American Reacts: What is AFL? Aussie Rules Explained

[@lescon1684]

The first game of Rugby in Australia was 1863, the first game of AFL was 1858. AFL was to help cricket players keep fit in the winter months. It came from a game call Marngrook played by Australian first nations for thousands of years.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

I like the historical origins. I’m a history nerd who also loves sports so I appreciate the info.

[@SirSSau]

@@johnf-americanreacts1287 Just be aware, indigenous Australians like to claim AFL, but the truth is there’s no proof at all that it came from Marngrook. The game was invented by Tom Wills, he wanted a game to keep cricketers fit in the off season.

[@philipandrew1626]

Tom Wills was sent to England at the age of 14 to attend Rugby School, where he became captain of its cricket team and played an early version of rugby football. He returned to Victoria, Australia in 1856. Australian Rules Football was first played in 1858 and had influences from Rugby, Gaelic Football and the Aboriginal game Marngrook. The rules of the game were first codified a year later in 1859 by Wills, Hammersley, Thompson. Ironically Aussie Rules Football was codified before Rugby, Soccer, Gaelic Football and Grid Iron despite the fact that these games were already being played in various forms for quite a long time earlier.

[@joshkleine21]

@@SirSSau Tom Wills adapted the game from Marngrook. He made no secret about that. He picked it up through a lot of charitable work he did with First Nations people. This is proven fact. Stop making things up. I don’t know if it’s your racism not wanting to give indigenous people credit, but regardless of your feelings the facts remain. Tom Wills adapted the indigenous game of Marngrook for cricketers in Melbourne to keep fit in the off season. Facts matter.

[@brosert]

​@@joshkleine21 Where is it a proven fact? It's actually a hotly contested topic, with the AFL themselves reluctant to acknowledge Marn Grook. In 2008 they thought the idea "a seductive myth", and it wasn't until 2019 that they conceded it "...likely influenced much of what we now understand as AFL" (that's a pretty non-committal statement from them). There are many historians who acknowledge that Aboriginal players no doubt played and brought new skills to the game, but point out they haven't found any evidence or reference to Wills having even seen Marngrook - despite his close friendship with the local people. Multiple other sources cite the biggest similarity being high-marking - something that wasn't really a part of Aussie Rules in its earliest days - which hints the connection isn't all that clear cut. Even in advertising the Marngrook Footy Show, SBS signs off with "Regardless of where the game originates...." implying that they're not 100% sold on it themselves. So while I'm not saying there isn't a link, it's hardly a "Proven fact" (in fact I think proof one way or the other is impossible TBH).

[@rickyd.989]

Great reaction mate. Yes you can tackle from any direction although there are a couple of things you can’t do that they call front on contact and pushing a player in the back. (too involved to get into the intricacies of this here, you really need a rule book. (even though you can leap on them for a mark. (catch) Crowds average around 45,000, but a couple of top teams playing can get anything up to about 90,000 people. The grand final is rarely only 90,000, it’s always closer to 100,000. At The grand final or any other game, parents take their kids because those crowds are one big happy family, and there is only the odd idiot because everybody is there to enjoy the game. NRL, (rugby) struggles to get over 15,000 fans to their match of the day. Soccer is even less. Every time a goal is kicked the ball is brought back for a centre bounce. They play ads after each goal but not while play is in progress The score line of 20-10-130 means 20 goals x 6 points each = 120 pts + 10 behinds (points) = 130 total points. You can have less goals than the other team, but more total points which is the winner. (Example) Team A, 14-8-92 (team A wins with more total points, less goals) Team B, 15-1-91 (remember the first figure is goals multiplied by six points each) When you take a mark (catch) you can play on, (keep going) or stop on the spot and take a free kick where the opposition is not allowed to touch you. The umpire will blow his whistle every time someone marks the ball, but if the player does not stop and plays on, the umpire will call, “play on.” Free kicks. If the umpire sees a free kick should be given for an infringement, but a teammate plays on, the umpire will call, “advantage,” and let him keep going. This keeps the game flowing rather than hindering the team by bringing the ball back for the free kick. Yes, your game and rugby are hard to watch for us because of all the stopping of play. Goals. The 50 meter ark is only a guide. Players can kick for goal from any part of the ground. If the ball is touched by any player of either team from when it leaves the boot and before crossing the goal line, it becomes one point. (If the goal umpire is in doubt, they will call for a score review, which involves a slow motion video replay.) After each goal the ball is brought back to the centre of the ground and contested by the two ruckmen. All players must resume their original positions at that time. Behinds. (Points) The square marked on the ground in front of the goals is where the fullback kicks the ball back into play after a behind is scored. Handball. Ball held in one hand and punched with a closed fist with the other. Handball can be given to a teammate from any direction. Throwing the ball is illegal, and will result in a free kick given to the opposition. 16 yards is 15 m in Australia. We are annoyed about this explanation. What they should have said is that you have to bounce the ball any time “BEFORE” 15 mtrs. Most players bounce after a few steps to avoid going beyond 15 m, which would see a free kick given to the other team. These guys are super athletes, who run flat out for up to 15 km per game, whilst being harassed, bumped, and tackled. Each quarter with extra time runs for about 30 minutes, which means they’re running around for two hours apart from breaks between the quarters. A free kick is given against a player who kicks the ball over the boundary line on the full, or purposely kicks it towards the boundary line. Otherwise if the ball runs over the boundary line during play, a boundary umpire tosses the ball back in over his head. Two tall players called ruckmen jostle and try to hit the ball to one of their own players. This allows for a neutral contest. There are too many ways free kicks can be given to mention here. Best to search the Internet for books/videos on the rules/laws of AFL. That oval ball won’t bounce properly unless you know what you’re doing. However considering that most Australian babies have a football in their hands before they can walk, they have plenty of time to grow up practising it. Junior clubs are all over the country, and there are kids of all ages that bounce the ball perfectly, as well as mastering the other skills. The top team at the end of the regular season is called the “minor premier.” But we don’t care about that really, it’s those finals and who wins the grand final that we go nuts about. There are two parts to the final eight, we’ll call them the first four and the second four. Teams play-off in the first four and get a second chance if they lose, they then play the winners of the games in the second four and the losers of the second four are eliminated. If you search around, you will find a broadcast of AFL games in America, the UK and other places. Season is now over and will start a new season in April 2023. Aussie rules is played as an amateur sport in many countries in the world, If you look it up you’ll find AFL leagues in your area. Because it’s amateur it’s nowhere near as brutal as our game, and it’s more a social type game played for fun with beers and barbecue afterwards. In America they have the USAFL, which comprises 40 different leagues including a women’s league. Beginning in 1858 our game was codified before any of the other sports, it was actually invented to keep cricket players fit during the off-season. It’s debatable that some aspects of the game were taken from the aboriginal game known as Marn Grook, where aboriginal people have been kicking a pig skin around for centuries. Welcome to the most exciting game on the planet. Cheers

[@Mythsandstorys]

Mate great explanation

[@rickyd.989]

@@Mythsandstorys Cheers.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Wow! What an a amazing explanation. Thanks so much for taking the time to write all that. This answers a lot of questions. Now I just need to watch some games. I am definitely putting seeing a live game in Australia on my sports bucket list.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

I’d also add that I think most societies around the world had some version of a goal scoring game with use of a ball. Here in the Americas as well. Must be a human instinct.

[@rickyd.989]

@@johnf-americanreacts1287 You’re welcome mate, always willing to help those who appreciate our great game.

[@gladishilton1943]

The shortest explanation of Aussie Rules Footy (AFL): 2000 years there were Roman Gladiators, today you have AFL players.

[@voltboyygaming06]

You should watch the most recent AFL explained video. Its called "A beginner’s guide to Australian Football | AFL Explained"

[@elizabeth10392]

It didn't evolve from Rugby. It is it's own thing. ❣️

[@jpmasters-aus]

More connected to Gealic Football and basketball.

[@RickyisSwan]

@@jpmasters-aus The important thing is that Aussie rules was “codified” before any of the other sports.

[@RickyisSwan]

How they think it is like rugby I don’t know. The tackling is the only thing remotely like it, The rest of the game has no similarity to rugby whatsoever.

[@RWB1111]

Neither Gaelic football or basketball??? _ it originates from the indigenous game “Marn Grook”

[@stevebrickshitta870]

@@RWB1111 keep telling yourself that, and imagine it's true. Facts say otherwise. Please don't start crying about it either.🖕😘🖕

[@Shnordy]

AFL demands more of it's athletes than any other sport in the world. The more you watch the more you will come to realize this. Player have to run an average of 13 - 16 Kilometers every game.

[@glenchapman3899]

No it doesn't. A study about 10 years ago showed that Rugby League players need a higher athleticism. For example the average NRL player runs approximately 5k backwards in a normal game. Which apparently is a lot more intensive than running forward.

[@RickyisSwan]

@@glenchapman3899 The difference is the skill level. NRL players run until tackled, but don’t have to bounce the oval ball which takes skill whilst running flat out. Then there is handball which is harder than throwing it. Quite a few NRL players have tried to play Aussie rules and apart from the very young, only a few have made a successful transition. Don’t know of any AFL players have changed over to rugby. This is because the game has no appeal compared to the excitement of fast moving, high scoring thrills of our game. The basic difference is fans of NRL get their jollies mainly from the rough stuff/fighting aspects, whereas whilst ours is hard-hitting, that’s less important to us than the skill factor including the high marking. The appeal of Aussie rules can be judged by the number of people who want to go and watch it. NRL struggles to get more than 15,000 people to their match of the day, compared to a couple of top Aussie rules games which can draw as many as 90,000 people. Even though rugby is played in many countries of the world, none of those countries draw enough crowds to feature in the top four crowd drawing sports in the world. A friend tried to convert me to rugby, but I was bored to tears with the stop/start nature of the game. Our American friend even said he finds his own NFL game hard to watch because of all the stopping in play which is also the annoying thing about rugby. It is folly to compare the athleticism of the two games. Your players are predominantly bigger bodies to withstand the crash bang of rugby, compared to the leaner, more agile physiques necessary for our faster, more skilful game. The AFL have recently signed a broadcast deal of $5.4 billion compared with around $2.5 billion for rugby broadcast rights. As I said, the way to judge which is the more appealing game is by the number of people who wish to watch it. Even my Sydney Swans, (I’m ex South Melbourne) get one and a half times to twice as many fans at the SCG than the rugby match of the Day, even if it’s not a marquee game with the top team opponent. According to research, the Parramatta eels have the most fans of any Sydney based NRL club. That’s 460,000 fans. So even in rugby mad New South Wales, the Sydney Swans have 1.1 million fans. Enjoy your rugby, whilst I will stick to AFL. 🦢🦢🦢

[@RickyisSwan]

@@ToddBrittain1963 For sheer endurance you’re probably right. However it’s a different type of athleticism. Rowers don’t have to also run and bounce the ball, kick the ball, mark the ball, etc. our players need to use just about every muscle, so even cyclists wouldn’t last long doing all the things as above . I was a carpenter climbing around house frames, and I was extremely fit. One day another guy and myself decided to see how far we could long jump, and we did this for all lunch hour. The next day I could hardly move because of different tension on muscles etc. So there’s a lot more to it than just endurance.

[@ToddBrittain1963]

@@RickyisSwan I ended up deleting my reply

[@williamschubert4819]

AFL players run around 1 to 2 miles more per game than soccer/football players.

[@mediatick33]

Here in Australia the main ground is called the MCG in Melbourne it is where the AFL grand final is held every year and he seat count there is one hundered thousand and twenty four.

[@maniacmitch1]

20 x 6 + 10 x 1 = 130 is how the scores work. Only a few teams play in front of 75K+ on a regular basis but the average is about 40-50k as that's all the stadium can hold.

[@reneepope-munro8115]

Not you triggering 99% of the watchers of this video in the first 30 seconds by saying the game evolved from rugby 😂

[@archcollie5708]

Best Game on the planet. Fast, brutal, non-stop and exciting. Welcome to the AFL.

[@marionthompson3365]

I'm not a fan of AFL but it's very exciting live. Fast, energetic and some truly exceptional athletes.

[@PianoDiary85]

It sounds like you're a fan of the AFL.

[@osocool1too]

Correction....AFL didn't evolve from rugby, but was derived somewhat from Gaelic football. A goal = 6 points while a behind = 1 point. The MCG Melbourne Cricket ground has a 100,000 capacity whilst come other grounds can hold up to 50,000.

[@grahamjeffries1058]

The Grand Final is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (not a pitch) and it's capacity is 100000. Other grounds in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth have capacities in the 50000 to 60000 range. Tackling is mainly from behind as it a form of chasing an opposition player with the ball. A player can be tackled from the front but risks head high contact which is highly regulated now with suspensions due to concussions. Probably stamina is the 1 to highlight for the sport. Really don't have that in gridiron. The score of 20 10 130 is 20 goals of 6 points each (120) plus the 10 points/behinds = 130 total score. After each goal, the play returns to the centre square where the ball is bounced in the middle and the 2 ruckman compete for the ball (as shown in the clip). There is a 30 second gap for this and commercial(s) are played in that time. There is a 5 minute break at quarter and 3rd quarter times and 20 minutes at half time where a combination of commentary and commercials occur.

[@graemekelly]

I'm Australian and have not ever played a game of AFL. Football before. But like yourself I'm a soccer/Football fan and played both outdoors and indoors varieties of the game. A fan and follower of AFL I am though. With my team the Geelong Cats winning the Grandfinal or equivalent of the SuperBowl this year infront of one hundred thousand and 22 people

[@jayweb51]

As Aussie Rules was devised to keep cricketers fit during winter, the game is basically played on a cricket oval; slightly egg-shaped, due to it's length being greater than it's width.

[@suemoore984]

Holding the ball is a real no-no. If you are tackled and don't/can't dispose of the ball in a legal way, your opponent gets possession. You can also receive a 50 metre penalty for various infringements, which means that the opponent gets 50 metres closer to their goals

[@getcracking8655]

Aussie Rules is very different cause it is a 360 tackling game. If you have the ball and even sometimes when you are only close to the ball you can get tackled or bumped from any direction. The mor quarters end up going for over 30 minutes. The time is stopped for any minor interruption to the game even some free kickers. Adverts are snuck in after goals and quarter time. It is fast paced and amazing fitness required. In one game a player may run about 15 km.

[@timoshea7034]

some mid fielders average more than 20 km's

[@paulwilliams5208]

Main ovals seating capacity across Australia Gabba(Brisbane) 42,000 (this is about to change due upcoming Olympics) SCG(Sydney) 48,000 - Adelaide Oval 53,500 - Optus(Perth) 60,000 - MCG(Melbourne) 100,024 (AFL holly grail - grand finals(apart from2020 in Brisbane/2021 in Perth due to covid)

[@OldFossil]

I’ve been an AFL fan since day 1 and it means a lot to me to see it get the attention it’s getting abroad. Especially coming from a region that sleeps on the great game ❤

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Hey, I’ve always liked my Aussie cousins and I do feel line we have some things in common. We are children of the empire that had to take a big wild content. Sport is always a reflection of society and I think Aussie rules is such a great reflection of Australian awesomeness and I love it. Will learn the game soon

[@OldFossil]

@@johnf-americanreacts1287 love to hear it mate. It definitely is a reflection of our great country. The uniqueness of it reflects on our unique culture in the land of down under ❤️

[@primategaberocco]

Very few sports where you'll see someone's nose get flattened broken, they run off, dust off blood, pack nose with gauze and bum cream, run back out and continue your stop, start sprinting for 15klm.. LOL while breathing through your mouth, and continually get already broken nose,, repeatedly love tapped cause your opponent loves you. You need toughness, stamina and balls. 🤣👍 For 2 long hours.

[@macman1469]

To give you an idea of how big Aussie rules (AFL) is in OZ . Soccer became a summer sport and Rugby League make sure their big games don't clash with AFL. If the AFL is on no-one else can get a decent crowd.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Wow! So cool. I’m in on AFL.

[@Quinctili]

@@johnf-americanreacts1287 the 2005, 2006 and 2018 Grand Finals are worth watching. The feeling in the crowd is so electric, you could power Australia for a month!

[@macman1469]

@@Quinctili GO WEST COAST EAGLES. PREMIERS 2023.

[@Quinctili]

@@macman1469 I admire your optimism, but not your intelligence. We need 15 new, great players this year, another 10 in the next and the following year, but I don't see that happening.

[@macman1469]

@@Quinctili Where there's hope there's joy. So GO WEST COAST.

[@trevorholden7423]

the example score shown 20/10/130 is written in Goals/Behinds/Points, ie 20x6/10x1/=130(total points)

[@inflatablepenguin]

you don't "still" get a point for hitting the post you ONLY get a point for hitting the post, as opposed to 6 points for a goal.

[@EarlJohn61]

The *MCG* [Melbourne Cricket Ground] has the highest capacity of any ground in Australia. I believe that for Safety concerns it is capped at 1,000,024, if safety wasn't a concern there'd be a few more able to squeeze in. The MCG, Adelaide Oval, & Football Park (also in Adelaide) had matches in the 1970s (pre-AFL) where the spectator area was full, so people were directed to sit between the boundary fence & the boundary line, closer to the action than you'd get in a Basketball game. Most other grounds can hold between 40,000 & 60,000. Also there is no specific ground size other than the playing surface of the oval must be a MINIMUM of 135 metres long and a MINIMUM of 110 metres wide *(for a minimum size of 1.16 ha or 2.88 acres)* . Within these set minima you can get much variation: eg: Kardinia Park [Geelong] is 170 x 115, [15,300] (~3.75 acres) The MCG is 171 x 146, [19,600] (~4.85 acres) Adelaide Oval is 167 x 124, [16,200] (~4.00 acres) The SCG [Sydney] is 155 x 136, [16,500] (~4.05 acres) Optus Stadium [Perth] is 170 x145 [19,300] (~4.75 acres) _All of these are in meters and represent the maximum length x the maximum width [square meters] (approx. acreage )_ There are other grounds around Australia, notably the Woolloongabba oval in Brisbane, but also in Launceston, Cairns, Alice Springs, Darwin, many country towns, Shanghai (China) and each will have its own dimensions but they must exceed the minima set for the AFL to agree that they'll be allowed to host an AFL match.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Amazing. So damn cool. I can’t even wrapped my mind around cricket. One great Aussie sport at a time. I’m

[@jayweb51]

General rule of thumb is to count your steps, usually 8 steps with each foot; but players who take bigger strides might only take 6 with each foot.

[@timoshea7034]

it is not that complicated I played league football for East Perth it becomes second nature when you played it for a long time and you do not count your steps, the only time people get caught running to far is when you are in two minds when looking for an option to pass the ball on , that is why most coaches will drill into you always take the first option it is generally the best and you give the opposing team less time to defend speed is every thing apart from maintaining possession not turn the ball over, the basics kicking marking and handball must be of high quality to do so. hence the saying keep it simple stupid.

[@aussiebushie]

I thought it mandatory running in possession f the ball, to bounce the ball every ten paces. It was so, many years ago, but nothing stays the same

[@ChrisAnderson42]

The fans sure can tell when a player's run too far, and scream out "TOO FAR" so loudly. Or the best one is when a player is tackled and fails to dispose of the ball properly, they scream out in unison. "BAAAAAAALLLL" haha Aussie Rule crowds are awesome. One of the biggest games I have ever attended was the first ANZAC Day game. 94,000+ crowd watched as fierce rivals Essendon and Collingwood kicked 33 goals between them. My favourite player, Saverio Rocca kicked 9 himself. It was goal for goal in the last Quarter and The game ended in a draw. It was just Amazing.

[@juliebird5307]

You can bounce the ball as many times a you like, you can’t go further than 15 metres without the ball touching the ground. You can use the opponent as a lift for a mark as long as you don’t put your hands on him. The scoreboard shows goals(6points each) behinds(1 point ) and total points. These players can run up to 10 -12 kilometres(6-7.5 miles) a game.

[@aussiedude5804]

The “bounce” is not explained properly, you don’t have to bounce it every 16 yards, as in on the 16 yard point, you are not allowed to run further than 16 yards without the ball touching the ground at least once anywhere within that 16 yard length, once it has you then have another 16 yard length distance to bounce it anywhere within that length again. If it’s a wet and slippery day (impossible to bounce) you are allowed to simply touch the ball on ground while running

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Thanks so much for all the additional info. So damn cool and I could see in the 5 minute video that it is quite different to rugby. I definitely want to watch some games so I can get a better sense of it. I imagine it is so hard to bounce an oblong ball like that without it taking off in all directions.

[@MAKelly2121]

Also 16 yards is 15 metres. Australia has the metric system

[@MAKelly2121]

@@johnf-americanreacts1287 bouncing the ball becomes second nature when you start at such a young age. No doubt it would take time to master, but once you have the correct technique, it isn't too hard. That's not to say that even the most experienced players don't mess it up at times!!!

[@tmtomh6387]

20 goals for 6 points plus 10 behinds for 1 point each equals 130 points And you jump on a teammate’s back not just an opposition player. In paid cable TV there are breaks but on free to air there is sometimes a quick ad break while teams gather in the centre for a bounce.

[@kevinohara2618]

you can jump on an opponent, but you must be going for the ball not early or late and keep your eyes on the ball, pay to view stations dont have breaks until quarter/half time

[@bonoroo5313]

G'day mate, I hope you take the time to learn the rules and understand our great game, once you do it will look less like headless chooks running around and more like the slick cohesive game it is. Another reactor, Rob from England was first introduced to the game 18 months ago on his reaction channel 'Rob Reacts' and loved it so much he ended up making a trip here last month to watch two games, including the GF. He declared it to be the best sport in the world, even though he loves soccer and coaches a junior team.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Thanks. I’ll have to check out his reaction to see how a foreign Football fan developed into an AFL fan. Maybe I can follow in his footsteps.

[@Ausecko1]

It's funny seeing Rob mentioned in all these sorts of videos now - good on him for getting on the news for making it over for the games too

[@simontrencher8245]

The original rules have constantly changed since it's beginning. Original reports said the football ground was 3 miles long and it took days to complete a match (game). It's true that Tom Wills invented the game for the purpose of keeping cricketers fit during the off season (winter).

[@MAKelly2121]

The average crowd for the 2022 season was 32,000. The Grand Final, which was played in late September, attracted a crowd of just on 100,000 (it's capacity). Some of the more popular teams would play in front of 50,000+ average. Apart from the intervals between quarters, the only time commercials are shown, are after a goal is kicked, and there's only time for 30 seconds of commercials before play restarts. On average there would be approx 6-7 goals kicked per quarter.

[@karenstrong8887]

This years Grand Final broke the crowd record of over 105,000.

[@BG-id2cv]

@@karenstrong8887 Sorry Karen but the Grand Final record is 121,696 for the 1970 Grand Final between Carlton and Collingwood. The crowd was so large then because there were vast areas of standing room only. Today for 100,000, patrons are virtually all seated.

[@MAKelly2121]

@@karenstrong8887 the official attendance was 100,024

[@Mythsandstorys]

The 30,000 average crowd is only because Gold Coast and giants barley get any crowds

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

@@karenstrong8887 Just wow!

[@peterhoz]

TV ad breaks: after each goal there's usually 1 ad. 30 seconds. The play is restarted in the centre after approx 40sec. Cable TV goes ad-free during each quarter. Re scores: 20 10 130 is 20 goals (20x6 = 120) plus 10 behinds = 130 points. Just like most football codes, there's different scores for different things (touchdown, field goal, conversion etc) except we display the breakdown of the total, similar to Gaelic and Hurling. The big stadiums hold around 50-60,000. MCG where the grand final is, holds 100,024. It has been expanded since the 90,000 plus quote in the video. It gets 80,000+ numerous times during the season and tops 90,000 on occasions. Grand Final is always 100,000. The first football match, any code, to regularly draw 10,000 spectators was Aussie Rules in the 1800s in Melbourne. When you consider the population back then, vs say London, that's an amazing statistic.

[@tonypbria3107]

G'day mate. I am glad that you have discovered Aussie Rules footy. I am a bigger American football fan (Dallas in the NFL and Notre Dame in the College ball) than Aussie Rules but I love watching it especially when my team Port Adelaide Power plays. I'm also a soccer fan following Juventus in the Serie A and Liverpool in the EPL. Anyhow, Aussie Rules is probably more exciting than NFL due to it not being a stop-start game like American Football. Just a couple of terms you might hear watching an Aussie Rules game. The word "mark" just means a fair catch. Once a player marks the ball they can either take a set kick or they can continue playing on. You seemed impressed with the high flyers taking marks while climbing up onto the shoulders of another player. You may hear those marks referred to as a "speccie", short for spectacular. The word speccie is not an official name but it's used so often it may as well be. Well I have waffled on enough. Keep watching the game and learn as much as you can about it. It's hard to beat the excitement of Australian Rules Football.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Thanks for your great comment. I’m a Man City fan in EPL, largely because they are the big sister to my own MLS team, New York City FC. It also doesn’t hurt that Man City is so good. Lol. So is their big rival in Liverpool though. Very competitive season so far wi th Arsenal playing super well too.

[@berranari1]

@@johnf-americanreacts1287 Man City has a little sister in Australia called Melbourne City. I go for another team in Melbourne called Melbourne Victory. In the AFL I go for the Collingwood Magpies. I love American Football. In the NFL I go for the Baltimore Ravens. Fun fact, this year's AFL was won by the Geelong Cats and the NRL was won by the Penrith Panthers. These teams have little to do with each other except their mascots are cats. Geelong was formerly called the "Black Cats" but changed to "Cats" and are dark blue and white.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

@@berranari1 Oh cool. I think I heard that Australia had a team in the City Football group family. How are Melbourne City? Right now New York City (also known as NYCFC) just won their conference semifinal in the MLS cup playoffs. They are defending champs.

[@johnfloris7579]

The average attendance on a home and away game is 45 thousand people but the big games say between Richmond vs Collingwood at the MCG is anything from 75.000 to 100.000 people in attendance , the grand final is most of the time 98.000 to 105.000

[@shmick6079]

Interesting you said you’ve never seen an oval field before… in my head I’m thinking “so you’re not familiar with cricket either!” Australian football is literally played on cricket grounds during cricket’s offseason.

[@WrinklyTraveller]

The beauty of the AFL being our native sport is that the fans are truly dedicated and it’s a real tribal mentality. Some fans absolutely lose their cool, especially in blockbuster matches and historical rivalries between old foe clubs and State based clubs. There’s around 26 other countries that play the game and there is a triennial International Cup tournament which is like a World Cup but Australia is not permitted to compete because of our professional status within the game. Papua New Guinea has won the tournament 3 times since it began in 2002. There is also a national league in the USA with 50 member clubs with 48 having men’s teams. Being a Collingwood supporter, I follow the NYC Magpies.

[@brosert]

AFL has released a newer video (earlier this year) that IMO explains it a lot better....(although this one was designed for the American market)

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

I’ll have to check it out.

[@KJs581]

Glad you like it mate. The rules are all there to make the game flow/keep it moving, and make sense if you know why they are there. It's actually 15 yards (dunno where they got "16" from, but small diff). Umpires estimate it, but they generally just count their paces/that gives them an idea how far they have traveled. If not bounced, that is "holding the ball" - gets given as a free kick to opposition. The high mark is a feature, and very high often called a "speckie"; ie "spectacular". Stadiums generally hold from 60,000 to 100,000. Average game attendance is 40 to 80 k for general games. The grand final gets 100,000 at the MCG, generally acknowledged as the largest stadium. The one grand final I went to (1992) was 95,000 attendance approx. Cheers; 🙂

[@Shemegory]

A yard is 91cm, Need to bounce it before 15m, or 16y

[@jayweb51]

The average attendance for an AFL games is roughly 30,000 spectators, so for nine games per round that's roughly 270,000 spectators each week; and there are 23 rounds in a season, not counting the finals which is another four weeks. The last week of finals is the Grand Final, and can have around 90,000 plus; the larges crowd for home and away game was roughly 54,000 spectators, the size of the crowds is dependent upon the size of the stadium and possibly the teams playing.

[@stevelozevski8151]

Great reaction my friend. There is no doubt you would enjoy watching footy. These guys are some of the best athletes in the world

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

I can see that. It’s like if soccer, rugby and American football had a baby, and then you gave that baby steroids and told the, to go F Shit up, you have AFL. 😂

[@BomberFletch31]

The player wearing number 31 at 1:34, kicking a goal from about 75 metres out, is Dustin Fletcher, a legendary full back for the Essendon Bombers, the team that I love passionately, and who was my inspiration for my KZbin handle. Fletcher is 6' 6" (198cm) tall. His career spanned from 1993-2015 when he retired at the age of 40, with 400 AFL games, which puts him 5th on the all-time list of players with the most games. He is also the father of Mason Fletcher and Max Fletcher who are both playing in the NFL. Mason plays for the Bearcats, and Max for the Razorbacks (yes, I had to look up who they play for, because I've no idea about NFL). Google tells me that Mason is a bit taller than his dad.

[@pettee1979]

I see Dustin every now and then in the local Fish and Chips!!!!

[@cybelsia]

The reason it's played on an oval is that we also use the same pitch for cricket. In fact when they were looking to create/formalise the game they were looking for a sport for the winter months to train during the off season of cricket. I see someone else has written about that. But basically they wanted to use all the same stadiums but create a winter sport. As for how it's televised vs American gridiron. You will normally get a few advertisements if/when there are formal goals while they replay the goal and the umpires run the ball back to the centre and the players set up for the next ball bounce. But the ads are based around the game and less of the game is based around ad time. There is stop/start and depending on coach's strategies different games can be more free flowing than others but actually back a few years ago too many coaches were trying to think too defensively and so the governing body stepped in to create some new rules intended to try to open the game up more to keep the game from being too stop/start. They want people to enjoy the game and they think if it becomes too much like rugby or gridiron that people will stop watching it because that's what people love about our sport. There are tons of people on Dustin Martin's internet who would love to help you understand this sport. Free free to ask whatever questions you like. There are tons of us here with lots of free time seeing as the season just ended. (ps. If choosing a team I always Suggest Richmond is a great team to barrack for)

[@Ausecko1]

barrack for Richmond? yeah nah mate, root for the Eagles! (in every sense ;) )

[@DartFrog815]

when it showed the final score it looked like this Collingwood- 20 10 130 or e.g. (20)x6 = 120pts/goals, (10)x1=10pts/behinds, total score being (130)pts Carlton- 18 12 120 or e.g. (18)x6=108pts/goals, (12)x1=12pts/behinds, total score being (120)pts it keeps track of not just the total score but how many goals and behinds were scored

[@joebowler3017]

Huge Irish influence in the origin of the Afl

[@Dr_KAP]

What you’ll notice when you watch a game is that it’s non stop action. The game is played 360 degrees in the sense that there is no offside and the score lines are always very big- something like 140 to 110 would be quite normal. No tries or touch downs like rugby and gridiron, it’s much more of a kicking game - like soccer- but you can handle the ball. Football in Australia could mean AFL or Rugby League depending on which state you live in. Rugby League is dominant in NSW and Queensland. AFL originated in Victoria and was originally intended to keep cricket players fit in the off season.

[@michaelfink64]

Glad you enjoyed it. It's not really much like rugby. It was an Australian invention that was devised as a way to keep cricketers fit over winter. That is why it is played on an oval cricket ground. The first game was played in 1858 in Melbourne and the game was codified in 1859, making it one of the oldest codes of football in the world. Unlike rugby, in addition to being played on an oval, players are distributed over the ground, like soccer, rather than having two lines of opposing teams like rugby and American football. The ball can be passed in any direction and players can be tackled from any direction. This plus the aerial aspect of the game makes it a true 3D game unlike other forms of football. The ball cannot be thrown, only kicked or handballed (punched from the palm with a fit, as described in the video). It is more free flowing than rugby league or American football. However, there are some stoppages. If a player takes a mark (catches the ball on the full after it has been kicked at least 15 m without being touched by another player), the player can elect to take up to 10 s (30 s if they are kicking for goal) to take their kick. If there is a stalemate, with a player being tackled without the opportunity to dispose of the ball, the umpire (note this is the same term as cricket, rather than referee, as used by other football codes) throws the ball up. If the ball goes out of bounds (other than from a kick on the full, which would result in a free kick to the opposition), the ball is thrown in backwards (to ensure impartiality) by the boundary umpire towards the middle of the ground. On free-to-air TV, there are ad breaks for goals for about a minute and on pay TV, there are only breaks at quarter time (5 mins), half time (20 mins) and three quarter time (5 mins). There are no time outs. Quarters usually last about 30 mins, so a whole game takes about 2.5 h, including breaks between quarters. Finally, there are no tries or touchdowns; the ball must be kicked between the gaol posts without being touched to score a goal. So, not really like rugby at all. The video skips over a few things that makes it confusing for people trying to figure the game out. The ball must be bounced every 15 m (they say 16 yards in the video because I think the target audience is Americans). The players and umpires don't actually count the steps or use line markings to determine the distance. When you have been playing and/or watching footy most of your life, it is pretty obvious when a player has run too far. It is a pretty uncommon way for a free kick to be given and won't occur in most games (the free kick for running too far, not running and bouncing the ball; that happens all the time). The score line is also inadequately described. The first number is the goals scored, the second, the behinds and the third, the total. So 20 10 130 means 20 goals (20 x 6 = 120 points), 10 behinds (10 points) = 130 points total. This is a pretty high score. Most scores are 90 - 100 points per team for a game. The reason that you get points for "missing" is really as a tiebreaker. If you just counted the goals, there would be a reasonable number of draws (though not as often as in soccer/football, since many more goals are scored in Aussie rules). Most seasons, there might be one or occasionally two draws out of 207 games. The stadiums vary in size. The largest is the Mebourne Cricket Ground (MCG or just "the G"; we love to abbreviate things here). It holds a smidge over 100,000 (not sure why the video calls this "90,000+"). Next are Optus Stadium in Perth (60,000), Adelaide Oval (53,500), Marvel Stadium, also in Melbourne, and the only Aussie rules stadium with a retractable roof, 53,359, Sydney Cricket Ground, 48,000, Gabba in Brisbane, 42,000, GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, 36,000 (undergoing rebuilding which will increase the capacity to 40,000), Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast, 27,500, Giants Stadium, Western Sydney, 24,000. There are several "second tier" venues, with smaller capacities, at smaller cities that some clubs play a few games at each year. Big games in the regular home and away season can attract crowds around 80,000. The 2022 Grand Final attendance was 100,024. The average AFL attendance in 2022 was 32,620 which means that the crowds have not recovered from the pre-COVID levels, which were around 36,000.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Wow! Great an detailed info mate. Much appreciated. I’m enjoying learning more about our Aussie cousins.

[@stevepitt1414]

On commercial television they shoe one add between each goal, but on pay tv and streaming services there are no adds except between quarters

[@Goatcha_M]

You can tackle from any direction, as long as its between knees and shoulders, but its generally from back or side as your chasing the player. You can also just slam into them, using Hip and Shoulder and those are the ones that Hurt.

[@stephenanthony6508]

Just a little added info, the boundary line is 400yds, it used to be that distance before we went to metres. So 4 laps was a mile. The grand final usually draws 96,000 before the addition of commercial boxes, it was up to 115,000 at the grand final

[@Goatcha_M]

Stopped time gets added to the end of each 1/4 so the 20 minutes is usually 30 and the game ends up going for 2 hours play time, plus two 15 minute quarter-time breaks and half hour half-time. On commercial TV they generally take a 60 second add break after each goal as it takes time to get the goal back to centre square for the Bounce, and larger breaks at the quarter times. On Pay TV they often run commercial free during the quarters. Either way its full on action, not like Grid Iron where its an add break every 30 seconds.

[@mikeythehat6693]

Every time a goal is scored , the ball is run back to the centre for a restart by the Umpire . The t.v. stations use this 30 second period for ad breaks . So yeah there are ad breaks when watching it on the teev , but they are very short and you don't miss any of the game . 90,000 plus crowds during the regular season are NOT typical but they do happen . An average would be about 30 to 40 thousand maybe , some are as small as 5,000 though . It just depends , on who's playing and where and when .

[@madlaugher3300]

The average seat count in an Australian football stadium can vary depending on the venue and the level of competition being played. The largest Australian football stadium is the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, which has a seating capacity of over 100,000. The MCG is one of the largest stadiums in the world and regularly hosts Australian football matches, as well as cricket and other sporting events. Other large Australian football stadiums include Docklands Stadium in Melbourne (also known as Marvel Stadium), which has a seating capacity of approximately 53,000, and the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, which has a seating capacity of around 53,500. Smaller stadiums used for Australian football matches can have seating capacities ranging from a few thousand to around 30,000. The seating capacity of a stadium can also depend on the specific configuration of the venue, with some stadiums having standing room areas in addition to traditional seats. Overall, the average seat count in an Australian football stadium can vary greatly, but it is safe to say that most stadiums used for the sport have seating capacities of at least several thousand people.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Wow, amazing info. Thanks friend

[@robwhitmore3040]

There are commercial breaks for 30 seconds after each goal on free to air TV. On pay TV, there's no ads during the quarters. The game stops for around 1 minute after each goal, so you see one ad, then 30 seconds of replays and discussion of the goal before the game starts again. I would say our average stadium holds around 60,000. Ther average attendance would be about half that. The Melbourne Cricket Ground where the Grand Final is played at the end of the year can hold 100,000 people.

[@randallridnour8954]

The largest Stadium (the one featured in the video) is in Melbourne (and is actually a cricket ground in Summer), the seating capacity is around 100,000. For a grand final these seats are all sold.

[@pamelasparkes-bm5oz]

The MCG holds just over 100,000 , it used to hold 121,000 before they bought in seating in the bottom tier . I always go to the first round Richmond -Carlton game which is just a standard game not finals ( Richmond supporter here ) and it always has over 70,000 supporters . ANZAC day April 25 has a big clash between Collingwood and Essendon and it pains me to say but that would have to be the second most popular match beside the grand final it’s a big deal even if you hate the teams lol . Marvel stadium also in Melbourne holds over 53,000 spectators . Optus oval in Perth holds 60,000 , Adelaide oval is 54,000 . This is a game where fans go to watch whether it’s rain hail or shine it is played through autumn and winter . The atmosphere at a live game is something you have to experience first hand .

[@berranari1]

Hi there. On channel 7, free to air, they play quick adds after each goal. After a goal is scored the umpires have to run the ball back to the center and the players have to get in position. So, there is about 30 seconds in between a goal and the next center bounce. On Foxtel, cable channel, they boast that the games on their channel are "add free siren to siren". You would probably say hooter to hooter. On the one hand it is nice to see more replays, on the other hand, there are not many adds during a free to air game. There are some during the breaks, but that's when you go and do something like get something to eat.

[@bct8881]

The 16 yards becomes a feel thing pretty quickly in juniors. For me it was 8 steps then bounce. Never actually counted.

[@Mythsandstorys]

I just bounce when I feel like It is needed bouncing the ball just become instinct and I don’t even think about doing it

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Ahh, I see. Thanks

[@rod4607]

Isn’t the actual rule ten paces? I remember commentators counting

[@Mythsandstorys]

@@rod4607 na mate thats just how they judge if they have run to far its not actually the rule

[@bct8881]

@@rod4607 No,but ten paces at a sprint would put most players pretty close to the 16 yard/15 mtr mark,so I imagine a lot of experienced commentators would use ten paces as an approximate measurement

[@jayweb51]

When looking at the score, the first number is the total goals(each goal is worth six points - 20 goals equals 120 points); the second number is the total behinds(each behind is worth one point - 10 behinds equals 10 points), the last number is the total points(goals - 120 and behinds - 10 equals 130 points).

[@jayweb51]

Generally, a player will work out the number of steps required to bounce the ball; with each player having different length of stride, they adjust the number of steps for them to travel the distance. The distance required is not a straight line, as players can change direction during a passage of play.

[@planetpetey]

Crowds can be massive. Depends on the city / stadium hosting the match. In Perth the Optus Stadium holds about 50000. Melbourne arenas hold between 40-90,000.

[@nickb5311]

its up to 16 yards you can bounce before hand but once you've played and or watched the game for a while you can just feel when a players ran too far idk how to describe it you just naturally know he's gone too far but it is the umpires job to watch how far they run. Crowd numbers, i'd say 50-60k average a week is fair to account for low seat stadiums. my local team has over 100k members but only 60k seats. The big games at the MCG will easily pull 90k+ For your question about ads, it all depends where you watch it. If you watch on free to air you'll get an advert or 2 every goal, if you watch on cable or other streaming platforms the only ads you'll get are between the 4 quarters.

[@jayweb51]

The scoreboard can be a bit confusing. The first set of numbers represent the number of Goals kicked, with each Goal worth 6 points; the second Ser of numbers represents the Behinds kicked, with each Behind worth 1 point. The third set of numbers represents the Total number of points scored, and consist of the points value of Goals and Behinds added together; 20 Goals = 120 points and 10 Behinds = 10 points, giving a Total of 130 points.

[@tmaconroblox]

To answer your question, we do have very large stadiums, ranging from 80,000 to over 100,000 seats. But we also have stadiums with 50,000 seats and some have less than 20,000 seats. Those stadiums however are in the more regional areas of Australia.

[@MalevolentProphecies]

To explain how the score is recorded. The example given in the video was 20 10 130. 20 goals (worth 6 points per goal) 10 behinds (1 point each) giving 130 points as the total score for the team.

[@richardkenna149]

Paul Kelly (the singer, not the AFL player) sings of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the opening lines of his song "Leaps and Bounds" kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKXdiqSdntqGetE

[@Goatcha_M]

Average attendance is 37,000 per game. Stadiums vary in size from 24,000 at the smallest end to the MCG which holds over 100,000. Most are between 30k and 60k capacity.

[@matthewcullen1298]

The first number in The score board is goals 6 points, the second is behinds only 1 point So it was 20*6 +10*1 equally 130 points total. A bit weird if you've never seen it before 😃

[@extreamaussieguy2968]

To answer you Ad question. Main breaks have longer ad breaks but there is also a mini (Usually just one Ad) after every goal, as there is a need to cover about 30 seconds while the field gets reset for play.

[@shmick6079]

You don’t get any commercial breaks during the quarters if you’re watching cable (Fox Footy). If you watch free to air (Ch.7), you’ll also have a commercial after each goal.

[@matthewlloyd3255]

Footy has some good highlights - look up Mark of the Year/Mark of the Century for example, or highlights reels of some of the greatest players in the television era. It's rare but unlike soccer/association football you can have a drawn game sometimes - typically about 1-3 games a year end up being drawn. As a Hawks supporter (Hawthorn) I've seen more than my lifetime fair share of grand final wins - 89, 2008 and 2014 being favourites.

[@KelleysQuiltsandCruises]

Completely off topic, but check out the video of Rita MacNeil’s song Working Man with the Nova Scotia miners. Chilling and fabulous at the same time.

[@wilks6]

Several marquis games throughout the season will attract crowds over 60,000, Grand Finals regularly 100,000 biggest crowd in 1970 of 120,000, but the ground configuration has changed, so max capacity at the MCG (biggest Australian stadium) is now just over 100,000.

[@Prsboy78]

A lot of these videos don't mention that you can't use your hands to get on a player back to take a mark(this makes that that much harder). With the score's goals are 6 and behind is 1 therefore when you see the score card the first numbers are the goals times six, the second is behinds and third the total. On average a player can run 12 miles a game. TV advertising usually happens just after a goal and then they return to the centre to bounce the ball but when a behind is score they have to kick it back out from the goal square.

[@BabyDingo33]

Average Crowds: Depending on if it's a popular/well-supported team, from around 30,000 - 80,000. Finals Games (semi-final, Grand final, etc) easily 100,000. The MCG (Grand Final Venue) is slated for an capacity upgrade to around 120,000. Tackles (if legal) are permitted from wherever and however possible. Commercial Breaks are VERY common during AFL Broadcasting. Usually in the 30-60seconds between a goal, and the ball being returned by Umpires to the Centre for a Centre Bounce.

[@GENX.80SGIRL]

MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) holds 100,000+ ppl & it's the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere.. Aussie rules is the best footy code in the world, our season just ended but starts up again in mid march 2023... We just had the GF 3 weeks ago & there was 100,024 ppl at the MCG.. It's a huge thing!!!

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Amazing

[@johntrad806]

I'm a fan of both AFL And NRL . more so NRL as it's easier for me to get to games, as I live close to a stadium. But both games have different types of Athletes. one needs more of a lean build the other more of a bigger build.

[@kippergc1]

Every 16 yard bounce is also based on timing as well, the umpires usually know when it should be bounced, if they hold it to long, it's a foul and the other team player who is closest get a free kick.

[@freedomofchoicelover3734]

Aussie here...AFL is technically called..`FUMBLE FUMBLE KICK`...90% of the game is a boring mess.....

[@julieissom]

Crowd numbers depend on venue. The MCG (Melbourne) has capacity 100,000+

[@Raven-fh2yy]

When a goal is scored the ball is returned to the middle of the ground and the game is restarted from there... coincidentally that takes about the same time as running an advertisment during the broadcast of the game... wasn't designed that way it just is. They don't run ads every goal but now and again they do. The game was originally designed to keep cricket players fit during the winter months when cricket is not played hence it is played on an oval ground the same as cricket. Saves having to have space for the two different sports both use the same ground during their seasons.

[@markmooroolbark252]

Average crowd for my team Collingwood this year was around 55 thousand.

[@carabatzis25]

Crowds are usually between 15k at the low end, up to 100k plus for the Grand Final or even ANZAC day. I well attended match is considered around 35k upwards.

[@Mythsandstorys]

To stop the small crowds they need to stop playing games in the stadiums up in the Northern Territory or tazie cause they bearly get 10k in these places that’s why the average is so shit

[@suemoore984]

This video for some reason doesn't cover the scoring very clearly. The commentator says that a goal is worth 6 points and a behind is worth 1 point, but when the final score is shown, he doesn't explain that the first number is the number of goals (each worth 6 points, so 20 goals = 120 points), the second number is behinds scored and the final number is total points. It's quite possible for a team scoring fewer goals but lots of behinds to beat a team scoring slightly more goals but many fewer behinds. We do have commercials during each quarter, every time a goal is scored (usually only 1 commercial per goal).

[@carmelmcshanag8144]

This particular video makes a lot of comparisons to NFL because it was marketed to NFL fans ... Yep ... they play on an oval (aka - cricket ground) because, apart from being designed to keep cricketers fit in winter, that's what we had available. You don't "have to bounce it every sixteen yards", (adjusted from 15 metres for NRL fans) you just can't run further than 15 metres without bouncing it or passing it ... Yep, you can use the opponent for leverage (they practice this) but there are boundaries as to what is legal. The scoring looks confusing but the 20, 10 - 130 is merely 20 goals (x 6 points = 120), 10 behinds (x 1 - 10) so 120 + 10 = 130. Crowds often depend on who is playing and where they are playing. The MCG will host several games a year to 90,000+ fans and the sport is played across all states in Australia. Capacity varies from stadium to stadium and state to state. Most will hold upwards of 50,000. You can be tackled from any direction as this is a game that can be played in any direction and contact can come from anywhere. Yep, clock is stopped when play is paused, and is added to the end. Most quarters go for 25-30 minutes. There are no yellow or red cards. Umpires report players for plays outside the rules who then face a tribunal and possible fines and suspensions (depending on the charge). There are commercial breaks but only between play ... so after a goal is scored (the ball must go back to the centre), or between quarters. Check out the best Marks of all time ... a mark is merely a clean clatch but some are very spectacular.

[@adoreslaurel]

I have a problem using the word "Football" with regard to the American game, since the only contact between foot and ball is the Punter and the guy who kicks from a "Place" to convert [or whatever they call it over there].

[@ronalddickinson4985]

For advertising great: After every goal a 30second ad Break:Plus 6minutes time between 1st & Third Quarters And 1/2 time break. So a high scoring game with both teams scoring 12 goals= 24ads Plus Quarters Means Sponsors love it: Grand Final Crowds 100,000 But a few Marquee Games Anzac Day:COLLINGWOOD =CARLTON:ESSENDON =RICHMOND And Etc draw 80,000 plus

[@Andy_73]

In Australia like most of the world 16 yards is roughly 15 meters and you generally bounce before you get close. The umpire judges but it’s not measured just a guess.

[@Goatcha_M]

Just about every Yank asks about the bounce distance. You have to bounce within 16 yards (15 metres), not at 16 yards. On the run it takes about 10 steps to cover that distance, so you learn by aiming to bounce every 8 or 9 steps, and after a while you just get a feel for it. Especially the Pros who train a LOT.

[@ianmontgomery7534]

they usually work the 15 metres by counting steps - roughly 10.

[@ThatguyPurps]

My experience was more like "shit, I feel like ive been running a bit.. better kick it" 🤣 which is about 10 steps 🤣

[@jenniferhearn4117]

The USA started playing AFL in 1996 in Wisconsin where the USAFL was formed and today has teams all over America in both men and women’s leagues. They travel to Australia every 4 years to compete in a Championship Cup competing with teams from all over the world except the Australians who are not eligible as they play professionally.

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Wow. I did not know that at all. I’ll have to look into whether there is a team anywhere in my region. It definitely is not widely promoted. Thanks for the tip.

[@JayWhy1964]

The worst part of this video is that it doesn't explain how the score works. The first column is the total goals scored, the middle column is points, and the last column is the total points. Keeping in mind that goals are worth 6 points, you multiply the first column by 6, add the middle column points, which then gives you the last column (total points)

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Right, that’s why I was confused. Thanks for the info.

[@aussiedude5804]

Hi mate, i think Americans get confused about Aussie Rules being closer to rugby because we ALSO play rugby which runs a close second in popularity to Aussie Rules, so the 2 get blurred and you fail to make the distinction between the 2. In reality NFL is much more closely related to rugby, in fact take out the 1st pass being a forward pass and your game is basically still rugby. In regards to the oval field, it’s a cricket field, cricket is played on it in summer, Aussie Rules in winter, the game was originally invented 150 years ago to keep cricketers fit during the winter, cheers

[@stevesymonds7724]

Each quarter is 20 minutes, that's twenty minutes of playing time. The clock stops when the ball is out of bounds either from going over the boundary or when a goal or behind is kicked. The clock also stops when the field umpire decides to restart the game with a bounce because the ball is going nowhere in a scramble for the ball, or when a free kick is awarded. The umpire signals the stoppage with a double whistle blast and then blows the whistle again to restart the clock. This could add 10 minutes or more to the time of each quarter. The clock does not stop when a mark is taken even though the player who took the mark has an unimpeded kick. A kick after a mark is not considered to be a free kick even though it appears to be exactly the same as a free kick. When a goal is kicked, the boundary umpire brings the ball back from the goal area to the centre of the ground, passes it to the field umpire who restarts the game with a centre bounce. This process takes about 30 seconds. The TV station puts an advert in that 30 second spot. If you are at the game, you will see the field umpire looking up at the stand in a particular direction. A light will flash there when the TV ad is over and he can restart the game. There is a five minute break between the 1st and 2nd quarters and the 3rd and 4th quarters. These are usually filled with adverts on TV. The half time break is twenty minutes and five minutes or so of that will be adverts.

[@johngeyer2345]

when you on the Run with the Ball 16 Yards is equivelent to 4psteps or 4 paces , tor 1 step/pacw is 4 feet

[@mareky1234]

G’day Mate, I’m glad you enjoyed it, but This video is unfortunately full of inaccuracies and omissions, and that’s odd since it was the Australian AFL ruling body that commissioned it. (Note, I’ve added some bits of potted history as well). The very first thing to be addressed ( and I will mention it later again in full), but this game is NOT a mix of other games or American games. AND It is absolutely understandable why most might think this so, but it’s simply not true as every game that looks like it might have similar roots, like volleyball and basketball etc we’re invent many years (even decades) later after AFL . So To start with, here are some comments and corrections in no particular order. First of, it’s 15 metres “before” your required to bounce the ball, it’s just been rounded to 16 yards for the American audience, for which the first typical video most get to see was created. Also, you don’t just have to bounce it, you can alternatively bend down whilst running, and touch the ball to the ground as well (although rarely seen nowadays). The MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) holds over 100,000 people, not 90,000. I know the Vid said 90,000 plus, but that implies a lower true figure, so it’s a poor choice of words. They play on Cricket pitches, hence the round oval shape, and since cricket pitches are different sizes, there is no standard pitch size, so any figures that will get quoted, are only average estimates. The 20 minute quarters can have 10 additional minutes PER quarter, not 10 minutes for the whole game. This is a truly 360 degree game, so when they say no offside rule, it’s a massive understatement that you will only understand after watching a few minutes of continuous play. And you can get hit from Any direction at all (and therefore no “Knock on rule”). And what isn’t mentioned at all, is that their is absolutely no “Time Outs” of any description at all, for eg. if a player is injured, the game still continues on around him without stopping. The only exception to this is if he needs to be stretchered of, other wise the play goes on as the injured player walks off, there is video on KZbin with players with clearly broken arms, walking off. This 1st video is an updated version, that fixes most (but not all the) issues and omissions in the Americanised version of the video most people see first. (To be clear, the errors are our fault, i.e. us Aussies, as it was the AFL who wrote the script to help educate US citizens). kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5C2opmEg8ubo68 This 2nd video is done by an Englishman (Pom), and it does a better job of explaining the basics (in regards to the original AFL,s own video), but since some of the rules have changed, it’s also slightly inaccurate too, but not in any fundamental important matters though, and it does give a list of offences that none of the others do, so it’s still worth a watch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5_ZZGWpbc-DsJI. This next vid helps fill in some gaps, but it leaves stuff out too, so it’s only really useful as a supplementary video, but it’s still very good for what it does do. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGXInYGnm5h-rsk This last video nicely wraps it all up. But don’t be put of by it’s apparent length as only the 1st 14 minutes are actually about the game itself as the rest is about the clubs and their history. It also covers how inclusive the game is as well. But whilst you’re of course welcome to see the rest, you only need to see the first 14 minutes to better understand the game, and of those 1st 14 minutes the first 4 minutes are a preamble and a very little bit of history that’s well worth watching too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqXQpmBnoLJ5kNk (Update) Before we move along and in support of the previous Videos closing remarks about Aussie AFL fans. Here’s what happened When Buddy Franklin Scored his 1000th goal (yes that really is One Thousand Goals, NOT including behinds I.E. the One pointers). This milestone has only happened 5 times previously in the 150 year plus history of this game. That’s why the crowd reacted the way they did. The anticipation for this moment was absolutely huge all game. It took nearly half an hour tho clear the cricket ground (pitch). kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpiwZIpsnNN9fck These next videos are not rules related as such, but a bit of everything else of potential interest. To start of with, If your interested in the history of the game, as it’s arguably the oldest game on earth, well at least certain aspects of it are anyway. The following videos should help to enlighten you why this is case. At the 1:27 min mark, they specifically mentioned how the AFL Ruling body, has finally recognised the influence of Marngrook on AFL. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqGtl6eYedZ5nLs To be Clear. It’s the jumping up high (I.E. marking) of the ball component of Marngrook, that’s of specific importance, and is what was carried across to the new game. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYbPeX2dp9Cag5o kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWnHgZd-gr-ch8k This little Documentary has certain facts that have since been clarified and confirmed, as shown in the earlier video suggestions. But the History of Tom Wills is still accurate. Take Note: At 4:31. Specific mention is made of the hand written rules, including a photo of the original hand written rules of what’s now called, Australian Rules Football. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKeZlXSlisiGqK8 What’s now known as Australian Rules, is indeed the first game to have a “standardised” set of “codified” rules of any football code. Another point of interest is that the Australian Aborigines have a PROVEN historical ability to remember and pass on their stories. So to go of track ever so slightly, it’s been discovered that they have racial memories (stories that are passed down over time) that actually date back to before the last ice age. It’s also a proven fact that the Australian Aborigines have the OLDEST Continuous culture of any race, on earth. (Feel free to check this out at your own leisure as it’s fascinating in its own right). . kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYbPeX2dp9Cag5o kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWnHgZd-gr-ch8k To be fair (and clear), just about every game ever invented, basically starts of without written rules. This is especially true of soccer as it’s history dates back to the Middle Ages. Therefore various games (of all sorts) have evolved over time, this is a universal constant. It’s just that Australian Football was specifically created for a very specific purpose right from the very beginning, and so setting out rules was an automatic imperative right from the start. Neither the early forms of soccer or rugby (or any other type of game) had this type of need in their early days. Australia (Victoria to be more specific) was the First Nation to have a 8 hour work day 40 hour work week. So we had Saturday free to play sport, before other countries, this has been postulated as another reason why it was easy for us to create a game in the fashion that we did, and why it was taken up so quickly. What translates to AFL, is the consolidated components of pre Codified Soccer/football, pre codified Rugby, Marngrook etc, as well as some other unique aspects of his own too (like bouncing/touching the ball to the ground), that was then all mixed up and combined into our very own game which we happened to write some rules down before anyone else got around to it. To put it simply, No one has ever denied the fact that AFL is made up of early forms of other football style of games with our own bits added as well. But having said that. AFL actually predates Soccer, Rugby, Gridiron, Basketball, Volleyball etc. So it’s not actually accurate to say that it’s a mix of other sports, as that implies that AFL copied those aspects and that they came first, but to be fair, it is also entirely understandable why that assumption is constantly made. To sum up. These suggestions are about the background and history of AFL. There are other far more exciting videos to watch, such as ones like these. I will start of with what was a pop song in the 70’s but has become the main AFL theme song (their are others). What makes this video specifically interesting was that it was before a lot of the rules to make it a safer game, had been made. It has some spectacular footage. (Just the 5 secs from 0:30 to 0:35, prove this point). And BTW Roy Cazaly was the name of a famous player that could jump, hence the cry “ Up their Cazaly” and thus the title for the song. I maybe biased, but it’s still a damn good song. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqmwaYt4a5aNrLc This one is well worth reacting too. These next vids are of course subjective, and it’s only a taste of what’s on KZbin. I’m not saying they are the best, just a good example of what’s available, and they are all worth reacting to as well. Top 50 AFL Marks of all time kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXLNlHmcd9t8mdU AFL Greatest long Bomb Goals kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5TEc5-CbpucodU The Best AFL Moments of all time kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmaXpqmNjtxoobs Top ten Grand Final moments from the last 10 years kzbin.info/www/bejne/e33NaKx-atygeZI Of course there are plenty more like this that are out there, but I will finish up with one that shows just some of the biggest hits done to a strangely appropriate rap song. Here comes the Boom. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4Gsgmqsga-Mf6M And finally an American ex Gridiron player/Radio jock interviewing an American who plays top level AFL Pat McAfee learns Everything about AFL kzbin.info/www/bejne/joqWkpKvgsyprsk And finally, If your at all interested. Here’s a documentary about the history and it’s players. Not some to react as such. But something some out there might find to be of interest. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIrOXmqMfNR2gdk

[@janiceharrison6792]

A lot of you guys look confused by the scores A goal is 6 points a behind is 1 point The scores you see are as is 20 10 =130- (20 goals-10 points ) 20 (× 6 = 120) +10 (×1=10)=130 18 12 =120 -(18 goals-12 points) 18 (×6=108) +12 (×1=12) =120 Hope you can understand it

[@daleford8411]

AFL is played on ovals because it evolved on existing grounds built for cricket. Interestingly as for cricket there are no standard dimensions and they vary significantly. It's more correct to say Rugby and AFL have common roots in the "Eton Game" than to say AFL evolved from Rugby. There are more similarities than appear on the surface though. In the beginning AFL had a form of offside for restarts and Rugby actually has no offside in general play either, only in set play. Both games share a genuine contest for the ball and a player tackled must release it. Both games award a free set kick for a "mark" or catch but in Rugby it's just in the back QTR of the field.

[@RickyisSwan]

So a few other things for you. Opposition players must stand still on the mark. (apart from being the word for catch, mark is also describing the spot where the opposition must stand where a player has marked the ball.) If the opponent moves before the player takes his kick, the umpire will award at 50 meter penalty to the kicking player, meaning he will be brought forward 50 m. 50 meter penalties can be given for a number of other reasons, including if the opposition player picks up the ball and does not throw it directly back to the kicker, crashing into the player at the moment he marked the ball, another opposition player running between the marking player and the guy standing on the mark. Arguing with or abusing the umpire will also cost a 50 meter penalty. As told, hitting the goal post becomes a point, but if a player hits the outside point post, it is considered kicking out on the full, which gives a free kick to the opposition. When a player is tackled he must dispose of the ball by hand or foot immediately. The umpire will bounce the ball if he considers that the tackled player did not have, “prior opportunity” to release the ball. The tackling player must roll to the side of a player when they hit the ground, because if he falls straight in the players back it will be a free kick against the tackling player for “in the back.” If a player takes a mark, or is given a free kick before the siren goes, The player is still allowed to take a shot on goal if he is deemed to be in reasonable distance of goal. There’s quite a number of other rules, so like I said, via the Internet you can pick up videos or books that explain the lot. Hope this is a little extra help. Cheers.

[@Bobbydazzlla]

Everyone I have ever watched viewing this for the first time talks through the scoring part. Middle posts = goal (6 points). Hit the post or through the outer posts = behind (1 point). So the scores they showed were - Collingwood 20 goals (20x6=120) 10 behinds (10x1=10) - 130 points total Carlton 18 goals (18x6=108) 12 behinds (12x1=12) - 120 points total

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Oops. My bad. Thanks for the comment and info. Much appreciated. Peace from New York.

[@Bobbydazzlla]

@@johnf-americanreacts1287 All good mate - it's not the easiest scoring technique made for a game. I completely understand the WTF moments you all must have with it. 😂

[@MCS_shorts]

In big games the mcg tends to hold around 100,000 the 2022 average was 40,000 spectators a game

[@chefclembrulee7505]

There is an updated rules video that might help with your questions and has bit more information

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

Thanks much friend. I'm excited to follow the season this year.