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Post by grunty on May 13, 2006 13:30:50 GMT 11
is it like soccer or what?
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Post by Arctic Firefox on May 13, 2006 13:40:01 GMT 11
Nothing like it. At all. Soccer is utterly, utterly boring when compared to AFL. Here, go to: afl.com.auIf you have broadband, watch the Free Video (right-hand side of screen). It will give you an idea of how the game is played. This week, the feature is "best marks". (Stop watching when the ad comes up.) |
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Post by grunty on May 13, 2006 14:02:36 GMT 11
dont have whatever it takes to run the video. what is it? like rugby more likely?
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Post by Squirt on May 13, 2006 14:05:36 GMT 11
From Wikipedia.... "Australian football, also known as Australian rules football or less formally as "Aussie rules" or simply as "football" or "footy", is a code of football that originated in Melbourne, Australia. The game is played between two teams of 18 players (plus interchange players) on cricket ovals or similar-sized grassed arenas that vary in size and may be up to 185 metres (200 yards) long; these are much larger (almost four times the area) than those used by other codes of football. The game is also distinguished from other games by the fast, relatively free, movement of the ball (partly due to the absence of an offside rule) and the awarding of a free kick for any mark (clean catch) of a ball that has been kicked more than 15 metres. Spectacular high marks or "speccies", tackles and fast fluid play are the game's main attributes as a spectator sport." "Both the ball and the field of play are oval in shape. No more than 18 players of each team are permitted to be on the field at any time. Up to four interchange (reserve) players may be swapped for those on the field at any time during the game. There is no offside rule nor are there set positions in the rules—unlike many other forms of football—players from both teams disperse across the whole field before the start of play. The ball can be propelled in any direction by way of a foot, clenched fist (called a handball or handpass) or open-hand tap (unlike rugby football there is no knock-on rule) but it cannot be thrown under any circumstances. Throwing is defined in the rules quite broadly but is essentially any open hand disposal that causes the ball to move upward in the air. A player may run with the ball but it must be bounced or touched on the ground at least every 15 metres (throwing down to bounce it is allowed). Opposition players may bump or tackle the player to obtain the ball and, when tackled, the player must dispose of the ball cleanly or risk being penalised for holding the ball. If a player takes possession of the ball that has travelled more than 15 metres from another player's kick, by way of a catch, it is claimed as a mark and that player may then have a free kick (meaning that that the game stops while he prepares to kick from the point at which he marked). There are different styles of kicking depending on how the ball is held in the hand of which punt (the ball is held about or below the waist and the foot comes up to it) or drop punt (the ball is thrown forward and down, almost to the ground, to be kicked) are two. Apart from free kicks or when the ball is in the possession of an umpire for a ball up or throw in the ball is always in dispute and any player from either side can take possession of the ball." To find out more about the rules of AFL footy (scoring etc.) click here There is also more info about the rules of the game here |
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Post by Arctic Firefox on May 14, 2006 1:37:50 GMT 11
Well, that was disappointing. Funny how in each of Hawthorn's losses, an opposing forward has kicked 8 goals. Maybe if we keep the next one to 7 we might win?  Still, at least Williams will remain top of the Coleman Medal race!  |
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Post by Squirt on May 14, 2006 1:41:56 GMT 11
Seems I may have jinxed you again AF ;D I do believe I have a gift! If only I could use it for good instead of evil |
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Post by Arctic Firefox on May 14, 2006 1:51:47 GMT 11
Be careful what you jinx ... Adelaide are playing North Melbourne at the Telstra Dome tomorrow ... exactly one week to the time and place that Thompson kicked a bag ... the Kangaroos may well want to stage a replay of that ...  (John Lennon's "Instant Karma" starts playing in the background. ) |
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Post by Squirt on May 14, 2006 2:02:42 GMT 11
I'm a bit worried about the Kangaroos (Not North Melbourne! tsk tsk  ) Hopefully we can get over them. Karma Shmarma! Hehe, I'm sorry, but I just love the fact that Hawthorn lost! And to Brisbane of all teams! Mwa ha ha!!! ;D |
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Post by Arctic Firefox on May 14, 2006 2:10:03 GMT 11
Not North Melbourne? Well, they'd better change their club song then, because that still talks about "North Melbourne". And don't they still have their headquarters at Arden Street? Sounds like North Melbourne to me! Actually, I think Brisbane will improve significantly now they've dropped Akermanis - the team will be more united for it. You see, if there's one thing I learned in Europe, it's that being over-competitive is a waste of energy. I'm quite willing to put up with losses here and there, because I know there are several rookies on the sidelines (Thurgood, Dowler, Ellis, etc.) who will be amazingly good players in a few years time (along with others like Williams, Mitchell, Hodge, Franklin, Roughead and Guerra, all of whom still need to reach their prime), and then you'll be quivering with fear each time Hawthorn plays Adelaide!  |
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Post by Squirt on May 14, 2006 2:19:43 GMT 11
Quivering with fear! lol, I don't take my footy THAT seriously, but Adelaide have some great youngies coming up, who still haven't reached their prime too... Vince, Bock, Jericho, Porplyzia, Reilly, Rutton, Van Berlo, and Maric! They dropped the name North Melbourne years ago when they first started playing in Canberra I think but didn't change the song because they'd probably lose the few supporters they have if they changed too much and they're probably still at Arden Street because they couldnt afford anything better Edit: Are you calling me over-competitive?  |
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Post by Arctic Firefox on May 14, 2006 2:44:45 GMT 11
Why, do you feel spoken to? No, I'm just pointing out that patience is always the key when you support a team full of youngsters with little experience. You win some, you lose some. Eventually, we'll start winning more. So I don't become too upset about losing. Though it is annoying when you paid money to sit and watch the match! But hey, we're still in the top eight, so things aren't that bad! |
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Post by Squirt on May 14, 2006 2:59:19 GMT 11
Alright, so yeah, I could be a little bit more competitive than some , but my competitiveness makes footy so much more exciting! Especially when we win ;D Two years ago the Crows hardly won a game, everyone predicted that we wouldnt even make the top 8 in 2005 and we topped the ladder at the end of the Premiership season! That's what I love about AFL footy, with the salary cap and the draft eventually everyone gets a go at the top ;D |
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Post by Arctic Firefox on May 14, 2006 3:04:21 GMT 11
God yeah, I'm so glad we haven't become like soccer with those ridiculous salaries. And those soccer players can't even kick goals! While look at how many goals the AFL lads kick! |
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Post by Squirt on May 14, 2006 3:11:29 GMT 11
Totally agree with you there Imagine watching an AFL game where only one goal was kicked for the whole game, there'd be riots! Hmmm, in soccer they DO have riots, perhaps there is a connection... |
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Post by Arctic Firefox on May 14, 2006 3:20:55 GMT 11
There has to be something wrong with soccer. After all, how many other sports can you think of where supporters of the playing teams need to be separated by tall fences? And even then, it doesn't stop some hooligans from hurling things at each other. When I went to the Docklands last weekend, I was sitting in a dominantly Hawthorn area but there were still many North Melb... uh, Kangaroos supporters around. Not once did I think a fight was ever going to break out. Perhaps there are also socio-economic reasons attached; some soccer fans in England literally live for the game, and have nothing else to look forward to in their lives. Sad, really. And on that note, I shall have to go and get some sleep. Good night, and CARN THE HAWKS! |
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Post by Squirt on May 14, 2006 19:15:34 GMT 11
Top of the ladder! |
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Post by Min on May 15, 2006 11:43:07 GMT 11
PMSL, so, I doubled my usual score, and I'm still up for the wooden spoon! Huzzuh!!
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Post by Rilla on May 15, 2006 12:15:49 GMT 11
Go Min! *mutters about Brisbane Lions* |
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Post by Arien on May 16, 2006 22:05:44 GMT 11
*joins Rilla's muttering*
And HA! all those critics who wrote off Sydney...  we're now in 5th position! soon to be 4th as we pummel the bulldogs, bwahahaha ...I hope 
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Post by Squirt on May 19, 2006 23:43:43 GMT 11
The Hawks aren't looking too good at the moment
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Post by Arctic Firefox on May 20, 2006 3:13:11 GMT 11
I know; it was a disappointing performance.
Frankly, I had hoped that the return of Crawford and Jacobs would lift the side and that we would, at the very least, do better than last week, but it seems that without Croad, we have no one reliable on the half-forward line, which makes life very difficult. Also, we're putting way too much pressure on Mark Williams. This is probably why he's missing those shots. Dixon really has to fire up and present himself as a second option down forward. Even better, he should move to centre half-forward until Croad returns.
By the way, what is all this rubbish about Williams being "small", "pint-sized", etc, and therefore somehow not really the most desirable full-forward around? Jason Dunstall, one of the best full-forwards ever, was only 8cm taller than Williams! Really, that's not a big difference! The only aspect of his game that Williams needs to improve upon is that he should probably put on some muscle so that he can outbody his opponents. Other than that, I see nothing wrong with him!
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Post by Squirt on May 20, 2006 22:11:58 GMT 11
The Crows played a pretty shocking game too, what was it you said about karma AF? |
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Post by Arctic Firefox on May 21, 2006 2:14:03 GMT 11
Hey! I never jinxed you! I just pointed out the dangers of jinxing others, which you chose to ignore. I can't help that! But I wasn't pleased to see Adelaide lose either: my tips are a disaster zone this weekend. On the flip side, one of my friends is a Richmond supporter so it was good to see him surprised, especially considering last week's humiliation. |
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Post by Rilla on May 21, 2006 21:57:16 GMT 11
I think I'm going to have to return to my "tip-against-the-Hawks-and-they-will-win" tactic...
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Post by Min on May 22, 2006 16:25:00 GMT 11
*whistles the Lions theme song happily* Yay I got 6 again...!!
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Still, at least Williams will remain top of the Coleman Medal race! 
) Hopefully we can get over them. 
we're now in 5th position! soon to be 4th as we pummel the bulldogs, bwahahaha 
