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“What’s so good about men kicking and throwing a ball to each other?” It’s a question I occasionally get asked at school.
My best answer is, “You have to look at it as if it is a problem that needs to be solved.
“How will the team with the ball get it from here (the centre square/opposition goal square) to here (the goals), with the other team doing their best to stop them?
“It is what makes the game interesting, as there are limited ways of physically moving the ball from one player to another.”
But rather than the game itself, AFL matters because it plays a vital role in thousands of people’s lives.
Imagine an Australian winter without AFL? It’s impossible. Footy plays a large part in every fan’s life, passionate or not.
AFL is an escape. It is easy to put everything to the back of the mind when you go to the footy and be possessed by passion, barracking hard for your beloved team. It’s also therapeutic to watch a blockbuster when you are not aligned with either team.
When someone walks into any football club or attends any game, they immediately become part of a family. It’s a sense of belonging you would struggle to find anywhere else.
That’s why there are ‘band wagoners’, fans who only want to go watch their team when they are winning. They want to have fun, not get angry, stressed and depressed. It’s natural to be more attracted somewhere that has entertainment value.
So what’s the point of playing Aussie Rules?
First of all, you keep fit. Secondly, the sense of belonging becomes greater. During the season blood, sweat and tears are shed with your teammates. A football team becomes something similar to family, which is why there are so many reunions held in footy circles.
Playing AFL is also an escape, as the game receives your undivided attention.
Without footy, some people would just be lost. The game can create rivalries within families yet brings communities together. Australia’s game creates the ultimate companionship among strangers even if the weather is miserable.
Footy is important due to the joy it brings to so many individuals around Australia.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.