The game around this time was defensive and low-scoring, played low to the ground in congested rugby-style scrimmages. The typical match was a 20-per-side affair, played with a ball that was roughly spherical, and lasted until a team scored two goals. The shape of the playing field was not standardised; matches often took place in rough, tree-spotted public parks, most notably the Richmond Paddock (Yarra Park), known colloquially as the Melbourne Football Ground. Wills argued that the turf of cricket fields would benefit from being trampled upon by footballers in winter, and, as early as 1859, football was allowed on the MCG. However, cricket authorities frequently prohibited football on their grounds until the 1870s, when they saw an opportunity to capitalise on the sport's growing popularity. Football gradually adapted to an oval-shaped field, and most grounds in Victoria expanded to accommodate the dual purpose—a situation that continues to this day.
the game around this time was defensive and low-scoring played low to the ground in congested rugby-style scrimmages the typical match was a 20-per-side affair played with a ball that was roughly spherical and lasted until a team scored two goals the shape of the playing field was not standardised; matches often took place in rough tree-spotted public parks most notably the richmond paddock (yarra park) known colloquially as the melbourne football ground wills argued that the turf of cricket fields would benefit from being trampled upon by footballers in winter and as early as 1859 football was allowed on the mcg however cricket authorities frequently prohibited football on their grounds until the 1870s when they saw an opportunity to capitalise on the sport's growing popularity football gradually adapted to an oval-shaped field and most grounds in victoria expanded to accommodate the dual purpose—a situation that continues to this day