AFL vs NFL...The Finer Points

**Geek44** · December 5th, 2008 10:47 PM

Following a potential thread hijacking in the Softball Sign Up joint...here's a new one. A couple of members and I have been discussing the pros and cons of our national football codes. Here's my take...

I had a mate in high school who had spent three years living in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended school there and learned something about the rules of NFL. Years later when we were sharing a house and we'd stay up late on a Thursday night and watch Don Lane present one NFL game. I grew to enjoy the strategic facet of the game but as an Aussie who's grown up with the fluid speed seen in AFL, I found the NFL game kinda stodgy...like day old porridge. Suffice to say I find rugby (both codes) a bit the same.
I must admit that I've forgotten most of the rules and some of the terminology ('First and down!!'). I suspect that with a more mature mind than I had in the 'Hobbsy/NFL' days, I might rekindle an interest.
Having said that...AFL is fast, hard and when played well...to my eyes...beautiful.
Here's one point of the game to accompany the video. If a player kicks the ball further than fifteen metres and a team mate catches it (termed 'a mark') without it touching the ground, the guy who caught the ball has a 'free kick' in which he can pick a target and kick toward it...be that another team mate or a score. He can also 'play on' which means he runs with the ball and is open to tackle...he must either bounce the ball or touch it to the ground every five seconds. A mark is not a score, but an opportunity to more efficiently move the ball toward the goal posts. The lengths to which players will go to achieve a 'mark' are extraordinary. It's a longish video at around five minutes. Those of us who love our 'footy' will watch it all twice.
Hal, I checked out that link...I know it's a tough game. Thanks...learning again.

Peace

**Geek44** · December 5th, 2008 10:50 PM

Hey Hal, what made you choose Jackson Trengrove? Google or preference?
I'm also really happy that the video includes the original commentary and not some (often awful) soundtrack. I've grown up with these voices on a winter's weekend...I suppose that's part of any sport largely appreciated via TV.
Peace.

**Panzermacher** · December 5th, 2008 10:52 PM

Go Newcastle Knights!!! All I need to say!!!

**Geek44** · December 5th, 2008 11:07 PM

This is all I need to say.

Peace.

**Jim O** · December 5th, 2008 11:10 PM

But you don't have this guy:

This is from 1967, during his college days. This is one of my earliest football memories.

He was unbelievably great.

Notice how it says "ABC Color". A lot of television was still in black and white in those days.

**Geek44** · December 5th, 2008 11:25 PM

Yeah...he was good. I think 'Nordberg' messed with his head.
We got our first colour TV in 1977...TV started here in 1956.
Peace.

**MAGNA** · December 6th, 2008 1:56 AM

Must say I would rather watch AFL but NFL and lawn bowls come in way ahead of soccer as a spectator sport. Not a wonder there are so many riots after soccer games. A couple of hours queueing to get in, listening to the same boring songs and trumpets for an hour and a half, capped off with nothing happening on the field and a draw to finish the day off. Not a wonder people want their money back after....

**Geek44** · December 6th, 2008 2:21 AM

Next time in a debate about whether soccer is any good or not, I plan to use the soccer promo tag-line against 'em.

'Soccer - 56 Teams, One goal.'

I rest my case.
Peace.

**Aussie Dave** · December 7th, 2008 4:54 PM

Originally Posted by Geek44

Following a potential thread hijacking in the Softball Sign Up joint...here's a new one. A couple of members and I have been discussing the pros and cons of our national football codes. Here's my take...

I had a mate in high school who had spent three years living in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended school there and learned something about the rules of NFL. Years later when we were sharing a house and we'd stay up late on a Thursday night and watch Don Lane present one NFL game. I grew to enjoy the strategic facet of the game but as an Aussie who's grown up with the fluid speed seen in AFL, I found the NFL game kinda stodgy...like day old porridge. Suffice to say I find rugby (both codes) a bit the same.
I must admit that I've forgotten most of the rules and some of the terminology ('First and down!!'). I suspect that with a more mature mind than I had in the 'Hobbsy/NFL' days, I might rekindle an interest.
Having said that...AFL is fast, hard and when played well...to my eyes...beautiful.
Here's one point of the game to accompany the video. If a player kicks the ball further than fifteen metres and a team mate catches it (termed 'a mark') without it touching the ground, the guy who caught the ball has a 'free kick' in which he can pick a target and kick toward it...be that another team mate or a score. He can also 'play on' which means he runs with the ball and is open to tackle...he must either bounce the ball or touch it to the ground every five seconds. A mark is not a score, but an opportunity to more efficiently move the ball toward the goal posts. The lengths to which players will go to achieve a 'mark' are extraordinary. It's a longish video at around five minutes. Those of us who love our 'footy' will watch it all twice.
Hal, I checked out that link...I know it's a tough game. Thanks...learning again.

Peace

And who says "White Men Can't Jump?"

Cheers,
Dave