Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Australian Rules Football
Underneath the cultured chat and designer threads of your typical Melburnian, you'll find a
heart that truly belongs to one thing: the footy. Understanding the basics of Australian
Rules football is definitely a way to get a local engaged in conversation, especially during
the winter season. Melbourne is the national centre for the sport, and the Melbourne-based
Australian Football League (AFL;
www.afl.com.au
)
administers the national competition.
During the footy season (March to September), the vast majority of Victorians become
obsessed: entering tipping competitions at work, discussing hamstring injuries and suspen-
sions over the water cooler, and devouring huge chunks of the daily newspapers devoted to
mighty victories, devastating losses and the latest bad-boy behaviour (on and off the field).
The MCG, affectionately referred to as the 'G', has been the home of Australian football
since 1859 and its atmosphere is unforgettable. The AFL now has teams in every mainland
state, but nine of its 18 clubs are still based in Melbourne, along with regional Geelong. All
Melbourne teams play their home games at either the MCG or Etihad Stadium, and
matches between two local teams ensure a loud, parochial crowd. Barracking has its own
lexicon and is often a one-sided 'conversation' with the umpire. One thing is certain: fans
always know better. Once disparagingly referred to as 'white maggots' because of their
lily-white uniforms, umpires are now decked out in bright orange, so players can spot them
in the thick of the game. (With the colour switch, they are now simply called 'maggots'.)
After the final siren blows, and the winning club theme song is played (usually several
times over), it's off to the pub. Supporters of opposing teams often celebrate and commiser-
ate together. Despite the deep tribal feelings and passionate expression of belonging that
AFL engenders, violence is almost unheard of before, during or after games.
The second-tier Victorian Football League (VFL;
www.victorianfootballleague.com.au
)
fields teams in regional centres Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong, and in various Melbourne
suburbs.
