Soccer
...combined with
Rugby
(Don't tell an Australians that the AFL is like rugby.)
....combined with
1970's Basketball
(Purely for the fashion)
...combined with
Quidditch
(Minus the flying brooms and capes - for uniforms see above.)
No but in all seriousness, it is pretty awesome. It really is unlike anything that I have seen. The fans are intense, the game is non-stop, and being in the fan section is a pretty good people watching opportunity.
The game was played at an enormous arena call the Melbourne Cricket Grounds (MCG). This arena holds about 100,000 people and they are about to increase its capacity due to the popularity of the sport. Now, not every game puts the MCG at capacity but it is still an awe inspiring place to stand in. I can only imagine the excitement and noise of the crowd at the championship game.
(The MCG)
In the AFL the ball can be kicked or hand passed, in a volleyball "underhand" serve fashion, from one player to another. The goal is to kick the ball between the two tallest poles. This is worth 6 points. If you miss but make it between a tall pole and a short pole it is worth 1 point. So, good news Americans, their scoring system is as messed up as American Football's.
The ball reminds me of a rugby ball and also like in rugby the players do not wear any pads. Therefore, in the real rough matches you might be lucky enough to see some bloodshed and even a broken bone or two if you're real lucky. Australian football is truly a form of raw athleticism and a test of endurance and strength.
While Australian football has its origins in the state of Victoria (where Melbourne is located), popularity is growing across the nation and Australians are taking pride in their nation's own invention. I have just been informed that there are in fact leagues internationally so if you're interested, google it and see if there is a game near you.
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