Aussie Rules

Xavi6

Seeing as there's no seperate section for one of the world's most exciting sports I thought it was about time it got a thread at least.

As an avid follower of the AFL on TG4 I was wondering if there is anyone else out there who has any preferences with regard to teams etc. I was born in Perth so naturally enough I'm a big West Coast Eagles fan. Also with Tadhg Kennelly and the O'hAilpin brothers over there I'm surprised there hasn't been more interest raised in the game.

Any thoughts welcome!!!

Revelation Joe

I've been watching it for about three years now. I support the Brisbane Lions a) because I had family in Bris for a while b) their colours are maroon and blue (very similar to West Ham who I supprot in soccer) and c) when it was shown on C4 years ago, I followed them as the Bears. It was a bit odd when I got back into it that there was no Fitzroy and Footscray!
Disappointed with the Akermanis situation, we could do with him but it seems that it's irretrievable...

One thing I wondered - who's the player that everyone loves to hate? For some reason, which I can't put my finger on, I can't stand Fraser Gehrig and Barry Hall
But I think Stephen Milne is brilliant along with Gary Ablett from Geelong and Daniel Wells, Aaron Davey and Eddie Betts.
Would like to see more of Setanta on TG4 but I guess while Carlton are not doing so well, we won't see them too often...

Del

Xavi6

Revelation Joe wrote:

It was a bit odd when I got back into it that there was no Fitzroy and Footscray!

I actually went to see the Eagles play Fitzroy in the only game I've been to. Was really weird when they folded.

Gotta like Gehrig cause he's ex-Eagles! Not a fan of Barry Hall (or the Swans) but Akermanis is a filthy hero after how he wound up the Irish team in the International Rules. Same goes for Brad Johnson.

My favourite player ever was Glen Jakovich. He was quality in the mid 90s for the Eagles along with Peter Sumich, Chris Mainwairing, John Worsfold and Peter Matera.
Loved watching players like Tony Lockett, James Hird, Gary Ablett Sr., Paul Kelly, Steve Kernaghan and Wayne Carey.

Of the current crop I like Ben Cousins and Ashley Judd for the Eagles, Gary Ablett Jr., Jeff Farmer, Nathan Brown, Matthew Pavlich and Nick Riewoldt amongst others.

SexeeAussie

Hey kids....

I LOVE Aussie Rules....my 'boys' Collingwood play Port Adelaide tonight....should be a good game.

Tadhg Kennelly is GOD on legs.......he is just divine.....the Swans will really miss him if he goes. (I'd be prepared to follow him to Listowel) Can't believe you guys don't like Big Bad Bustling Bazza Hall! He is a bloody great player. I would be VERY happy if he came to play for Collingwood. The bloke is an axe.

The next game or two will define what happens in the finals....can't wait!!!!

CARN THE PIES!

Revelation Joe

SexeeAussie wrote:

Can't believe you guys don't like Big Bad Bustling Bazza Hall! He is a bloody great player. I would be VERY happy if he came to play for Collingwood. The bloke is an axe.

No doubt he's a great player , as is the G-Train, it's just *something* about them both annoys me...and I can't say for sure what it is!

Del

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I really got into this when I was in Australia for the year. Of course living in Sydney, and arriving there for the finals games last year, we got on the Swans wagon, mostly because of Tadgh.

Traumadoc

Spent 41/2 years in Adelaide, bit of a port adelaide fan. used to go to 3-4 home games per season. very enjoyable game to watch, and the whole thing about wayne carey was hilarious.

SexeeAussie

seansouth wrote:

I really got into this when I was in Australia for the year. Of course living in Sydney, and arriving there for the finals games last year, we got on the Swans wagon, mostly because of Tadgh.

seansouth....it's TadHG...god, I'm an Aussie and know this!!!!!!

That would have been cool to be around Sydney when they won...we are in Canberra and still enjoyed the celebrations!!

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A re-visit to this thread seeing as the Grand Final is this Saturday!

A repeat of last years as The Sydney Swans once again face The West Coast Eagles.

Come on Sydney!

PS - hehe SexeeAussie, sorry about that!

redspider

Interesting to see that the final made the news over here in Ireland due to Tadhg Kennelly's involvement with Sydney. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadhg for spelling)

I wont watch the final live, but will try to catch it when its replayed.

Its the same final as last year, which many of you may remember was very
tight and very low scoring, with a lot of pulling and dragging and midfield play. Not entertaining, unless you were a Sydney fan who (unlike Mayo in GAA Football!) solved their long unsuccesful run since the 50's.

I reckon that it will be the Eagles turn this year, as they deserve it for their season play in the league and have been on top form, bar one match, in the play-offs. But as we all know, anything can happen in a final.

Redspider

BOHSBOHS

there was some final!!!! one point win for the eagles!!

redspider

WCE: 4.2, 8.7, 10.10, 12.13 (85)
SYDNEY: 1.4, 4.6, 8.11, 12.12 (84)

There is a report here:
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=301330

In a way, the final was similar to last year's, at least at the end with very little to separate the teams. WCE had the better of the first couple of quarters but Sydney came back in the 3rd, and then in the final quarter it was very close as teams exchanged scores.

West Coast deserve their first title though for their performances throughout the year and its good to see the trophy going to Perth. It was a good final, but again had a lot of scrapping. I guess this is what happens when you have two good teams fighting it out and are both good defensively. It sort of remindd me of a Armagh/Tyrone match, or Kerry/Armagh, or St.Kilda/Brisbane. Perhaps as I was a bit too negative on last years final in my previous post, as both finals in a way were similar. Still, this is the closest win possible and was a good advertisement for the sport.

The St. Kilda v Brisbane Lions matches a few years ago were epic, and now Sydney and WCE are producing the same fare, each time they meet, which augers well for the sport.

Now, we can look forward to the International Series of boxing, erm, I mean footy. It will be interesting to see what happens after the fisticuffs and cynicism from last year.

Redspider

Xavi6

redspider wrote:

West Coast deserve their first title though for their performances throughout the year

Em the Eagles also won the Premiership in '92 and '94.

Super result and absolutely delighted for John Worsfold. A legend of a player with the club and now doing the same as manager.

Chris Judd and Ben Cousins used all their exerience the help the team to victory. I'd love to have been back home in Perth for the game.

redspider

Xavi6 wrote:

Em the Eagles also won the Premiership in '92 and '94.

Yeah, you're right, I had forgotten about those. Its amazing how many non-Melbourne clubs have won the title in recent decades.

What chances have the Kanga's of winning it next year? None at all!

Redspider

Brian017

redspider wrote:

What chances have the Kanga's of winning it next year?

Not a chance! The Maggies all the way.