The other day I went to a match of Australian Rules Football (AF). For anyone outside of australia, where this game is practically unheard of, let me explain. Some hundred years ago, the game of cricket was imported from england and played everywhere in Australia. How to play that game, is still unknown. What was apparant, though, was that the game was very slow and could took hours or even days; a typical match may take up to four days. So the australians looked at this huge circular cricket field and they felt there had te be more to it than just playing cricket on it. So they invented australian football. A game now very popular in the Melbourne region (Victoria state). Some interesting key facts:
- The game is played on a regular (huge) circular cricket field
- Each team has at any time 18 (!) players in the field
- At any time there are 4 referees in the field
- Tactics are given to players by sending people into the field, during the game (dodging the balls as they come)
- The same for the people that bring water or refreshments to the players
- If a player is injured; the game goes on anyway
As you can maybe tell by now, this is a very hectic game! And played totally different than rugby, or american football. The main play is something about this. Get the ball, punch it forward to teamplayers (no throwing), or kick it. Catch the ball withing 50 yards of the ‘goal’ (two large poles), which is a mark. As a reward you get a free kick from the spot where you caught the ball, to shoot the ball between the big poles. Goal!!
For me personally, I had never heard of this game before, but I actually kind of liked it. At least compared to cricket is a million times more exciting and fun to watch!
Share this post
Twitter
Google+
Facebook
Reddit
LinkedIn
StumbleUpon
Email