Yep, that’s me, I’m the AFL idiot.
Before last weekend, I had never seen an Aussie rules game. It must be mentioned, however, that I’m British, and I can confidently say that very few Brits have settled down for an AFL match.
So that’s exactly what I did on Sunday, watching Fremantle vs Collingwood, and here are an AFL idiot’s thoughts from that fixture and the sport in general.
The first two things I wrote down on my notepad were both questions: why is the pitch so big and, wait a minute, what did the guy on the sidelines just do?
The first can be answered with the response that the pitch has to accommodate all those players, but whose idea was it to have 18 per side? The second is in reference to the unique way in which the ball re-enters the field of play and led me to ask how difficult is the skill to do and how many people can throw the ball in that way?
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
I will now digress to what I took from the game’s kicking. Surely territory is of no concern with a pitch that size and are there designated kickers, or can everyone kick well? Also, I wondered, for a game where kicking is so integral and where there are so many players, there were very few attempted charge-downs compared to a sport such as rugby union.
In addition, teams seemed calm having the ball so close to their own posts, and I found myself begging, “Kick it out!”
Passing also took up a lot of my attention during the game. Passing only seems necessary when you’re in danger of losing the ball, as several passes will get you nowhere on a cricket pitch. I saw the occasional ‘punch-pass’ and blamed the several handling errors on the pouring rain that day.
Something that occurs in nearly all team sports, positions, seems hard to navigate in Aussie rules. How does it work?
Another question I posed in my head was what abilities does the captain have? How much power does he wield and what makes a great AFL leader?
Scoring was my next topic, and Collingwood’s quick start gave me the opportunity to learn how it works. Six through the middle, one for the sides. Has anyone ever volleyed it on for six points and – I must ask – what is the history behind what the touch judge does when there’s a goal? It’s brilliant!
Leading on from scoring is one of my main takeaways from the game, the necessity to be clinical. In a wide and long pitch, quick counter-attacks can easily wreak havoc, as the Magpies proved in the second quarter. It seems you have to take your chances and pounce on your opponent’s mistakes more so than in other sports. Collingwood began to dictate the play, and at halftime I could not see Freemantle coming back.
So that’s a summary of what I thought of my first AFL game. I enjoyed the wacky and interesting sport, and could be watching some more games in the future.
I apologise for my lack of knowledge of the game’s vocabulary and other than that, thank you for reading an AFL idiot.
Danno
Roar Rookie
I know this is a very late reply , but that’s one of the best comments I’ve read on the roar
Joshua Makepeace
Roar Rookie
Thank you everyone for the response to this article, it was completely unexpected.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
What’s wrong with you, it’s Australia’s biggest sport. How that must clang your balls. And from states that only represent 45% of the population. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Willow
Roar Rookie
Even us diehard AFL supporters have no f@#$ing idea anymore...let alone the players.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I shall see em.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
You couldn't make up how bad he was last night on Q&A. As an amateur psychologist a very little part of me felt sorry for him
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Ha Naughty try to interpret International Union Ref decision. Its like Abdul Qadir doing a card trick in a darkened room
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
All over Australia Rowdy. I work with the SA & NT ones. I am in Katherine tonight Darwin yesterday. My colleague she looks after the NSW ones. Sheddders are seriously good eggs https://mensshed.org/find-a-shed/
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Where is it?
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
As in cooperate or I'll drive you (automative) somewhere and fix you up with with a cricket bat (woodwork) or my 9 iron (metalwork). I reckon you were a good teacher Rowdy PS I am doing a lot of work with Mens Sheds atm. You should see some of the beautiful productions
Nick
Roar Guru
Well I was born into the games, and played both. So I never needed to "acquaint" myself of them. Benefits of growing up in the Riverina is that you get fed a steady diet of both league and AFL. It's like being a French-Canadian. Bilingual from birth innit. You are not coached that possession is king. End of story. Rugby league is a game of shared possession. You WILL get possession. You WILL relinquish possession. What is important is where you have possession. No player is going to speculatively charge a ball down in the rugby's, particularly in rugby league, unless they've reasoned they are a chance to collect the ball. You haven't played. You haven't been coached. Take the lesson in good spirits.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I was in Downer's electorate for his first 3 terms. :crying:
Joshua Makepeace
Roar Rookie
I'm actually a football (the proper one) guy so even worse.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I've spent over 30 years acquainting myself with the games. Ofc, l see possession as King, players take the safety of a tackle to keep possession= King. They don't risk play n promote do they? ------ Clearly we see it differently
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
No worries, l taught, but not useless subjects like English and Maths. I taught real stuff like timber, metal, automotive and cooperation.
Joshua Makepeace
Roar Rookie
Appreciate that mate :thumbup:
Joshua Makepeace
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I'm pretty lucky that BT shows all the games here in the UK, it does pretty well with Australian sport (it also shows the A-League).
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Not in SA though. Although I couldn't help it and watched Alexander Downer on Q&A tonight. We have a lot to answer for
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Just wondering if proper noun should have a capital P. Sorry Rowds it late and my old boy was also a chalkie.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
You seem a keen student of sport Joshua. Your comments have more insight than anything you get on Bookface. Welcome