11/23/24
September 17, 2005
Swans into AFL Grand Final: For the unitiated, the Australian Football League Grand final is on next Saturday, and my beloved Sydney Swans have just booked their place. They haven't won it since 1933. Written off every season by the pundits, the Swans are far from glamorous and graceful - they are a blue collar tackling machine. This could be their year.
Good luck to your boys, owl, and I'll see if I can catch the match on Foxsoccer--they still show some AFL.
posted by billsaysthis at 06:45 PM on September 17, 2005
Who the hell is AFL? lol
posted by redsoxrgay at 12:57 PM on September 18, 2005
Who the hell is AFL Once described by an American sports journalist as "thirty six men copulating with a football". Still called "aerial ping pong" by people in the northern states (NSW and Queensland). Australia's indigenous football code, said to have originated from a mixture of Marn Grook, an Aboriginal game played in the western district of Victoria and Gaelic Football brought to these shores by Irish immigrants. Catch it if you can.
posted by owlhouse at 05:48 PM on September 18, 2005
What? Haven't the Swans sucked for, like, ever? When I'm asked to describe footy to North Americans (there's a Toronto-area league I played in for a few years), I described it as full-contact 18-a-side soccer, played on a cricket field with a rugby ball, where you can use your hands. (I know it's not a rugby ball, but there's nothing closer to compare it to.) MSG Network is picking up the highlights every week in the Northeast US, and the Grand Final is doubtless going to be on one of the Fox Channels. That would be cool if the Swans won.
posted by chicobangs at 06:50 PM on September 18, 2005
I watched the AFL for the first time about 10 years ago when Fox Sports World used it as 3:00 a.m. filler...guess they ran out of steak-knives-you-can-also-drive infomercials. I was really surprised how much I enojoyed watching it...what a great game! But wait...there's more! I had a similar reaction to Gaelic football which, if it were a sport played in the states, would have been my favorite particpation sport growing up, I'm sure. AF is full of action and broken limbs and must be near the top of the list of Fun Things Men Can Do With Their Shorts On. If you get a chance, watch this game. You won't be disappointed.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 11:59 AM on September 19, 2005
I remember TBS used to broadcast the AFL 20 years ago. Collingwood Ravens were on every week. A very exciting rough game back then. I have watched a few Adelaide matches the last few years but it seems pedestrian compared to the good ol head bustin days. Good Luck to your Swans. I'll watch if Kylie does the halftime show.