{"id":880372,"date":"2026-09-05T01:46:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T01:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/880372\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T01:46:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T01:46:13","slug":"san-francisco-49ers-stars-fumble-australian-town-names-ahead-of-inaugural-game-in-melbourne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/880372\/","title":{"rendered":"San Francisco 49ers stars fumble Australian town names ahead of inaugural game in Melbourne"},"content":{"rendered":"

American football<\/a> players have battled through pronouncing Australian towns and councils as they descend on Melbourne<\/a> for the first ever regular season game held Down Under<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The San Francisco 49ers stars were walking to practice when they were tasked with pronouncing Toowoomba, Kununurra, Goondiwindi and Woolloomooloo for a social media video yesterday.<\/p>\n

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: San Francisco 49ers embrace Aussie culture before historic MCG clash<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and fullback Kyle Juszczyk managed decent attempts at Woolloomooloo, while rookie Jaden Dugger appeared confused while calling the inner-city Sydney suburb \u201cWoolahmahloo\u201d.<\/p>\n

Defensive lineman CJ West nailed all of the names except for the regional West Australian town of Kununurra, laughing after calling it \u201cKunaroora\u201d.<\/p>\n

Among the more wild attempts was star linebacker Fred Warner, who tried to tackle all of the names at once and only managed a string of almost-incoherent syllables.<\/p>\n

Despite the butchered pronunciations, locals were thrilled to see their small towns and suburbs being recognised by international sports stars.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a local from Goondiwindi this is unreal seeing the little towns get some attention in the big smoke,\u201d one commented.<\/p>\n

Another person from Kununurra said they were travelling the almost 3000km trip to Melbourne to see the game on September 10, adding they \u201cloved hearing them try to say my town\u201d.<\/p>\n

Other social media users forgave the players, with some Australians even admitting even they can\u2019t pronounce some town names.<\/p>\n

\"NFLNFL stars have struggled with the pronunciation of Australian towns and suburbs while in Melbourne. Credit: Goondiwindi\u00a0Regional Council, @49ers\/InstagramNFL players take in Australian culture<\/p>\n

The players touched down in Melbourne on Thursday, more than a week before their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, and watched the AFL elimination final between Geelong and Carlton on Friday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a little different than (American) football but the atmosphere is loud,\u201d wide receiver Demarcus Robinbson said in a social media<\/a> video.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was going to be like rugby but it looks a little different. It\u2019s pretty cool actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

San Francisco legends Justin Prettyman and Joe Nedney were also taking in Australian culture, appearing on Sunrise from a sausage sizzle at a Bunnings on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

Nedney, a former place kicker turned ambassador for the sport, said Australia is quickly becoming a talent pool for scouts looking for athletic punters.<\/p>\n

The inaugural NFL clash at the MCG will be live and free on Seven and 7plus on September 11.<\/p>\n

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