M-whY

The answer was to go to an Aussie Rules Football game, of course. I had bought my ticket in advance a couple days ago. For anyone who intends on attending one in the future, don't make the same mistake as me. General admission tickets can be bought at the game a couple hours before it starts, usually for a much cheaper price. Just be sure to get there early.

It wasn't hard to get to Melbourne Cricket Grounds. Just follow the crowds, I was told. Fans wearing team apparel, carrying banners and flags, marched towards the stadium. I was about half an hour early, so I just found my seat and watched as some of the players trotted out onto the field for warmups. Sitting right behind one of the goal posts, I wondered if any balls would come flying my way during the game.

I didn't know which team to cheer for, Carlton or Collingwood. Someone told me that both teams weren't particularly good, but there was a fierce rivalry between the two, and I couldn't have picked a better game to attend. 61,000 crazy fans filled the stadium. I was in for quite an experience.

Now I know what my mom feels like when I watch NFL games at home. I had no idea what the rules were. I'm familiar with sports, I thought. I'll figure it out. The game got under way, and Collingwood took an early lead. I learned to read the scoreboard pretty quick. The first number represented six point goals, the second number one point goals, and the third number the total score. So 2-1-13 and 1-2-8 meant one team was leading the other 13 to 8. The game was kind of like a mix between rugby and soccer. Kicking it between the two middle posts resulted in six points, I think. But sometimes they counted as one point? I don't know for sure. Players could advance the football shaped ball by kicking or batting it forward to a teammate. They could toss it, but only if they tossed it backwards? Or they could run with it, but they had to dribble it every ten steps or something?

The action was nonstop during 30 minute quarters. Even when a player got injured, play would continue as trainers came out in the middle of the field to tend to the hurt. At halftime, Carlton had regained the lead by the score of 51-38. The family on my left were pleased, being Carlton fans. The guys in the row in front of me were not so pleased. They had come to cheer on Collingwood. I myself didn't care who won. I found the whole thing to be rather amusing.

The third quarter started and I could feel the tension (video 3.3MB) build up in the stadium. Collingwood scored a few quick goals and the family on my left traded expressions with the guys in front of me. One of the balls landed three seats to the left of me, while another landed a couple rows in front. On the field, things were getting a bit testy too. My eyes naturally followed the ball, but there was a lot of pushing and shoving by players away from the action. Someone was leveled by a big hit from an opposing player, and the crowd ooh'ed as the replay was shown on the big screen. A couple players started fighting, and had to be separated by the refs in yellow. The score at the end of the third quarter was 92-91. It was a great game.

The fans got a bit rowdy because of some questionable calls in the fourth quarter. "Can someone explain to me the rules?!" shouted someone behind me as a call went against his team. Yeah, while you're at it, explain the rules to me too! A couple objects were thrown from the upper decks. I half hoped a riot would break out. Now that would've been cool to see.

Collingwood won the game going away, 118-104. A interesting game, Aussie Rules Football. However, I must say, I prefer good ol' American football more.

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