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Living in Melbourne is amazing. But if you don’t follow AFL then you just aren’t with the masses. Here is a sample conversation with the average sports goer in Melbourne:
Stranger: Hey mate, how’s it hanging?
Me: Quite well, yourself?
Stranger: All good mate. Who do you go for?
Me: Which sport?
Stranger: AFL, of course. Ya drongo!
Whilst obviously most sports fans aren’t like this, and do not have a broad southern accent/lingo, Victoria is very much an AFL mad state. Like rugby league in NSW, it is No.1. But if you can’t get your head around the game, there are many other alternatives to crave your sport fix.
First of all, rugby league. Melbourne Storm is the name; winning is their game. The trophy cabinet might have been raided by Gallop but their passion is still there, and they came oh so close to what would have been a fourth grand final in five years.
If you need your sport fix now, then perhaps try football (soccer) in the form of the A-League. Choose which corner you are in, either the Victory (blue) or the Heart (red) and support away up until April next year. And with Harry Kewell in town, there’s no better time to jump on the bandwagon.
Perhaps you are scared of seeing no goals scored. Then maybe basketball might be a better fix. The NBL season has just kicked off, and with the Melbourne Tigers have arguably one of Australia’s best players in Patty Mills. The livewire point guard had an outstanding debut and will no doubt put on a show for the masses.
With the Rugby World Cup coming to a conclusion in the next few weeks, an Australian victory would do wonders for the sport down under. The Super Rugby season doesn’t start until late February next season, but with Wallabies starting backs James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale joining the Melbourne Rebels, it will be well worth the wait.
Horse racing, also. It’s spring time, after all, which means fashion, fillies and all round fun. Melbourne is the home of the Spring Racing Carnival, culminating in the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November. There are, however, many other fantastic days on the calendar which make spring one of the best times of the year. Who knows? Your odds might come up as well.
Tennis, of course, comes in the new year. It isn’t summer without the Australian Open. And the 2012 edition is expected to have extra attention due to the recent success of Samantha Stosur, and the emergence of Bernard Tomic. The men’s draw may have only three players that can win it (sorry Murray) but try picking a winner in the women’s draw.
Cricket is considered to be a part of Aussie culture, and a Boxing Day Test against India will be sure to pack out the ‘G once again. But this summer sees something unprecedented in Australian cricket: a domestic competition which involves cities, not states.
Likewise with Sydney, there will be two Melbourne teams. The Renegades, featuring Shahid Afridi, Brad Hodge and Shaun Tait; and the Stars, featuring Cameron White, David Hussey and Peter Siddle. Choose your favourite Victorian (good luck, Bill Lawry) and from there choose your team and watch the sixes roll.
That isn’t enough sports, I hear you say? Well, I’ll just quickly run off the other options you have in Melbourne.
Netball. Melbourne Vixens compete against other Australian and New Zealand teams. Season doesn’t start until late March next year, but there is a Test match against fierce rivals New Zealand later this month.
Motorsport. Formula One obviously not until March next year, but the MotoGP is on this weekend at Phillip Island. Go down and see if Casey Stoner can dominate the Island once more. If you prefer four wheels to two, then the V8 Supercars hit Sandown in late November.
Cycling. The Herald Sun Tour has just kicked off, and the final stage sees the riders tackle Lygon St for the fast and furious circuit race. Spills will follow the riders along Little Italy and all of its heritage.
Ice hockey. Yes, you heard me. Ice hockey. It exists and It has been developing quite the cult following. Mostly Canadian ex-pats but many Australian faces as well. The Melbourne Ice won the 2011 championship in front of a full crowd at the Icehouse in Docklands – well worth checking out next year if you have a vague interest in the sport.
There, that should keep you going for a while. And who do I go for in the AFL? Well, Brisbane Lions!
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