Aussie Rules Football Season Kicks Off

The thud of men being dragged to the ground, the roar of ecstasy and agony of the crowd, the wafting smell of meat and pastry of the famous Australian Meat Pie. No, it's not another typical night at a suburban Pub or bar, it's an Australian Rules Football game, and it all starts this month across Australia.

The Australian Rules Football League (AFL) kicks off in March with the dramatic Grand Final being played in September. The AFL is the biggest spectator sport in Australia, with an average attendance per game of just over 30,000 people. There are 16 teams in the AFL, with most states in Australia having a Team representation.

Nowhere does the impact of the AFL resonate more loudly then it does in Melbourne. The game really is the lifeblood of the city, and with little wonder. It's where the game was born in the late 1800s, and it's the home to the mighty MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). The MCG is the host of the AFL Grand Final and many of the big blockbuster matches. These big games often test the capacity of the MCG, with crowds swelling in excess of 95,000.

It's very rare to find a person in Melbourne that doesn’t passionately support a side. Winning and losing is often everything to the average supporter. At stake are bragging rights on Monday through out thousands of schools and places of work. You can often be forgiven for not showing up on a Monday morning if your team has lost on the weekend.

Personally, my association with football has spanned the last 30 years. I've slowly drifted away from being your fanatical supporter, who would attend every game of the season, to more of an eager supporter nowadays. My Team, the North Melbourne Kangaroos, are primed for what I hope will be a good season. After finishing 13th last year, I expect nothing less then a Grand Final appearance this year. Ok, how about a top 8 finish? No? Well, at least better then last year. One can only hope!

Whilst in Melbourne, you can watch a game of AFL football at the MCG, located in Richmond, or at Etihad Stadium, located in the Docklands. The average price of entry is $20. If you've seen a game on TV, it's nothing compared to being at the match. Don't miss out!

Ramsey Damouni
Sales Manager
Unashamed Kangaroos Supporter
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