As a long-time casual fan (back in the ESPN days, I decided to root for Fitzroy, so it’s not been a good last few years), I’d picked up most of what you explained but by no means all of it. Thank you for filling in some rather large gaps in my knowledge of the game and its history and traditions. Read more

Another unique thing, at least with the AFL (carried over from VFL days), is the father-son rule, which allow clubs ‘first dibs’ on a prospect whose father has played a particular amount of games with one or more clubs. Read more

This a great article. I already enjoy the game, but now that I know a bit more it means a bit more. I loved learning about the 100/1000/goat fan swarm, what a great tradition, looks to have been done with joy and respect. Read more

Great post. Might I suggest a follow up: The Complete Guide to the Men of Australian Rules Football. I’m gonna need a lot of pictures to really understand this difficult topic. Read more

It’s much harder for a kangaroo to jump on top of someone’s head when they’re already on top of someone else’s shoulders.
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Just watched the highlight illustrating the kick after the siren. The second one, what a call. “They might be 12th on the ladder, but pride in the jumper means more than the four points!” Outstanding. Read more

First time I saw a footy match was when I did a short stint in Perth before returning to the US. I fucking loved it. Loved the atmosphere at the Subiaco Oval and Josh Kennedy’s weird stutter kick thing. When I got back, I realized I could catch matches on DirecTV (on one of the FOX Sports channels) so I’ve been… Read more

The condensed version - it’s like soccer, but you can use hands, no offside rule and bigger goals. The only field sport where you can drop the ball and it’s play on
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Huge footy fan. My first match in person was back in 1993 at the MCG with a group of Essendon supporters. It was against Carlton and their star, Stephen Kernahan, marked just before the siren. The game was tied 132-132 and Kernahan was sure to win it with his ensuing free kick. He shanked it off the side of his boot… Read more

All that matters is the awesome flag routine the refs have when someone scores. Read more

Don’t they have a thing where the ten fastest dudes have a foot race for some sort of prize money? Read more

I DVR 2 or 3 games a week focusing on the top of the ladder teams and I love this game! Kinda like Smear the Queer we played as little kids Read more

Now if we can get a similar article for hurling. (No, not that kind.)

Erin Phillips, aka WNBAer Erin Phillips plays Aussie Rules Football? Read more

The most efficient way I’ve described AFL to American men aged 30-50 is to imagine an equal combination of Kill the Man With the Ball and 500, and you’re 90% of the way there. Read more

Don’t forget that the goal umpires wave flags after they do finger guns

Thanks for this, understanding the rules will be especially helpful when I go to Australia this summer and meet m
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At what point does the guy cram his finger up another players asshole? Or am i thinking of rugby?
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I had a m8 try to explain the rules to me one drunken evening and she didn’t take, this will be much more hopefully. Good on ya. Read more