Each premiership season sees weekend played rounds of 8 matches where two teams of 22 players field an oval shaped field measuring 180 metres, with two sets of 4 posts at each end. The two taller posts in the middle represent the master goal of the game, in fact they are called "goals". Some key terms and their explanation :
Goals = when you KICK the ball between the centre posts either on the full or bouncing through (without being touched)
Behind = the ball going through either the 2 spaces each side of the central posts. OR the ball being touched by any player and entering between any of the posts.
Mark = A player grabbing a cleanly kicked ball from mid air without it having being touch, and holding it. This represents a stoppage by default where the player can opt to go back from the mark position and kick forward to teammates.
Handball = using hands to hit the ball to a teammate running by, or to avoid being wrapped up a pending tackle. Also key in keeping posession without risk by foot.
Tackle = in AFL grabbing an opponent above the knee and shoulders or below by using a bearhug like action either on the run or not. (if you tackle a player bouncing the ball you are awarded a "free kick" as the tackler)
Bounce = a running player must bounce the ball every 15-20 metres or a free kick to the opponents is rewarded. Players not really moving need not bounce periodically (bounce rule isnt a time thing)
Free kick = a penalty bonus for the opposite team of a player deemed to be infringing on any number of rules against the team recieving the kick. A free kick works the same way as a mark, a stoppage by default but the player awarded can "play on" by hand or foot before the umpire has finalised the mark position
Hit the post = hitting either of the central goal posts is a "point" no exceptions, you cannot bounce a goal in by hitting the inner sides of the goal posts.
1 Goal = gets you SIX points
1 Behind = gets you ONE point.
Kicking it over the boundary on the full = gets you nothing lol, its a free kick to the other team.
Another key thing to note, players match up man on man by default (though tactical deviations to this exist) and there is NO such rule as offside etc like in soccer.
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Almost 100,000 spectators were there (99,500ish) at this years 2011 Grand Final, and this national sports best day for being seen around the globe on various cable sport channels. I would like to personally say that, I never want to see the game become internationally competed on a A-level. That would make it supremely less unique than it is now. So I don't show this to try say it should be a world sport, or even heavily regarded
But the facts of it's member base for teams, game attendance and TV audience doesn't lie. It is the sport most popularly watched in Australia. Some people on youtube channels try to propagate the idea AFL is equal to soccer or rugby in this country. Those people are just jealous and ignorant of facts. AFL players get paid far more and the game generates the most sponsors/money.
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OTHER CLOSE GRAND FINAL MOMENTSEXTRAS
- goals of 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ0W9SbBHqo&feature=related - high fly marks of 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wds8DWvJ98&feature=channel - big hits
AFaiL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvKi7fiacJA&feature=relatedIMPROBABLE GOALS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8llcP6tZoiw&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxRWyjBLZvY&feature=related
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Topic: AFL grand final 2011 - Geelong vs. Collingwood (Read 8571 times)