Why a non-AFL fan would watch an Australian footy match
I am not a fan of Australian rules football.
I am not a fan of American football.
I am a fan of the FIFA soccer and of Test Match Cricket, and of the Formula One Grand Prix.
However, in my later years (not quite yet at my twilight years, hopefully) I have decided to take the plunge into new territory, and this territory has been Australian Football.
Since the West Coast Eagles of Western Australia (the great State which I live in) won the Premiership last year, 2018, and my interest in them was piqued due to a lovely man who began working at my workplace recently, who is one of their biggest fans, I have had a look … at what it’s all about.
There was the much touted “Grand Final Replay” televised on Saturday 3rd April 2019.
It took me a while though to work out that it meant that the Eagles were once again playing Collingwood.
First I asked if it meant the Grand Final was literally going to be televised again, and was met with a puzzled look.
Well, I really don’t know the jingo, being a new footy watcher, and a possible coerced fan of the Eagles (due to several work friends being big fans of theirs).
I found the first live match of the West Coast Eagles and Collingwood for 2019 interesting enough to watch it right through.
The first thing I noted was that much of the audience booed at the West Coast Eagles. This I determined was because it was played at the MCG or Melbourne Cricket Grounds, in Victoria, the state which is home to the Collingwood football team.
I was surprised to hear some in the audience chant U S A then realized that Mason Cox was from the US, and instead of calls of Aussie Aussie, the USA was still being supported.
I discovered that a player can’t make a dangerous tackle, knocking another player’s head into the ground. This is reasonable because unless it’s boxing, the head really is off limits.
I made a pledge to watch the first quarter or first 20 minutes. Astonishingly with a minute to go, the broadcast suddenly went off, and lights on the TV began flashing. My partner was recording Gameplay Revolution and I was recording Strange Magic.
Quickly I stopped recording Strange Magic.
I wondered why the commentator kept referring to Josh Kennedy as a beast, then after an advert my question was answered. The commentator said “Josh Kennedy is a giant in skill and in stature.” Well, my idea of a beast is the beast in Beauty and the Beast, and Josh didn’t look like that.
At the break, as I was hungry I ate a sherbie sweet as it was either that or potato crisps which aren’t good for my cholesterol. I then began worrying over my sugar consumption, then remembered that I was watching a footy match.
With 11 minutes left of the 2nd quarter my partner made an appearance, and we discussed what combination of fish and chips we might buy next week for a one day of take-away, if we could.
It was an involved discussion because I have recently developed an allergy to crustacean food, and by the time our talk, with no decision made, was finished, there was only 6 minutes left of the 2nd quarter.
I wondered why the players ran around so much, seemingly indiscriminately throwing the ball, and mused pleasantly upon soccer (which I love), where the ball is not thrown around.
I was outraged when there were still 2 minutes of play to go and the TV broadcasters had the audacity to put on 2 quick adverts, interrupting my viewing pleasure.
To my surprise when we returned to the footage, the clock had stopped. A lot can happen in 4 seconds, I thought, like sneak in 2 advertisements.
It dawned upon me that the clock stopped for lots of seconds often, while preparations were underway for the next play of action.
During the 4th and final quarter, my partner joined me to watch the ending. I was cheered, because by now I had warmed up to the game, and I noted the skill in kicking the ball between the posts, plus, with relief, I noted that there wasn’t much time left in this game.
Well, the Eagles won, and with that I left the interviews and post match discussion, to return to my computer.
I had told the West Coast Eagles fans at work that I would be watching that certain match “live”, and I did. However, I may be indisposed the next time the Eagles are playing.
I think that I may have missed the marks. Later, my partner explained to me that a good mark in footy is great to watch. But speaking for myself, I can’t see what the fuss is about.
I have seen snatches of American Football on TV and confess that the latter looks more appealing to me than does Aussie Rules football. Also I love the name of “Grid-iron” for American footy.
Well, at least I tried watching AFL (but still won’t be part of the “in crowd” of Aussie Rules football fans) and I have broadened my horizons a bit!
