The never ending question that I get from every Australian sport enthusiast: How does AFL compare to NFL?!
Looking back on my responses to every time I was asked this ... I think it has changed heaps from when I first arrived to Australia and now. I used to say NFL was better than AFL but now I can see that the two games of football are extremely different. They both have their positives and negatives but I enjoy both quite equally :)!
Now, I am absolutely obsessed with AFL and think it's amazing! A year ago, I thought the Aussies were lunatics when they were raving about the Grand Final. I didn't get it. We were on the way to the Gold Coast and the boys were trying to live stream it as we were driving cross country. I just didn't know what it was. To me, the only type of football I know was NFL, which I am obsessed with (I'm sure everyone knows this already)!
Now that I've been introduced to footy, I can't seem to stop watching it. If I'm home Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday ... that's what's on my TV. Its a very interesting sport and definitely gives NFL a run for its money!
The game is extremely fast paced with 30 minute quarters played on an oval. If they kick the ball through the middle goal it's 6 points and called a goal. If they kick the ball through the two side goals, it's called a behind and worth one point. The only sport where you can score if you miss the goal. They pass the ball via handballs and kicks. They aren't allowed to hold on to the ball ... if they're running with the ball they have to bounce it on the field every x amount of meters to keep running with it. And everyone is constantly being tackled, however, they wear NO PADDING. These men are ridiculously fit and brave. I feel as if there is at least one bloody nose every game. It's absolutely crazy. I think the best part about AFL is that the guys are absolutely gorgeous ... love watching them play.
For some serious info on the rules:
http://www.aflrules.com.au/afl-game-rules/
Footy also isn't just played by the professional ... it's the thing to do as an Aussie!! Everyone plays footy at some level, it's crazy!
Because of my friends, I have began to support the Port Adelaide Power. Luckily, Port has been play really well and have made the playoffs. Last Sunday, I was able to go to an AFL finals match and Port killed it. 7 goals in a row in the first quarter against Richmond who was coming off a 9 game winning streak. It was absolutely brilliant. Such and awesome game and I can't wait for this week. Port is playing Fremantle and hopefully they win and we see them in the Grand Final in two weeks.
Like every sports them, there is a connotation associated with PORT. There are two teams in Adelaide: Port Power and Adelaide Crows. Port is known as the "bogan" team. Though, I don't really care...I think it's really funny how serious this connotation is. Everyone knows it and alludes to it at some point when expressing your team. However, after going to the port games ... I do see where the "bogan" connotation comes from but it doesn't bother me. I've fallen in love with the team and can't wait to keep supporting them!
During my first couple of games, I didn't know what to yell when I was getting into the game. There all are a lot of phrases that the Aussies use. I haven't quite caught on to them all but I am learning. So I would usually yell "don't get tackled!" .... Well this lovely phrase as blown up and I get made fun of for using it. So if you're ever watching AFL ... yell don't get tackled at least once for me ;)
In two weeks, I will have experienced a full season of AFL (footy) and I can't imagine next year without it (I'm going to have to stream it of something). Can't wait for the Grand Final ... cross your fingers Port is in it :)