Quick hits: NFL goes AFL, Jonas Brothers rock, and 100k fans see rare sight - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The Jonas Brothers perform at half-time during the NFL football game between Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers at the MCG. (Getty Images: Robert Cianflone)

The NFL's first match in Australia lived up to the hype, with more than 100,000 fans packing the MCG to watch the San Francisco 49ers defeat the LA Rams.

There was more than just football on the field, with the Jonah Brothers rocking out at half-time and belting out one of the great Aussie anthems.

The NFL brought American flair to the MCG, but the game had a little AFL flavour.

Here are the quick hits from the historic season opener.

With the NFL playing its first ever match in Australia, it also meant that our national anthem was sung before an NFL game for the first time.

The honour of singing Advance Australia Fair was given to singer, and Commonwealth Games swimmer, Cody Simpson, and our man did us proud.

Simpson even gave the anthem a little twist at the end, this was a special occasion after all.

After completing the anthem, Simpson then sang the final two lines again, as planes flew overhead at the G.

Melbourne was getting a taste of America with the NFL.

The pageantry of pre-game, tailgates outside the MCG, and plenty of NFL fan fare.

But the NFL made sure to add some Australian flavour to its game as well.

The first points of the match belonged to San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro, who kicked a 20-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Officials raise their arms in their air to signify a successful kick, but for this field goal, the action was a little different.

The officials extended their arms and made the same gesture for a goal in Aussie rules, a fitting touch for any game of footy played at the MCG.

The NFL came to Australia with the intention of drawing a huge crowd, and putting on a spectacle.

That was achieved, and then some, with an official crowd of 100,021 packing into the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The official capacity of the MCG is 100,024, meaning the NFL was just three shy of claiming that every seat was filled on Friday.

And those 100,021 fans got to see something that most Americans never will: the centre catching a pass.

The centre is the player who snaps the ball between his legs to the quarterback at the start of the play.

But on a historic day in Melbourne, 49ers centre Jake Brendel became the hero of big men everywhere.

Midway through the second quarter, Brendel snapped the ball to quarterback Brock Purdy, and then protected his QB by blocking Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner.

When Purdy threw his pass down the middle, Turner was able to jump in the air and get his hand to the ball.

As the ball hung in the air, threatening to be intercepted by the Rams, Brendel quickly reacted and caught the pass for a two-yard gain.

Frankly, it was a pity the MCG crowd did not get to see Brendel cut loose for a big run, but seeing him claim the first reception of his career was a moment that would not have been on any NFL bingo cards.

The superstars at the MCG on Friday were not restricted to footballers.

American pop rock band Jonas Brothers were the headline act at half-time.

The performance, albeit short, had all the the style and chorography of the half-time show at the Super Bowl.

And there was a nice touch to an Australian legend during the performance.

The American stars sang one of the great Aussie anthems, You're The Voice by John Farnham.

The capacity crowd at the MCG was in full voice for the famous song, a great nod to one of Australia's greatest artists.

There are few better personalities in the NFL than star San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle.

His interviews are always a highlight, especially after a 49ers win over their rivals in LA.

Following his side's impressive 27-7 win over the Rams at the MCG, Kittle gave a trademark interview with American broadcaster ESPN.

He was asked about the Australian tradition of a shoey, which the American star claimed he wanted to try.

"Are you trying to set me up to get in trouble?" he asked the reporter when quizzed on whether he would want to try a shoey.

"Wherever I can do one, I'm gonna try to find one in the stands."

Kittle finished off his interview in similarly entertaining style.

He said how much he was excited to leave Melbourne and head home, before appearing to make sure his comment did not come across like he, and his teammates, did not enjoy their week down under.

"We embraced going to Australia — 15-hour flight, we were here the whole week — it was a grind but we did it," he said.

"We'll see you guys back in America, I can't wait to go home. I did love Australia though, this place is awesome."

We loved having you George, bar the Rams fans here who have gone through a painful defeat.