a couple of weeks’ time.

Speaking of some other famous brothers, US stars the Jonas Brothers are providing the half-time entertainment at today’s NFL game at the MCG.

Last night they fuelled up for their big gig with dinner at Andrew McConnell’s celebrated CBD hotspot Gimlet.

Now this is what I’m talking about.

Deebo Samuel has arrived at the MCG in a suave look that plays with texture without going overboard.

The wide receiver for the 49ers is dressed in a tailored double-breasted cream suit that he’s chosen to contrast with a leather black tie and embellished with a Chanel brooch (a nice touch).

Finishing the look with black loafers and Balenciaga sunglasses, Samuel’s toting a Hermès Birkin 40 that would make most influencers jealous.

It’s a look that is flashing dollar signs to anyone who knows where to look for them.

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll said today’s game would add to Melbourne’s rich sporting legacy and boost the state economy.

The government expects more than $300 million to pass through local businesses in a whirlwind weekend for Melbourne’s hospitality industry.

At a press conference by Birrarung Marr, a major riverside walkway to the MCG, Carroll said very few cities in the world could have pulled off hosting the game.

“It’s going to be one of those events that people look back in history and say, ‘Where were you?’ or, ‘I was there’. It’s got that feel about it,” he said.

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