MELBOURNE, Australia – This country loves to sing – from the national anthem to the Friday game to pop songs – and it loves to shout the praises of the underdog.
In the year From the members of the Australian II team that won the America’s Cup in 1983 to 61-year-old potato farmer Cliff Young from Sydney to the Melbourne Ultramarathon to gold medal sprinter Steven Bradbury to… Sam Stosur beating Serena Williams in 2011.
That’s why fans here immediately turned on Brock Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. All week, people here have been asking how “Mr. Irrelevant” is not only useful, but a superstar.
And Purdy did not disappoint the 100,021 fans on hand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, or those watching at home. The 49ers overcame an early interception to score the game’s final 24 points and throw for three touchdowns and 205 yards. The Rams won 27-7.
When Purdy left the field, he left the meat pie and couldn’t keep up with the locals. But his new supporters are chewing on the word to the popular Australian media on Tuesday about how one can win over the skeptics.
“I don’t think you should buy into other people’s opinions or criticism,” Purdy said. “If you believe in yourself and believe in your work ethic and your preparation, you can win. You can do anything.”
The 49ers dominate the rival Rams Down Under.
Purdy may have — he definitely should have — had this sneak talk back in the States, but fans here will remember his 39-yard touchdown pass to DeMarcus Robinson, his 18-yard scamper and how much better the dirty kid looked than fellow state MVP Matthew Stafford.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan remembers the 99-yard drive that ended the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
“I think Brock played really well,” Shanahan said. “On the 99-yard drive, there were so many plays there that he was going to unload and move the chain with his legs. Brock was unbelievable today.”
On the drive, Purdy hit Luke Farrell and Debo Samuels hard on first downs and later rolled for 18 yards when the pocket broke. On that one, he did a little dance for the fans when he got up from the grass. He ran for eight more yards and then capped an 11-play drive with a hit to the right side and Samuels.
Purdy, who lost starting receiver Dezaun Striling to an ankle injury, gave all the credit to the defense — they had a goal line, which is why he started at the 1-yard-line — and Shanahan.
“Shout out to our defense,” Purdy said. “Getting our stops was a big turning point in the game. And Kyle was doing a good job of making the right play calls. Their defense was giving us our one and two in the game. So we’re trying to take it away.”
Purdy cleared the ball quickly. In fact, his average throw was 4.4 yards downfield, and his Only game with Short ADOT in the works It was 2.3 when the elbow tore up in the 2022 NFC title.
When the Rams put pressure on them, “I started using my legs a little bit,” Purdy said, “and guys hit Deebo late.”
Purdy didn’t get the game ball. And he could also go to Trent Williams and the offensive line, which shut down Myles Garrett and the Rams pass rush. Or Renardo Green, who had a key interception early on and has had a solid offseason and training camp. Or to the two-headed rushing attack of Christian McCaffrey and rookie Keelon Black (24 carries for 133 yards).
Instead, the Niners gave game balls to linebacker Fred Warner after becoming the franchise leader in playmaking and strength and conditioning coach Dustin Perry preparing for the trip and overseeing everything during the team’s eight days here. (There is no truth to the rumor that the Rams have left their strength and conditioning coach behind in Melbourne.)
Purdy spent both his arm and his legs against the Rams. (Martin Keep/AFP via Getty Images)
The journey was made easier because of Purdy.
Williams said he didn’t fully realize the offense pushed him 99 yards because he was dealing with cramping while playing, but it wasn’t all that surprising.
“The team was finding its groove,” he said. “That’s all we can do.”
And it all starts with Mr. Relevance.
“Look up leader in the dictionary and there’s a picture of Brooke Purdy,” Williams said when asked to describe the quarterback by an Australian reporter. “He’s Mr. Irrelevant and he’s been the same guy from playing (third string) to playing (starters).
“He commands the huddle, he never gets angry and some of the throws he makes under pressure are nothing short of spectacular. He’s the heart and soul of the team.”
With that, the Australian journalists sighed and smiled, and the dog-loving fans here might as well.
And they will be happy to hear that the feeling is mutual.
“The crowd was great,” Purdy said. “I thought the energy of the Australians here was great, they’re so passionate about sports, it’s so special. They’re in the game the whole time and they’ve got their different chants and songs.
“They had fun with it. So for us to be able to come here to an amazing country and win it was a great experience overall…Hopefully, we’ve got a lot of Niners fans here in Australia now.”
What they do.
