AFL - A plea

[sprite]

To me in Melb, it's Footy. Nothing else...


Soccer, is really the only sport that should be called "foudball"(apologies Les Murray).....

Slightly, off topic, but in the same vein...where oh where, did the phrase...."Who do you go for?" come from.

Personally, I go when I have to, I go usually when I'm told...but I don't go for the Swans.. I barrack for the Swans, I support the Swans...

I have noticed this phrase sneaking in more and more, is it something of a rebellion by young folk or what, but I want it stopped before it takes over.....

Enough of my rant, back to the other members who barrack for the Swans..

[lescygnes]

Basketball in the States is also referred to as NBA. in fact more north american sports are referred to by their league initials. (NHL, MLB, MLS etc).

just another sign of Australia following the path of Uncle Sam.

little Johnny Howard would be pleased.

Cheers
John

[DaveW]

Totally agree. I've been saying this for years. It's the name of the competition, not the name of the sport.

"Do you play AFL?"

"Well, no. I don't play in the AFL."

[jixygirl]

Originally posted by lescygnes
Basketball in the States is also referred to as NBA. in fact more north american sports are referred to by their league initials. (NHL, MLB, MLS etc).

just another sign of Australia following the path of Uncle Sam.

Its sounds scary when you put it like that!

[BAM_BAM]

to me it's the footy, but to my fellow New South Welshmen it's AFL. As Charlie pointed out, that's how it's been marketed up here and is most recognisable as.

I always say I'm going to the footy. When questioned what game I just answer "The Swans". It normally covers it.

I'm laughing at the idea of what we might be discussing come the beginning of December. How many days 'til North Sydney Oval???

[Craig]

Originally posted by lescygnes
Basketball in the States is also referred to as NBA. in fact more north american sports are referred to by their league initials. (NHL, MLB, MLS etc).

just another sign of Australia following the path of Uncle Sam.

little Johnny Howard would be pleased.

Cheers
John

Can't say I have heard people in the US saying let's go and play a game of NBA.

[lescygnes]

maybe you should get out more??

[shearer]

Ive lived in the states and they definately do not say lets go to the "NBA" or the "NHL"...its usually to the basketball or the hockey..

Im like a previous response, when people ask me if i play AFL, id love to say yes but i say SFL, that completely stuffs them. When they dont understand, i say to them do u play NRL or NSL, then they understand.

I didnt know that the AFL markets the game in schools as AFL instead of Australian Rules Football..so i stand corrected.But i am a purist and call it footy.

[CureTheSane]

perhaps it is because if someone in the US says "let's go play football" everyone knows what they are talking about.

with our multicultural society, it could mean AFL, League, Union or Soccer.

And there is nothing I'd like better than for AFL to take off in the States.
If that means we call it AFL and nothing else, then so be it

[Sid]

I always call it aussie rules.

[peterh_oz]

Originally posted by sprite
Soccer, is really the only sport that should be called "foudball"(apologies Les Murray).....

Actually I love this argument AND (surprise surprise) I have a well-rehearsed reply:

Soccer is NOT the "true" football, footy (AFL) is. Footy is the ONLY sport where the major score is generated via a kick.

Rugby (both), NFL etc the ball is carried in the hands for a try/touchdown.

Gaelic it is usually kicked BUT can be punched etc.

And in soccer it is often headed for a goal.

ONLY in Australian Football MUST the ball be KICKED for a major score to occur!

Yeah I get a lot of "yeah but scoring isn't everything" to which I reply with "the score IS the point of the game, is it not?"

Usually leaves them pissed off and whinging, BUT unable to respond. I love it!

[peterh_oz]

Originally posted by sprite
Slightly, off topic, but in the same vein...where oh where, did the phrase...."Who do you go for?" come from.

Personally, I go when I have to, I go usually when I'm told...but I don't go for the Swans.. I barrack for the Swans, I support the Swans...

I have noticed this phrase sneaking in more and more, is it something of a rebellion by young folk or what, but I want it stopped before it takes over....

Unfortunately its one of those Sydney/Melbourne things. Sydney "follow"or "go for" a team, Melbourne "support" a team. Sydney says "Go Swans" Melbourne says "C'arn Swans" or Swanners etc. A cheer squad in Sydney wear skirts, in Melbourne they (used to) get arrested for drunkeness Now they (I) just get arrested for standing on a seat and leading chants.

Its a cultural thing. Wish we had 1 country = 1 culture, instead of 7 colonies & 7 cultures! Then footy would've taken the world by storm, instead of having to battle within our OWN country just to survive for 150 yrs.

[Schneidergirl]

AFL is the national competition.

Australian Rules is the sport.

Using AFL to call a game played by juniors or kids not in the national competition is wrong.

[Sanecow]

Stupidest discussion ever! Congratulations!

[Bear]

Originally posted by peterh_oz
Actually I love this argument AND (surprise surprise) I have a well-rehearsed reply:

Soccer is NOT the "true" football, footy (AFL) is. Footy is the ONLY sport where the major score is generated via a kick.

Rugby (both), NFL etc the ball is carried in the hands for a try/touchdown.

Gaelic it is usually kicked BUT can be punched etc.

And in soccer it is often headed for a goal.

ONLY in Australian Football MUST the ball be KICKED for a major score to occur!

Yeah I get a lot of "yeah but scoring isn't everything" to which I reply with "the score IS the point of the game, is it not?"

Usually leaves them pissed off and whinging, BUT unable to respond. I love it!

If you are going to be technichal.... you can 'kick' a major score in Australian football with your shin... should it therefore be called 'shinball'?

Sorry to destroy your argument

I call the round ball code soccer but it is also football as the major way of DISPOSING of the ball is with the foot.

Our game is Australian football, as the major way of disposing of the ball is with the foot.

The rugby codes should not be called football, nor should Gridiron IMO, as the major way of disposing of the ball is with the hand(s).