Will I ever understand AFL?

[doug3030]

Having grown up in Queensland in the '60's and '70's I have been struggling to understand AFL, or VFL as it was when I first found out about its existence in 1978 when I joined the Army and was posted to South Autralia.

things that still puzzle me:

- How can you justify scoring six points for kicking the ball between two posts from 50 metres or more out when in a real man's game you have to actually carry the ball over the line and place it accurately on the ground to score only four points? I mean, they do not even have a crossbar to kick it over.

- It has to be the only game in the world where you get a point for missing, right?

- I thought the only game where you got a point for a behind was Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

Ok, I admit the examples above are "tongue in cheek" to a certain extent, I really cannot understand getting a point for missing.

However there is one big thing that I do not understand at all - If you get penalized for a high tackle if you put your arm around the players neck, how come it is OK to put your knee into the side of a player's head if you are going for a mark, whether you take the mark or not. Surely the high tackle rule exists to protect the players' heads. Why is there not a similar rule to protect them from similar or potentially worse harm when recklessly marking?

Cheers

Doug

[BobL]

It's also the only football game in the world where a major score goal can be scored only off the foot (alright foot and lower leg). That's why its real foot ball and not place ball or carry ball or hand ball or head ball.

The knee in the back when taking a mark is interesting. I don't recall anyone having to come off the ground after such an incident but then again I would hardly call myself an aficionado of the game.

[doug3030]

It's also the only football game in the world where a major score goal can be scored only off the foot (alright foot and lower leg). That's why its real foot ball and not place ball or carry ball or hand ball or head ball.

The knee in the back when taking a mark is interesting. I don't recall anyone having to come off the ground after such an incident but then again I would hardly call myself an aficionado of the game.

They might only be able to score six points with their foot but they spend most of the game holding it or hitting it with their hands.

A knee in the back is one thing, but what prompted me ot make this post is a scene that was just replayed on the game the girlfriend is watching where a player had his shin on the shoulder of an opposing player and he drove his knee into that player's head as he tried to take the mark, but missed.

What do you call that? Tackling a player without the ball? A high tackle on a player without the ball? Dangerous play? Good sportsmanship?

Cheers

Doug

[Simplicity]

Doug ask Sally,

At the end of the month when your here she's a big Richmond fan loves them.


O and I mildly follow Collingwood
(Yes yes yes yes we won)

[doug3030]

O and I mildly follow Collingwood
(Yes yes yes yes we won)

By a point for missing?

[Simplicity]

She's still a bit sore on that one

In my view the greatest team won
(She will not be editing this for me lol)

[A Duke]

Hi,
I can not understand any game where a bunch of silly humans chase a bag of wind around a field.

[Kuffy]

If you get penalized for a high tackle if you put your arm around the players neck, how come it is OK to put your knee into the side of a player's head if you are going for a mark, whether you take the mark or not.

Because it looks good in the highlights reel. Keeps the fans coming back week in, week out. Keeps the game exciting and therefore alive and profitable etc etc.

The umpires can award a high tackle if the marker isn't anywhere close to the ball, jumps waaaaaay too early, or it kinda looks like he aimed his knees for the the back of the blokes head.

Footy is awesome.


and....you should get a point for trying! seems only fair

[doug3030]

you should get a point for trying! seems only fair

but points for missing completely? makes no sense at all.

[Kuffy]

The real question about points should be "how much do you need to pay a bloke so that he will kick the ball straight!?"

[doug3030]

The real question about points should be "how much do you need to pay a bloke so that he will kick the ball straight!?"

Well in an effort to bring the discussion back to the original topic:

Does his ability to kick straight depend on how much damage he did to his knee when driving it into someone else's head when taking a mark in violation of rules covering other elements of play for commonsense reasons?

Cheers

Doug

[wireliner]

Unless you have actually played the game it is hard to explain the mechanics. Most injuries from a high mark are to the guy doing the marking, from landing awkwardly. It looks worse for the guy underneath than it actually is. Trust me on this as a career back pocket. Mind you if you can catch up with them on the way down and help gravity, the crunch is very satisfying.

[doug3030]

Trust me on this as a career back pocket.

I still struggle to understand some of the positions in an Aussie Rules side, some like fullback, winger, forward etc are all pretty self evident.

The first time I heard the term "back pocket" I thought they were trying to say that the bloke was as close to an A*&^hole as you can get. (not trying to insult wireliner or other players here, just relating what I thought they meant at the time)

Meanwhile I will stick to my favorite position - half full on the fence.

Cheers

Doug

[Gabriel]

Doug, I feel your pain, but from the other end. Growing up in Melbourne, I have had afl crammed down my throat since day 1. I quite like to watch it these days (the wife is CRAZY st.kikda) and understand the rules....

My problem is the other way, 15 years ago I started watching union with some kiwi mates. I only watch the international stuff so havent looked into it deeply, but i love to watch those boys running as hard as they do.
I still don't understand what all the penalties are for, but I am getting better, VERY slowly....

[Poppa]

I grew up in Qld in the 60's and 70's as well Doug, and I played 3 years of Aussie Rules at high school. Great sport to play, total fitness a must and a rough and tumble game without the same opportunities for niggle that there are in RL and RU.