The Great Australian Pass Time

Last night I experienced my first every game of footy, Aussie rules, Australian Rules Football, the game has many names, and many rules (or so it seemed).

Now, before I begin, I will insert a humble brag here. I'm not a complete novice to the game of footy. Back in Grade 9, we had a couple Aussies come to Oakridge, and, to the delight of a cluster of 15 year old girls, teach us how to play their sacred game. As their final lesson, they hosted a kicking competition, and yours truly walked away with the grand prize. But after that first taste of victory, I put my footy cleats on the shelf, and decided to leave it to the professionals. It's only fair to everyone else.

Aussie rules is probably closest resembles rugby, although I don't I have enough knowledge of either sport to really support that claim. It is played with a footy, and on a round field with four posts at either end.
We went to see North Melbourne vs Adelaide, and as per the two guys behind us "both teams suck", so we were "just [there] for fun". Works for us!

In actuality, the basic game isn't so hard to understand. Both teams goal is to score by kicking the ball through the goal posts at the other end. If kicked through the goal posts (middle two) without being touched by another player it is worth 6 points; if it kicked through the outer or "behind" posts without being touched it is worth 1 point. The game consists of 4 quarters, each 20 minutes long.  (for full rules click here).

After being in the game for two quarters with no idea whatsoever of what was a foul, or a goal; what to cheer for and what to boo, we just sat back and listened to the fans for direction.

Footy fans are on emotional par with hockey fans in Canada, American football in USA, and occasionally reach the emotion of European soccer fans. One things for sure, Aussies are equally ready to let the opposing team, as well as their own know when they've made an error of judgement.

Perhaps one of the nicest surprises of the night was getting there with our general admission tickets, and being told GA for footy is right up near the field. We sat three rows back from the field for less than $30. Not too shabby! Had we not eaten ahead of time, I would have had enough left in the budget to indulge in a classic Australian delicacy: meat pies. But alas, gotta save some experiences for tomorrow.

In the end only one team could win, and at the eleventh hour North Melbourne rallied and brought the win home. Go Kanagroos!