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Hi guys,
Haven't been able to post much since having come back from Adelaide, but just wanted to tell you all how aesome the SANFL match I went to was last Saturday. It was between North Adelaide and Sturt and was a nailbiting win by the Good Ol' Red and Whites.
I thought that it would be worth doing smething special on Grass Roots weekend, so was more than happy to give the SANFL a bo peep.
In many ways the SANFL captures something that AFL footy has nearly completely lost. People standing on concrete terracing at their traditional home ground, holding a beer in one hand and a sausage sanger in the other. No cushy corporately-sponsored arenas that all look the same. And no people going to the match to be seen. Just grass roots footy supporters going to barrack for their club like they always have.
Those RWOers who follow Northern Spirit in the NSL will know what I'm talking about. The North Grog Squad reminded me of the Spirit McCartney Stand, full of banter and abuse for the 4 foot tall dwarf of an umpire as well as the Sturt team. At one stage a full beer flew in the direction of the goal umpire. I was near tears of laughter, as that sort of thing would result in instant expluson at AFL level. I told the Grogs of the rules we have at AFL matches. They shook their heads and agreed that following a "lower" standard of footy certainly did have its benefits.
The game was a total ripper, with North holding off a fast-finishing Double Blues team. Refreshingly when ahead by only a couple of points ahead, North did not resort to flooding or short passing to win the match. I even yelled out that they should have flooded. I got a couple of heads being shaken. One guys said that "you won't get that sort of stuff here." In the after-match speech coach Andrew Jarman even said as much saying he was "proud of the fact we didn't resort to playing the sort of crap they dish out in the AFL." He got a hearty cheer.
It is heartening that there still is such passion about suburban club football. I was quite surprised. It is also sad that there is no serious footy under AFL level for people to attach themselves to in Sydney. Yeah, I know. You could go and watch the SFL. But I could also go and watch Pura Cup cricket as well. ZZZZZZZ
If ever you get to SA, I highly recommend you take in an SANFL match. Sure the atmosphere can be somewhat dead at times. But the footy is still very very watchable. And for only $8 it is definitely a good day out. Especially once the bourbons from the can bar start kicking in.(Thanks Rooster Wedgie)
I stayed around in the North after-match area under the main stand just soaking up the traditional football club atmosphere, making instant friends with not only North but Sturt supporters keen on talking footy. I chatted with senior players, who were more than happy to spare their time and have a beer with the loyal fans. as a Swans supporter wearing my scarf, I had lots of people coming up to want to chat, with basically everyone wanting us to beat the "Wharfies" (aka Port). I wasn't even the only Swans supporter who was at the match. Matthew who stands down the Members end of the SCG waving the Peru national flag was there wearing a Brett White badge, sitting with his dad.
Have a look at this URL.
<http://www.rocketrooster.com/NAFC/Ma...s/Rd112004.htm> You may even see a familiar flag being waved.
JF
PS:- North have a very interesting CHB by the name of Shaw. An Aboriginal from the NT who was at Collingwood but relegated to Williamstown all season, he is a virtual dead ringer for Adam Goodes, both in his looks and in the way he plays the game. He has been a revelation for the Cocks by all reports. Didn't fit in in the goldfish bowl of Melbourne football. But with Micky O and Goodesy to take him under his wing, the type of guy I think would really flourish under Rooseys. (SWANS SCOUTS, CHECK THIS DUDE OUT!!!)
Haven't been able to post much since having come back from Adelaide, but just wanted to tell you all how aesome the SANFL match I went to was last Saturday. It was between North Adelaide and Sturt and was a nailbiting win by the Good Ol' Red and Whites.
I thought that it would be worth doing smething special on Grass Roots weekend, so was more than happy to give the SANFL a bo peep.
In many ways the SANFL captures something that AFL footy has nearly completely lost. People standing on concrete terracing at their traditional home ground, holding a beer in one hand and a sausage sanger in the other. No cushy corporately-sponsored arenas that all look the same. And no people going to the match to be seen. Just grass roots footy supporters going to barrack for their club like they always have.
Those RWOers who follow Northern Spirit in the NSL will know what I'm talking about. The North Grog Squad reminded me of the Spirit McCartney Stand, full of banter and abuse for the 4 foot tall dwarf of an umpire as well as the Sturt team. At one stage a full beer flew in the direction of the goal umpire. I was near tears of laughter, as that sort of thing would result in instant expluson at AFL level. I told the Grogs of the rules we have at AFL matches. They shook their heads and agreed that following a "lower" standard of footy certainly did have its benefits.
The game was a total ripper, with North holding off a fast-finishing Double Blues team. Refreshingly when ahead by only a couple of points ahead, North did not resort to flooding or short passing to win the match. I even yelled out that they should have flooded. I got a couple of heads being shaken. One guys said that "you won't get that sort of stuff here." In the after-match speech coach Andrew Jarman even said as much saying he was "proud of the fact we didn't resort to playing the sort of crap they dish out in the AFL." He got a hearty cheer.
It is heartening that there still is such passion about suburban club football. I was quite surprised. It is also sad that there is no serious footy under AFL level for people to attach themselves to in Sydney. Yeah, I know. You could go and watch the SFL. But I could also go and watch Pura Cup cricket as well. ZZZZZZZ
If ever you get to SA, I highly recommend you take in an SANFL match. Sure the atmosphere can be somewhat dead at times. But the footy is still very very watchable. And for only $8 it is definitely a good day out. Especially once the bourbons from the can bar start kicking in.(Thanks Rooster Wedgie)
I stayed around in the North after-match area under the main stand just soaking up the traditional football club atmosphere, making instant friends with not only North but Sturt supporters keen on talking footy. I chatted with senior players, who were more than happy to spare their time and have a beer with the loyal fans. as a Swans supporter wearing my scarf, I had lots of people coming up to want to chat, with basically everyone wanting us to beat the "Wharfies" (aka Port). I wasn't even the only Swans supporter who was at the match. Matthew who stands down the Members end of the SCG waving the Peru national flag was there wearing a Brett White badge, sitting with his dad.
Have a look at this URL.
<http://www.rocketrooster.com/NAFC/Ma...s/Rd112004.htm> You may even see a familiar flag being waved.
JF
PS:- North have a very interesting CHB by the name of Shaw. An Aboriginal from the NT who was at Collingwood but relegated to Williamstown all season, he is a virtual dead ringer for Adam Goodes, both in his looks and in the way he plays the game. He has been a revelation for the Cocks by all reports. Didn't fit in in the goldfish bowl of Melbourne football. But with Micky O and Goodesy to take him under his wing, the type of guy I think would really flourish under Rooseys. (SWANS SCOUTS, CHECK THIS DUDE OUT!!!)
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