At least the NRL have stuck to the SOO concept Rowdy. Its become the pinnacle of the NRL season. We could argue about whether AFL should reintroduce the SOO series but unfortunately the horse has bolted. More is the pity. I saw a lot of SANFL finals series but the SOO matches down at Footy Park in West Lakes were the best games I've ever seen.
It's another essential skill but it does require strength. Having the skill to pass the ball while being tackled is a sublime skill. Tackling is also an essential skill where there is a difference between AF and the rugby codes. AF players need to be long distance runners.
Speed is essential and players must weigh up the need for speed when bulking up. The backs, especially the halves need to be quick off the mark to accelerate through a gap. Steve Morris was one of the fastest I've seen. It was great to see him running in for a try without a South Sydney hand getting near him.
You should try kicking a ball 50 metres, whilst sprinting, to a team mate who is also sprinting, and the ball has to land within a 1 metre diameter or it will be cut off by the opposition. Much more skillful than a 3 metre throw.
They throw the ball 3 metres to a team mate who is usually running, before accelerating, so the ball carrier must make instantaneous calculations. You often see wingers running for the corner before they get the ball causing the passer to throw it forward.
yeah im not so sure fans flock to see AFL live because its such an exciting spectacle. Too many one sided games for that to be the case....
League has some problems though and the continued dominance of the Storm and Roosters has to be turning people off. But there is a huge gap between the top 6 or so sides and the rest right now.
I remember 1975, 1978, 1982 and 1984 SANFL GFs the best.
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And SOO years were fabulous.
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Whilst we’re doing all the ‘thanking’ l never hear many RL fans thank AF for the SOO concept.
You don't understand, League is a possession game and Aussie is territory game. The ball coming out adds to the excitement involved in the contest of the ball. The ball is the object in AF and the man is the object in RL.
You’re right Rowdy – and I’ll say it again – they are entirely different games – its a pointless argument trying to suggest that one is better than the other. I followed the AFL closely for years and then gravitated to the NRL. It just happened.
AFL is still a great game even though its not the game I used to follow – it was refreshing to see a young Crows side get up over the more experienced Cats team on the weekend. But I miss the sublime skills of the greats who used to play the game. I use Youtube to help me remember how good the game used to be – including some of epic State of Origin matches and old SANFL finals matches.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
That’s because they’re much more skilled than the throwball players
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
You're a half-national hero in RL if you take a 25m cut-out whereas a 50 kick to the hands, in AF, is barely out of the ordinary
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
At least the NRL have stuck to the SOO concept Rowdy. Its become the pinnacle of the NRL season. We could argue about whether AFL should reintroduce the SOO series but unfortunately the horse has bolted. More is the pity. I saw a lot of SANFL finals series but the SOO matches down at Footy Park in West Lakes were the best games I've ever seen.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It's another essential skill but it does require strength. Having the skill to pass the ball while being tackled is a sublime skill. Tackling is also an essential skill where there is a difference between AF and the rugby codes. AF players need to be long distance runners.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Speed is essential and players must weigh up the need for speed when bulking up. The backs, especially the halves need to be quick off the mark to accelerate through a gap. Steve Morris was one of the fastest I've seen. It was great to see him running in for a try without a South Sydney hand getting near him.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
You should try kicking a ball 50 metres, whilst sprinting, to a team mate who is also sprinting, and the ball has to land within a 1 metre diameter or it will be cut off by the opposition. Much more skillful than a 3 metre throw.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
They throw the ball 3 metres to a team mate who is usually running, before accelerating, so the ball carrier must make instantaneous calculations. You often see wingers running for the corner before they get the ball causing the passer to throw it forward.
Randy
Roar Rookie
yeah im not so sure fans flock to see AFL live because its such an exciting spectacle. Too many one sided games for that to be the case.... League has some problems though and the continued dominance of the Storm and Roosters has to be turning people off. But there is a huge gap between the top 6 or so sides and the rest right now.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I remember 1975, 1978, 1982 and 1984 SANFL GFs the best. —— And SOO years were fabulous. —— Whilst we’re doing all the ‘thanking’ l never hear many RL fans thank AF for the SOO concept.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And Matty Johns says it so innocentlyt. He's as wooden as Nicole Kidman.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The first game of Rugby League was entirely the same rules as Rugby Union except the players got paid. It wasn't invented at all.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Yes Handball is what makes Aussie Rules unique.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
You guys can start 6 weeks ahead by season's end you'd still have a huge deficit in crowd numbers.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
You don't understand, League is a possession game and Aussie is territory game. The ball coming out adds to the excitement involved in the contest of the ball. The ball is the object in AF and the man is the object in RL.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
You’re right Rowdy – and I’ll say it again – they are entirely different games – its a pointless argument trying to suggest that one is better than the other. I followed the AFL closely for years and then gravitated to the NRL. It just happened. AFL is still a great game even though its not the game I used to follow – it was refreshing to see a young Crows side get up over the more experienced Cats team on the weekend. But I miss the sublime skills of the greats who used to play the game. I use Youtube to help me remember how good the game used to be – including some of epic State of Origin matches and old SANFL finals matches.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Plus Agnetha and Anna-Frida are prettier than anyone AC/DC came up with.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Walter objectivity appears to be not your strong point.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I look at RL and want to send every player a 10kg block of Laxettes because it looks so constipated.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But AF is based on territory not possession. The ball loose, under opposition pressure, is a feature not a flaw. I know you know both games.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
They are an ellipse not circular! Specsavers are not as good as good as OPSM?