Valetini used to go to The ‘G to watch his side St Kilda in the AFL; a rite of passage for everyone from the area.
The state of Victoria is Aussie Rules heartland, where rugby union barely gets a look in. At the school where the Lions are based in the Melbourne suburbs, rugby posts had to be bussed in so the tourists could train.
Every man, woman or child ‘barracks’ for a team, whether it is Carlton, Hawthorn, St Kilda, the unpopular but successful Collingwood, or Fleming’s team Essendon, where his daughter plays for the women’s side.
“AFL is such a part of Victorian and Melbourne culture,” Fleming explains.
“But if I’m guessing, 10- to 15,000 [Aussie Rules fans] will want to be part of Saturday, because it is a unique event.
“Victorians who have never been to a rugby game before [will come], and their first one will be the Wallabies against the Lions, 90,000 people.”
This is a view shared by Tanya Gallina, the general manager of the Melbourne Cricket Club.
Melbourne is not a rugby union city, and Victoria not a rugby union state. But the locals love their sport, they love their big events, and they love The ‘G.
“Melbourne is known for its love of sport and the MCG is the heart of the city – it is really important to this state and the country,” says Gallina, who is Melbourne born and bred.
“People know there have been so many amazing moments here, from the 1956 Olympics to AFL Grand finals to soccer matches to different events. It is iconic, and a meeting place where people come together.
“We know there are lots of British and Irish fans over here, but we know the Melbournians and Victorians will come and watch a spectacle.
“It is about being part of something and being part of a moment in time – it is such a unique moment for us to have the Wallabies and the Lions playing here.”
The exact number of Lions fans flocking to Melbourne is hard to pinpoint, given the amount of ex-pats living here and in Australia in general.
However a rough estimate has more than 30,000 making the trip.
Some have been here for weeks. Others are coming in for a matter of days, with flights costing up to £3,000 each. But all of them will know Saturday is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
From Ellis Park in Johannesburg to Eden Park in Auckland to Principality Stadium in Cardiff, the Lions have played in some famous rugby stadiums this century.
But they may never have played a Test match in such an iconic sporting venue. The stage is set. Now, hopefully, it will be a game to match the occasion.
