The Best Sport in The World- Aussie Rules (an educational thread)

Sorry just my opinion. Definently biased as I was raised on it and have been following it since I was four years old and oplaying it since I was eight.

Anyway, this is more of an educational thread for those that dont know much about the sport (sick of explaining to you americans that Aussie Rules is not soccer or rugby ). So here is what Aussie rules is

Australian (rules) football, Aussie Rules, sometimes known as football or just footy, is a team sport played between two teams of 18 players with a ball in the shape of a prolate spheroid. It is a football variant played outdoors on large oval shaped grass fields, with four goal posts at each end.

Pretty much the object of the game is to kick the ball between the two larger posts of the opposing team. Kicking the ball between these posts scores 6 points (called a goal), while kicking the ball between one of the larger posts and one of the smaller posts, registers 1 point (called a point or a behind). A behind may be scored in 2 ways, first is the previous explanation, the next is if the ball is kicked, tapped, or walked over the your own goal line. The winner of the game is determined by whoever has the largest score at the end of the game.

Movement of the ball is done primarily in 2 ways, the first being kicking and the second being a handball, which means knocking the balll with your hand. Throwing the ball is not allowed. Play is mostly free and ongoing, but play stops when a free kick is paid, or a mark is taken. A mark is when a player kicks the ball and another player catches the ball, before it bounces or is touched by another player (opponent or team mate).

Australian Rules Football is a full contact sport (without padding or helmets). Players may tackle, bump or push opposing players in order to get a loose ball, providing the contact is not above the shoulders, in the back or below the knees. Breaking those rules will incur a free kick to the opposing team.

The game is played over four 20 minute quarters, but the clock is stopped when the ball goes out of bounds (or the playing area). So most quarters last for around thirty minutes. Unlike American Football, the game is free flowing and doesnt stop, meaning players must be in top physical shape in order to run out a game.

Today Australian rules football is the most popular spectator sport in Australia[5][6] and is played extensively with competitions in all Australian states and two territories. While it is a professional sport only in Australia, it is played at amateur level in several countries and in several variations. The most prestigious and only national competition in Australia is the Australian Football League (AFL), which culminates in the annual AFL Grand Final, the highest attended club championship event in the world in 2007.[7] The league has governed the sport through the AFL Commission and the AFL Rules Committee, since it disbanded the Australian National Football Council in 1993 and International Australian Football Council in 2002.

Thats the basic definition of Australian Rules, and here's a link that goes a little bit further for those interested. Currently the game is only played proffesionally in Australia, but there are many amatuer leagues across several other countries including the united states. At the moment the AFL (Australian Rules Football League) is looking to introducing the game into other countries, and is possibly looking to set up semi-proffesional leagues in countries such as Ireland, England and South Africa.

For those of you still confused, here's a couple of youtube links you may find interesting (particularly if you like big hits )

www.youtube.com...

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www.youtube.com...

www.youtube.com...

So now you guys dont have to ask








[edit on 27/9/2008 by OzWeatherman]

I am sorry Oz. I don't like to disagree with you, but personally Gay F L does not compare to Rugby League. Big hits? Watch the NRL grand Final next week, or any of the State of Origin games.
Sure the oversized wondering ping pong is getting bid in Aust, but for world wide recognition, League has it all over you.
Like you said though...Just my opinion....

Originally posted by VIKINGANT
I am sorry Oz. I don't like to disagree with you, but personally Gay F L does not compare to Rugby League. Big hits? Watch the NRL grand Final next week, or any of the State of Origin games.
Sure the oversized wondering ping pong is getting bid in Aust, but for world wide recognition, League has it all over you.
Like you said though...Just my opinion....

Hey?

I didnt start this thread about which sport was better, frankly I dont give a damn about league, being Perth born and bred and all....but you are right, league is more popular on a world scale.

I do agree rugby has bigger hits, but AFL doesnt have its shortage either

Sorry Oz,
I just couldn't help myself...Being NSW born and bred I felt it had to be said. Now I do ned to redeem myself.
I do have to admit, watching AFL live, it is an exciting game. When it is televised it does the game no justice. I have seen the Loins play quite a few time at the Gabba.
For those curious about the game go to see it played live to get the full experience. I am not converted, but I do "like to watch"

reply to post by OzWeatherman


pfft Aerial ping pong in tight shorts

sorry id have to agree with vikingant NRL

go teh Tigers !!!!!

/my bad, sorry OzWeatherman

Now see what you have gone and done Oz by stating "The Best Sport in The World". If you said "An education in Aussie rules" that would be different....

Demandred,
Tigers were OK when they were the Magpies....
Go the Bunnies for '09

[edit on 29/9/2008 by VIKINGANT]