Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHONTime for everybody to get involved in Aussie Rules football. This weekend, the Australian Football League finals series gets under way and I thought since more than 95 per cent of my readers are from overseas, I'd ask you to``choose'' a team to follow through the series. Yes, that includes you, too, Dawn, Bart, Dan and Brian!
As an interesting aside, there are three ex-Aussie Rules players in NFL teams - Ben Graham with the New York Jets, Mat McBriar with the Dallas Cowboys and of course Saverio Rocco, who will take the field this weekend for the Philadelphia Eagles.
After 22 rounds of the home-and-away series, only the top eight teams now face off in the quest for the Grand Final. The first four teams are safe this week, but a loss this weekend for at least two teams ranked 5-8 is a slippery slide to oblivion. The eight teams and their stats are listed below. Come on. Embrace Aussie Rules. Let me know which team you're choosing ....
Geelong Cats: 18 wins,72 points
Port Adelaide: 15 wins, 60 points
West Coast Eagles: 15 wins, 60 points
Kangaroos: 14 wins, 56 points
Hawthorn Hawks: 13 wins, 52 points
Collingwood Magpies: 13 wins, 52 points
Sydney Swans: 12 wins, 1 draw, 50 points
Adelaide Crows: 12 wins, 48 points
Click here: Pentax K100D, Shutter speed 1/60, F6.7, ISO speed 200.
34 comments:
i'm going to choose the kangaroos, mostly because of their name. i'm also sending my husband over to check out your blog and choose a team. we just started getting aussie rules football on the setanta channel, and it's our (his) new favorite channel.
oh, and p.s. i added you to my blog roll.
Aussie Aussie Aussie!
OY OY OY!
Aussie Aussie!
OY OY!
Aussie!
Oy!
Did I get it right??
How bout them West Coast Eagles! (I like eagles and happen to see lots round here!)
Growing up as a soccer player in the U.S. prepared me to embrace a multitude of sports. With the addition of Setanta Sports as mentioned by my wife, I have enjoyed my fair share of soccer and rugby matches. But, what I find myself really jonesing for these days is a good, high impact, intense Aussie Rules Footbal match. The Aussies have it right on this one. Not as methodical and grinding as rugby, it still maintains the raw collisions. Better drama and goal scoring than soccer. Scoring is still meaningful unlike basketball which happens too often. The rules are not too complicated like American football. And, still great to watch on t.v. (unlike hockey)while I am sure going to the match is even better. My hats off to the Aussies for their sport. I am pulling for Port Adelaide who walloped the other team in the last match I was blessed to see!
You may enjoy this
Hey, thanks for the advise on the camera. I think even on that setting it recommends using a tripod. I just miss the ease of the old Stylus. That kids camera was cool. I'd like to know what kind it was. Had a huge view screen on the back, and could take black and white shots. Point and shoot, with no delay. Thanks again.
G'day Michal,
Yee-ha - you're the first person to adopta team. Thank you for getting into the spirit of it.
Great to hear you're sending your husband over to my blog as well. Thanks for the warm welcome.
Tell me: I guess you're getting the games live on Setanta, right? And probably on a delayed telecast as well, because of the time difference?
Thank you for adding me to your blogroll. Do keep in touch.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Colleen,
Wow - how on earth did you know that? You sure did get it right - but you need to work on your West Coast accent!!
Them Eagles is a mighty fine side. They've been in the last two Grand Finals. Great side, lots of pedigree.
Keep smiling
David
G'day Jared,
Wonderful to hear from you and I'm always interested in the views of a sportsman. I used to be a sportwriter (you might enjoy my post about six weeks ago of how I got to interview Bjorn Borg immediately after he retired - in Kathmandu of all places!) so your views really interest me.
You're so right about the scoring, too - and it is such a physically demanding sport.
It is an amazing sport to watch live, among 80-90 thousand people. In fact, my novel starts with a short description of a (fictional) Grand Final.
Great to hear you're going for Port Power. They've had an amazing year, snapping Geelong's streak with a goal in the last six seconds.
Cheers, mate and do keep in touch.
Keep smiling
David
G'day FHB,
No worries at al. The more sensitive the new cameras are, the more they need a tripod. You'll always get some shake in the image, simply because of the slow shutter speed.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Sue,
Really enjoyed that link - it's the Sinclair's travel agency wall near the music store and fire station, right?
Keep smiling
David
i'm torn between choosing the eagles because i am a philadelphia eagles fan for american football (well, if you can call anyone who actually ignores the game a fan) and the adelaide crows because they have the worst record and i am a sucker for an underdog...hhmm...then again i know the west coast of australia is fairly remote and isolated so maybe they could use an extra fan or two....ok, put me down for the west coast eagles. what about darwin or melbourne are there teams there?
thanks for adding me as a link too, i'm honored. i've got you on my feed service and once i get around to updating my sidebar (several things to fix there) you'll be added as well.
oh wait you did say this was the finals, n/m the question about darwin and melbourne....i am working on too little sleep here. pay no mind to the lime behind the curtain. go eagles!
G'day Lime,
Darwin doesn't have a team in the League yet. The Kangaroos, Collingwood and Hawthorn are all Melbourne teams. But the Eagles will be delighted to have you in their nest.
Thank you so much for getting into the spirit of this. Really appreciate it.
Thanks so much for putting my blog on your feed.
Have a great Friday and I hope you catch up on some sleep. Oh - I forgot - we're parents, so we don't need any sleep at all!
Keep smiling
David
Ah and the time approaches again for the start of the festival of the boot, Roy and hg, the two greatest sports commentators in the world.
G'day Your Eminence,
Could not agree with you more. Roy and HG are right up there with the best of 'em.
I do like their work.
Keep smiling
David
Ok, David. Not a single clue who anyone is or what odds are in whose favor but... how about... Port Adelaide. (Please tell me they aren't "the team everyone loves to hate...")
I will side with the Crows. Because they are the obvious 'dogs, and because Crows and Ravens are cousins.
I say, old chap, there's nothing quite as dignified as a Magpie. Splendid!
(are they more like Heckles or Jeckles?)
Man, ESPN used to show Aussie rules when I was an adolescent....of course, they also used to show pro wrestling, so....
OK, it's not in my general nature to choose a favorite - I much prefer underdogs - but Brian already took my first choice (The Magpies) so I'll root for The Cats.
I wish I could see some of the games :-( As I told you before, I really enjoyed the sport when ESPN used to carry it here in the USA.
I'm a big fan of crows (the birds) so can I root for them too?
Go Crows! woo-hoo!
Since I have an aunt who lives in Enmore, N.S.W. I guess I have to pick the Sydney Swans,although I think Adelaide will win. I used to watch Aussie Football when ESPN aired it some years ago and really liked what I saw.
Gotta go with the Sydney Swans. Namely becuase I grew up in Sidney Iowa.
Go Swans!!!
Hoo wares blu an blak stripes? I'll serpport them. My football teem, Gillingham, ware blu an blak stripes sumtimes. Or blu and wite. But I like the blu an blak best.
:@}
That was supposed to say Port Adelaide
Hi Dawn,
I deliberately didn't provide the betting odds! No, Port Adelaide aren't the team everybody loves to hate.
Thanks for entering into the spirit of Aussie Rules - and Port stole a great victory against West Coast in a come-from-behind win on Friday night.
Keep smiling
David
G'day Bart,
They're a gusty side, but as I write this, it is a few hours after they got mugged by Collingwood.
Keep smiling
David
I say Brian, old chap,
My butler has just brought me the jolly tidings that Collingwood have put the Crows to the sword.
Good choice ....
Keep smiling
David
Hi Suldog,
They are looking good at the moment, despite their eecent loss to Port. They play this afternoon.
Intrigued that ESPN used to cover Aussie Rules - aparently India gets to watch Aussie Rules live as well.
And Setanta now covers Aussie Rules in the States ...
Keep smiling
David
Hi Victorya,
They got done over by Collingwood last night, so did you want to change your pick?
Keep smiling
David
Hi whodatdare,
Wow, a lot of people who read this blog have Aussie relatives ...
When was the last time you visited Enmore?
Keep smiling
David
Hi Deborah,
Sydney got done yesterday in a turnaround in fortunes. The Hawks were in front, then Sydney took the lead an Hawthorn stole it just seconds from the end.
I didn;t know there was a Sidney in Iowa, but ya learn something every day!
Keep smiling
David
Hi BTbear,
Geelong are dark blue and white horizontal stripes, Kangaroos are medium blue and white vertical stripes.
Both good choices.
Keep smiling
David
Hi whodatdare,
Good thing you clarief that, because the Crows got done yesterday.
Keep smiling
David
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