Australian Football – where to watch it and how to best enjoy it
Where ever you are in the world, it is now possible to watch Australian Rules football. This sport has really caught on, although it is still confusing to many. Its quirky rules are in fact often a part of the initial intrigue. Now available online and across many TV networks, its fan base has become global.
What Are The Rules
The game is an 18 a side event, with four spare players per team. The game consists of four parts, each about 20 minutes. However, each part will be extended by the amount of time play is stopped during that part. This makes an average game come in at between 90-120 minutes.
The game starts by a ball being bounced and two men trying to knock the ball to their team. The team players can kick, catch and run with the ball. If you catch the ball, you are permitted to a set kick, with no challenges until the game play continues. Tackling is allowed, but only between the shoulders and knees, but pushing is not allowed. After a tackle, a free kick is given to the tackle maker, or two the victim if it was an illegal tackle.
Players score by kicking a goal, shots between inner posts are worth 6 points, outer posts are worth just 1 point.
Where Is The Best Place To Watch?
If you are not in Australia, then where you watch will obviously depend upon where you are based and international games. However, as AFL is massive now and there are dedicated venues around the globe.
The best places are those with dedicated fans and a few of your best mates. If there is a local venue nearby, the atmosphere alone could be worth the trip to somewhere hosting an AFL event. Aussie football fans are great to be around and can make a normal game one that you won’t forget.
However, if you are really stuck, then just seeing the AFL game in some form is obviously better than completely missing it. In that case, why not get some friends round and host your own AFL evening. There are many websites that will stream the games live, so there really is no excuse for missing your favorite team.
How To Best Enjoy It
The Aussie way of course, and that is with friends and often beers. However, if you have the budget, then another option is to actually watch it in Australia! If you haven’t visited already, Australia makes for a vacation you won’t forget and there wouldn’t by much more of a cultural experience than going to see a local team play.