ICE HOCKEY FAN REACTS: A beginner’s guide to Australian Football | AFL Explained

[@distortedsoul27]

It is played in other countries in more of an amateur sense, the USAFL for example. The only professional league of it is the AFL. You have leagues in Australia that are semi-pro, like the SANFL, VFL, WAFL and so on. A few provinces in Canada have their own leagues. Ontario has a league of nine teams, I believe.

[@archie5818]

to answer your question about the women's league, it was quite slow to start but it's picking up now and is decently watched. Definitely one of the biggest watched women's sports around.

[@terryallen345]

Hi Eamonn, a genuine sports fan enjoys lots of different sports at the same time. Shouldn't be an either or proposition . I thoroughly enjoy your exploration of new things. Keep it up 🇭🇲

[@jamesmaley8427]

AFL has attempted an International Cup in the past - for obvious reasons Australia didn't compete, and teams were restricted on how many Australian players with AFL experience were allowed to compete for other teams. Ireland, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand have had most success, being strong rugby nations and the Irish having Gaelic football.

[@peterflynn2111]

No challenges umpire decide if carried too far

[@ramiromaia592]

There used to be a Canadian who played for the Sydney Swans back in the early 2000s

[@ytQrash]

Mike Pyke, from BC, was a Ruckman for the Swans and won one Premiership.

[@Sligo41.]

Mike Pike one of the most underrated players ever.Proved the haters wrong big time. A credit to his teammates,and to his toughness and perseverance.Did Canada proud.

[@mikeythehat6693]

The ball is shaped like a Rugby ball except it's narrower through the waist. It's also made of leather whereas a Rugby ball is synthetic.

[@dolorousvin7731]

Enjoying your reactions. A few suggestions. Top 50 Marks - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqeUgqOPd5tqjrM Top 50 Goals - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJ_FZptvnJeVd6c (You said you enjoyed kicking skills, this might be a good one). and maybe some individual player highlights Byron Pickett (might be my bias because he played for my team - but a good demonstration of the physical/defensive game) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJeZqGh_ppyNp80 "Buddy" Franklin (recently retired - an all time great) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6TWZYSwjZagiM0 Dustin Martin (still playing - (a very powerful, and skillful player) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3S7nYqGZcirmNE Eddie Betts - (an amazing freakish goal kicker) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4CZm6mDo9iga5I

[@kennnnys]

Biffs bumps and brawlers

[@adamparker9765]

Everyone thinks because of the shape of the ball that its like rugby , but it really isnt . Rugby is played on a rectangle shaped pitch like NFL, with the two opposing teams facing each other and you are passing the ball by throwing it backwards and running forward with it. AFL is on an oval ground almost twice as big and play is 360 degrees . AFL is a much more endurance , running game with more skills that need to be mastered . The ball its self isn't as fat as a rugby ball to but its bigger and lighter than an NFL ball so its easier to kick. The professional players can kick it up to 60 m , some up to 80 m ,so you can see why the NFL is picking ex AFL players as punters. There are now amature clubs all over the world with 150 in the US alone , Canada , Europe, India , Japan , every 4 years the international teams meet and represent their countries in a competition in Australia which is a lot of fun for everyone. One of my cousins actually coaches a team in the US at the moment.

[@clintonsmith9178]

Because you said you like the kicking part of rugby and league, check out the best of the decade 2010-2019 marks, goal, hits and tackles. You'll love it! Keep up the great work champ

[@barnowl.]

The older video- 'What Is AFL?' - is slightly better , with some different information. After that check out the video about USA - Aussie player, Mason Cox, 'Dare To Dream'. There are amateur Aussie Rules footy teams in Canada and the USA.

[@zwieseler]

Do you mean, “Don’t Believe in Never” ?

[@buff_stuff]

@@zwieseler No the "AFL Explained" video

[@kieranjoel5251]

Pros and cons with the older video - they mention 90,000 for the grand final which is well below, and other rule changes which don’t align. This one is better for now

[@LM-EntertainmentAustralia]

@@kieranjoel5251 totally agree. this one is better - also, the old video said things which confused first-time watchers including not explaining marks clearly and effectively. more importantly though - they didnt explain the "scoreboard" which leaves most people scratching their heads. also, that older video said "you can handball the ball forward" which some have interpreted as meaning you can't handball backwards or laterally.

[@unoriginalsyn]

I agree with these recommendations 👍😂

[@gearoidosullivan356]

The closest there is to an international game is where Australia and Ireland play a compromise rules game using elements of Aussie Rules and Gaelic football. But that's a whole other thing 😀😀 As for the video saying its the best sport to watch, that's not quite right, as the answer is Hurling 😀 But seriously, Aussie Rules is an incredible sport, and the athleticism is amazing. The ball they use is a bit odd, and their skill in kicking it is impressive.

[@suemoore984]

15 minutes is the minimum length of a quarter in the women's league. Men's league has 20 minute quarters. Both have extra time for stoppages. Thus, a game can consist of 2 hours of play, plus the three breaks.

[@PluckYeah]

Yeah, he was confused..

[@Sarcastic_Cow]

Not sure if it would be blocked for you or not but game replays are on the AFL website. Even just watch a few minis to get the feel for the game. A full game would go for around 2hrs, the minis are more than highlights and show the keys moments. Once you have the feel for the game, "Last 2 minutes" clips are usually epic.

[@boxhead3997]

The women's league started a little rough, and then added a bunch of teams meaning the talent pool was a bit too far spread initially, but it's really quickly improving into a product seriously worth watching. When Geelong's women team came to town, our family went to the game, and it was great fun: solid quality football and a good crowd turnout as well.

[@Rassskle]

The best 10 or 50 videos of marks, hits, tackles etc are probably a good watch......but never come close to being the REAL best of.... For a game to watch i recommend the 1989 Grand Final between Hawthorn and Geelong. One of the toughest games i have seen in over 60 years of watching ( and about 59 years of understanding the game ). This game had it all......2 teams ready to die for the win. 12 players hospitalised after the game, and a few sent to hospital during the game. One player taken out at the opening bounce plays the entire game, over 120 minutes of actual play, with brocken ribs and a split kidney. His team mate had his ribs also brocken late in the 2nd quarter, before half time. He then played the second half, over an hours play, with a collapsed lung . When the siren sounded to end the game, he collapsed as well......in too much pain to walk or stand.

[@RemyBonnici]

I said it in your last video and ill put it here. "Afl hits - know your enemy" Best one there is for hits. 💥

[@adamparker9765]

It doesn't exactly show the meaning behind the game and most of the big hits are illegal and result in reports . hardly a good way to showcase the best things about the game.

[@RemyBonnici]

@adamparker9765 pretty much all the videos showcasing hits aren't any different so I don't see the point in your comment. And yes most hits result in a suspension.. whoop de do .. its still a part of the game (even though it's becoming less prevalent as the years go on)

[@StevenBoyle-fg4nc]

There’s the video about the first American to make the afl, a player named Mason Cox. The video is called Don’t Believe in Never’

[@coneeyescorner4298]

Definitely look into history of the sport or even club histories. Its really interesting stuff! Keep up the good work brother 🤙

[@Rassskle]

The AFL International World Cup was held every 3 years from 2002 to 2017. The 2020 championship was cancelled due to covid. All countries are allowed to compete except Australia......it is considered that any Australian team would be unfair to a fair competition. In 2017 the USA was allowed to field 4 teams , a mens and a womens team from the 2 major USA competitions. The USA is too big in area to support a national amateur competition.....the travel costs would be huge. lol A normal day of local footy starts about 8 am with a junior game ( under 14's or 15's ). Then a colts game starts about 10am ( under 17's or 19's or even under 21's ). Then a 2nds / reserves game at midday ( a club needs at least 50 adult players to field 2 teams....the 2's supply extra players to replace the injured players from the senior team. The colts fill vacancies in the 2's and the juniors fill in the gaps in the colts ) Imagine paying the travel costs for an amateur team travelling all over the USA every second week....at least 50 players plus officials , coaches, trainors, runners and medical staff. lol

[@marklane58]

The AFL site has highlights of each game of the season. I'd recommend picking a team then watching them. You're already in the Collingwood colours so...GO PIES. 2023 was their most entertaining season in the 60 years I've been watching, winning by about a goal so many times.

[@munchmandrifta]

Speccy = Spectacular Mark BTW. It'a abit more niche but if you wanna see one of the greatest forwards who was a Speccy Machine, look up Tony Modra for the Adelaide Crows/Fremantle Dockers, he helped us (Crows) to back to back finals... But sadly missed out due to injury, which was heart breaking, I actually made it tot he first final in 1997.

[@shmick6079]

Yep - Aussie rules was invented to be played on cricket fields during the winter (cricket is older) The MCG = Melbourne Cricket Ground

[@marklane58]

I had a good chuckle over challenging the distance between bounces. That's left to the fans. They challenge half the decisions very loudly. Honestly I don't know how the umpires can keep up.

[@Goatcha_M]

Yes, they do play cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

[@LM-EntertainmentAustralia]

great reaction! :] the AFL ball is slightly narrow on the ends than a rugby ball - which is much thicker through the middle. a rugby ball also has grip on it as catching the ball is the aim of the game and in different weather conditions. an AFL ball has a smooth surface. the 15m bounces are generally roughly estimated by the umpire. in general.. the average sized player would run about 1m per step / stride.. so thats good for an estimate. they also have to interpret whether a kick has gone at least 15m for a "mark" to be awarded.. so umpires with a lot of experience will generally have a decent idea of the distance of 15m.

[@ChristopherJones-qm2nw]

I've often argued that Australian Rules Football (not to be confused with any code of rugby) is more like ice hockey than any other code of football - You can tell because the players have similar body shapes. In both sports, players must have huge aerobic capacity, because play is continuous, but must also be able to take hit and have the strength to battle for the ball or puck. Both great sports. I know plenty of Canadian expats who love our Code of football, and if I ever moved to Canada, I know I'd be joining an Ice Hockey club 😀

[@pruebowtell3631]

A good one for new reactors is Big hits and best bits, it shows some hits, marks and goals, I hope you enjoy our game.

[@jemxs]

You're going to love this game! Go Magpies!!

[@danielclarke3097]

Carn da Blue Baggarssss

[@gamortie]

6:10 the player who tackled, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, was a renowned rundown scragger, who created many opportunities from his fierce tackles.

[@user-bf8ud9vt5b]

I would still suggest watching some of the shorter highlights vids made by the AFL of individual games, particularly the grand finals. (I suggested under your last vid the 2017 and 2018 for the big crowd energy, with lots of action. The first game was a bit of a blow out, eventuality, the second a close game.) Others might suggest some other close, exciting games. It's a great way to see some extended game play missing from the out of context compilation vids without having to watch a whole game. The AFL also ocasionally puts out vids of the last two frenetic minutes of exciting close games, which might be worth a watch. Vice also put out a vid of the rivalry between Carlton v Collingwood. It's a great vid (and a bit longer), and also explains the game from a North American perspective. Cheers! 👍

[@andrewnieves3417]

Reacting to the "Miracle on Grass" Brisbane game would be a good one. And any of the final 2 Minutes videos by the AFL would be cool too

[@HelenLeach-q9v]

April 25, 2024. Anzac Day. Collingwood v Essendon. 96,000 people watched the game. And it ended in a draw. Watch the whole game. (Anzac = Australia New Zealand Army Corps - It is our national day to remember the troops that dies in wars and for veterans still serving).

[@n_mckean]

Hopefully that makes it clearer as to why there are so many Australian punters in the NFL :)

[@ianscott424]

Go with biggest hits, best marks, best goals or even start looking in to some player highlights. In terms of the ball, it's smaller than a rugby ball and the points are rounder as it's designed to be kicked.

[@timrozitis961]

There sort of is international - different in very country. Us used to have quite healthy local competitions. There is an AFL Canada too, but don't know much about it, but there is also a video on YT (can't find it now) that follows a Canadian side playing in the "AFL World Cup" (it's only happened a few times, possibly most recently 20 years ago).

[@mikethomas4842]

20 minute quarters plus extra time. 15 mins was for the womens game. Run and bounce is roughly 15 metres . If a player goes over the ref will pull them up for infringement. Its 24 home and away games. Not 22 as highlighted in the video youre watching. The ball is a similar size to an NFL ball. More elongated. Rugby balls are larger. Womens league has been running for a few years. Not a huge following yet. International is played as a hybrid between Gaelic and AFL. The odd tournament is played between Ireland and Australia. As far as AFL being played in other countries. Its played in the US , Canada and UK.

[@Hp_Dance]

you should watch the 2023 Grand Final, it is the Pies vs the Lions or the mark of the season or the goal of the season because they are all great ways to watch afl

[@johnneeder9634]

2018 Grand Final. Best GF in a long time. West Coast Eagles is my team.

[@geofftottenperthcoys9944]

With the women's league, put it this way, it does better than the WNBL!

[@banta-pd8zj]

It attracts crowds in the low 10's of thousands which is pretty good. My understanding is that it's respected given how young the women's competition is.

[@Ninja-Dev]

@Eamonn Reacts Footy's my sport, but a Canadian mate got me into Ice Hockey, and it's also a fantastic sport. Though I'm an Oilers fan sorry, not Leafs ;)

[@Gamer09380]

There is a Canadian afl player called Andrew McGrath

[@michaelfink64]

I'd say the ball is slightly smaller and pointier than a rugby ball and larger and rounder than an American football. Bouncing the ball - no, there are no team challenges for this or any other decision. It is usually pretty obvious to the umpire and the crowd if the player has run too far, which is fairly uncommon. Correct, as the name suggests, cricket is also played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and most of the other AFL venues. Aussie rules is played as minor, amateur sport in several countries, including USA (USAFL). I'm not sure there is a competition in Canada, but there is a player, Mike Pike, who was a premiership winning AFL player.

[@Goatcha_M]

IMO the older video is far better, although it does always confuse foreigners with the scoring and that you don't have to bounce the ball at exactly 15m, just within 15m.

[@Michael-te6ly]

I think there's probably more AFL in the US than New Zealand. It's all rugby (and cricket) there. They also have a team in the soccer A League competing against teams from mainland Australia. I think an AFL ball is bigger than an NFL ball but smaller than a rugby ball ..... but I',m not 100% on that.

[@Sarcastic_Cow]

The AFLW started with woman from club teams and other sports, so the skill and fitness as a whole was low. They were part time and not able to earn a living from football so would train and play around their usual jobs. They are just coming into a period now where the new draftees have had the opportunity to play footy all their lives, from Auskick from the age of 5 and continue through their teens until nominating for the draft. In the past girls who wanted to play juniors played with boys up until the age of I think 14 where it was deemed unsafe for them to continue. They have grown up with a clear path to play football as a career and this season is the first that they can live just off a club salary. Over time this will improve the overall fitness and skill level as they have more time to focus on footy as their job. Next step would be to increase the season length so all teams at least play each other once.

[@EamonnReacts]

Good stuff. Yeah it takes time to really grow a sport, especially on the womens side. The longer a career is an option the more the sport will develop.

[@lucasyarran4197]

Have a look at Sydney Swans vs West coast Eagles rivalry 2005-2006

[@kieranjoel5251]

Hey mate, love your reaction to our great game of Aussie Rules Football! As stated in the video you just watched, AFL is the most attended game in the world on average per capita (population). Please check out any of the following videos and I promise you’ll be hooked to the sport of AFL. Why AFL is the best sport in the world A Beginners Guide to Australian Football The 100 BEST goals of 2023 Best of the decade 2010-2019: Best goals Best of the decade 2010-2019: Best marks AFL grand final 2023 highlights Top moments in AFL this decade 2010-2019 Best of the decade 2010-2019: Brutal bumps and tackles AFL Biggest bumps and hits ever Eddie Betts - the Pied Piper The best goals of Eddie betts’ remarkable career Kysaiah Pickett is a human highlight reel Get Excited: Izak Rankine’s best highlights Chad wingard Port Adelaide career highlights Cyril Rioli’s Career highlights Lance Franklin best 23 goals Jeremy howe best marks afl 2011-2019 Gary Ablett's 29 best ever moments, milestones and performances | 2020 | AFL AFL grand final 2018 highlights

[@mattimlach]

If you want to follow a team that’ll give me you the same level of disappointment and frustration as the Leafs Stkilda might be for you

[@chriskelly9476]

An umpires will only penalize a player if its obvious he's run too far. If a player bounces within 10 running strides he should be within 15 metres. As for the women's competition, it hasn't been around long enough to have produced any extraordinary talent. There have been a few players worth watching but not many - Emma Kearney (who also played professional cricket), Daisy Pearce (who is now a coach) and Erin Phillips (who also played in the WNBA and whose father was a decorated footballer) are a few notable names. Phillips was probably the best in my opinion especially considering she was already in her 30s when the women's league started. Most footballers are thinking of retirement at that age.

[@Roddrummer]

Both rugby codes are more violent, but as far as ALL-ROUND athleticism is concerned, Australian Football leaves them both in the shade. It's just an all-round more spectacular, more panoramic viewing experience. That's why it draws so many people. Watch: the 'top 50 marks of all time', the 'top 50 goals of all time', and highlights of the 2018 Grand Final.

[@WaDarkPhoenix]

Don't bother trying to pick a team yet. All that will happen is you will get pressured by the vocal fans of bigger clubs into choosing their team, or picking one of the current well performing ones.

[@debkendall]

You should try an see the games tomorrow - ANZAC day 25/4/24- Essendon vs Collingwood or GWS Giants vs Brisbane

[@Catovertheditch]

Should check out the history of afl 1897-2019 gives you an idea of how the league works and it’s history

[@Sisterfifi]

Have a look at last years grand final look at a full game, and that one was a pearler.

[@Spankedchicken]

As an Aussie, Go Leafs Go

[@Hudpower]

the "7 foot" guy is actually 7 feet tall, and the only american to play more than 1 game.

[@DisFan1996]

Seagulls fighting over hot chips is the best way to describe AFL

[@user-mg1p]

And Rugby league is best described mobile wrestling!

[@DisFan1996]

@@user-mg1p go away Victard

[@DisFan1996]

@@user-mg1p Victard

[@michaelfink64]

No, rugby rules in NZ.

[@mcsq5899]

Watch AFL top 50 marks. You'll enjoy it.

[@clairash2004]

I think the video you did was fine.

[@buff_stuff]

The older AFL explained is better. This version is sanitised, family friendly and promotes the women's league

[@adamparker9765]

It still explains the scoring better though . For a 5 minute video it isn't bad . I personally think the best one is the one narrated by the Englishman . His goes for longer and talks about things in more detail though he tries to relate it to soccer which is fair enough for a pommy .

[@1legend517]

It definitely goes into more detail. I saw it as more expanded on than the other video.

[@Aka_daka]

AFLW lacks depth of talent, imo they expanded the competition too quickley to all 18 teams. pretty much the AFL men's game funds it & some games are even free to attend shows that although it is growing it's very slowly. I feel hype died after the first few seasons.

[@RetroBorg]

This is a three minute video with some highlights of AFL, marks, goals, hits, fights. Why AFL Is the Best Sport in the World kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn6mZ4ycarhona8si=6esCvhqRynW-KSD3

[@Shnordy]

Welcome to the greatest sport of them all mate. Watch a game and I defy you not to be hooked.

[@EamonnReacts]

Definitely be checking out a game in the near future. I'll be doing a livestream of it as well so hopefully some of you tune in once I set a date. Hoping to make it a weekly thing like I've done with my NRL stuff.

[@murraywilson4819]

AFL is soooooo messy. Painful watch on tv. Good live product tho

[@joandsarah77]

I wouldn't watch the woman's langue, and I'm a woman. If they want to play footy more power to them, but I'm not interested.

[@B-tr9kz]

I find the NRLW way more enjoyable personally.

[@peterflynn2111]

AFLW averages around 4 to 5000 attendance

[@zekejones2249]

Across the entire league per round you mean?

[@peterflynn2111]

@@zekejones2249 per match

[@rudolphvanrooyen2655]

I call it Ozzie Soccer

[@garnfkurslf]

The women's league is unwatchable, they can't kick it as far so the there is a congestion of players in a small area around the ball the entire game. They also expanded the league too quickly given the limited talent pool. Even games in prime time with no other sports to compete with get no viewers

[@geofftottenperthcoys9944]

Rubbish on some accounts, VERY low scores yeah, but they do get average views, better than the WNBA get!

[@petersanders2815]

The top teams playing each other are very watchable. And they get decent crowds to those games. Some of the finals have been sell outs. But yes they expanded too quickly and the bottom teams aren’t great to watch. Should have made it 12 teams max.

[@B-tr9kz]

Fun fact, the NRLW got twice as many viewers over the season as the AFLW despite having half as many games. The NRLW did it right.

[@jaklintrajkovski8873]

The women’s league has only been around since 2017. They are great to watch and growing incredibly fast.

[@user-mg1p]

The men are like technicians with Australian rules football highly skilled! It's easier for the women to play soccer pretty well as a spectacle! The woman in union or league are mostly huge Pacific islanders that look like bloke's.. but the game is played well! Australian rules is to Multi skilled. So the women's AFL is mostly a rolling maul! 💃👯😷

[@arconeagain]

Na, the last one you reacted to was better and much more informative. This one is commercialised crap with annoying voice overs. Like, do we really need to see graphics of the guy's legs to demonstrate running? Lame as F. I don't know, dead head consumerists, they can't get enough of their junk, just saying. The best part of this was Dusty kicking that incredible goal for his fourth in a winning Grand Final to consolidate the Norm Smith medal.

[@zekejones2249]

How is the womens league going? Its an awful product, and its dying, but being propped up by the mens comp. Sound familiar?

[@Leebo13]

It sort of sounds like somebody who likes to crap on relatively new things only to be proven quite wrong in the long run.

[@zekejones2249]

@@Leebo13 How long has the WNBA been going? Still waiting for that to finally "pop"?

[@inthetrenchwithbix1]

anyone mention the meat pies, beers and footy record? And scarves? all necessities on game day ;)

[@richardmiller3839]

Our great game became a professional game in 1897.

[@ThemMightyPies]

2:14 nah women’s football is shite.