what the other codes are saying about us

[elroy67]

Originally posted by Nico
Isn't it funny how it is the other codes who always seem to rubbish Aussie Rules.

As opposed to Andy D or any channel 10 commentator.......

[laughingnome]

I suppose one could theorise that since Australian Football came from south of the border then it is immediately seen by some Sydneysiders as inferior because 'we are "better" then Melbourne' mentality. The Sydney Swans have earned their right to be in this city and have the money spent on telecasts, advertising, et al. Sydney FC is a club only made in the last two years with little in the way of die-hards (not to disrespect it, but lets face it - die-hards take years to form) and little in the way of political pressure to push their code. (it helps when you can show the government nice big wads of tourist dollars for the economy).

I'm not going to say one sport is inferior to another as I follow union, soccer and aussie rules but I do object to a push from the soccer fraternity to label their code as "football" in this country whereby the name has always been applied to all four codes equally. If they are so adamant about renaming it then why not change the name of the Socceroos? Oh yeah, that's right, if they renamed them no one would know what they are because Australia knows it as Soccer.

[music_2000]

everyone I agree I love all the footy codes but AFL is my number 1, its just a pity that there are many out there who have a passion for disrespecting others and their sporting tastes

[David Votoupal]

Well it cuts both ways, it's sad to say. There is unreasonable paranoia amongst soccer and League fans- at least in Sydney- about the AFL.

But when you look at it, segments of the AFL fraternity- admin and supporters alike- haven't exactly endeared themselves to fans of other codes either. You do see some very nasty, small-minded comments made about soccer, League, Union etc as being "inferior" and "foreign" games- and this could easily be interpereted as xenophobic, especially in the current climate.

So I'm not all that surprised by the adverse attitudes on show. But I'm appalled by the attitudes on display from segments of soccer, League and AFL fans to each other, equally. Because it flies in defiance of the value of a "fair go" which is an Australian value, isn't it? We all have freedom to like what we want, but the important thing is to respect other people's freedom to do so, and not denigrate and discriminate against them for it.

I embraced the Swans with all my heart, and I love them. Not as much as I love Everton, I'll admit, but I love them and endure every emotion seeing the boys in red and white fight for a premiership. NOTHING is going to change that- which is why I've been alienated from the Sydney FC crowd (you'll see me posting on The Gate forum, because the AUFC crowd are far less myopic on this topic).

Come on Swans, give us another flag to celebrate!