The AFL International Rules Series , Australia Vs Ireland , is to be played in Australia over the next two weeks .

young leader of Dees

The Aussies playing host to the Irish , have compiled an AFL team of a variety of players . It includes two indigenous players , eg: Jake King , a rising star,  Callan Ward new to GWS, a young leader , Brad Green , Melbourne Demons Captain , and old campaigner , Stephen Milne .

There has been much debate as to the merits of this series . What remains irrefutable is , the Irish love it , players feel honoured to represent Australia , and fans enjoy the spectacle .

Indigenous Tiger

Many will be at the Game on Friday night  , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys cheering either  the Aussies , or the Irish to victory . Can the Aussies win , or will it be the luck of the Irish ?

The 2011 Rugby World Cup Final , will be played  between New Zealand and France , on Sunday 23 rd October at 7.00pm , in NZ .

sherrin jumper

The Australian Team , the Wallabies , were soundly defeated by N Z team , the All Blacks in their semi final match .The Aussies played their last game of the Cup , to beat Wales , in the Third Place Play-Off.

NZ is a country where they love the sport of rugby union . The devotion of their fans to their national team , the All Blacks , makes the average AFL fan look half-hearted .

In the Grand Final , New Zealand takes on old foe , France . Having just returned from  France , I witnessed first hand how patriotically they supported their national team , whilst watching the 'Ugby World Cup.

Saints in 2012

Being an Aussie , and AFL zealot , I will support the Kiwis , in their quest for the greatest prize of their competition . Sports Fans everywhere , will be watching , wearing their codes jumpers , jerseys , guernseys . Many , will be hoping the All Blacks are victorious , a feat , which appears, to be less elusive , than the St Kilda Saints winning an AFL Premiership.

Wallabies win 3rd place

New AFL Football Team , Greater Western Sydney , join the national competition in 2012. A new Games Fixture has been set for season 2012 . The Grand Final , has returned to its traditional time  , of the last Saturday in September . This will be 29 th September , in 2012 .

Many will be pleased by this . The Victorian and Melbourne Racing Clubs , amateur AFL Football Leagues , MCG management , and Cricket Fans .

Loyal AFL Football Fans , who have adjusted their calendars to accommodate the October GF, will celebrate the return of the Grand Final to its traditional time slot by  wearing  their vintage football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys to the Game .

1980's vintage collingwood footy jumper

Its almost summer . The " Grannie " is over , and fans are either jubiliant or disappointed , by their AFL Team' s , 2011 , Seasons performance .

demons improved

carlton got close

The AFL trade period is on, new coaches have been appointed , and assistant coaches are being re - shuffled . The Rugby World Cup Finals continue in New Zealand , and the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival , has commenced. Cricket is on the not too distant horizon , as are the various  Yacht Races.

It begs the question , does the football jumper , jersey , guernsey , go on summer holidays ? For most fans the answer is no . It will be given an airing at other sporting fixtures , and is a popular piece of favourite apparel, seen gracing beaches , bbqs and other social functions during the " off season ".

baby lions jumper for summer

Saints have new Coach

A slightly bedraggled looking, Collingwood Magpies , footy jumper , was even spotted at yesterdays Caulfield Cup . Has it been doing the rounds since 1st October ? or was it pinched from the St Vinnies donation bag , outside the Malthouse Mansion ?

Its finally arrived , the much anticipated AFL Grand Final , will be played today at the MCG , in front of a voracious crowd , between the Geelong Cats and Collingwood Magpies .

do geelong have the right stuff ?

The Magpies , last years premiers have been unbeatable all season , and will be desperate to win back to back premierships .

collingwood 16 ?

collingwood 2010 cap

The Cats , the athletically strong , disciplined contender , will be wanting to take the Cup home to Geelong .

Who will be the victor ? The pundits , experts and footy fans all have their own opinions .

A gladiator like struggle is expected at the G as these two heavyweights do battle . The eyes and ears of the nation will be tuned to the footy . Dust off your football jumper , jersey , guernsey , slip it on and enjoy the spectacle that is AFL Grand Final Footy . It doesn't get any better than this .

No Saints this year

Parts of Melbourne's  CBD will be closed for todays AFL Finals Parade . A cavalcade of Geelong and Collingwood players , will travel down city streets , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .The predicted cold , showery weather , will prevent some fans from attending the parade , and stop the players from walking the meet and greet .

Tigers for 2012 Parade ?

Further cold weather is forecast for Saturdays Grand Final with low temperatures ,  rain and hail expected . Those Fans , lucky enough to get seats , albeit out in the open at the MCG , will need to wear waterproof football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .
Can Collingwood go back to back ? Or will the Cats take the Cup home to Geelong ?

Collingwood , riding a wave of popularity , can now add a Brownlow Medal  to their teams accomplishments this Season .

cfc caps

CFC premiers cap

Dane Swan , tattooed Collingwood midfielder , surprised most by winning the Brownlow Medal for AFL Season 2011.
A restrained Swan lamented he would prefer to win a Premiership medal, whilst modest Mick Malthouse claimed he had a talk to Swan several years ago , helping him to get his AFL Career  back on track .

The players were scrubbed , suited and booted , whilst the WAGS displayed the correct amount of cleavage , cling , bling and platinum .

winners cap

The final training session awaits , as does the Grand Final Parade . Collingwood , bolstered by Swans win , may start favourite for the Grand Final Match on Saturday but Geelong are a worthy opponent .Fans will be watching , cheering and wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys.

cfc caps

The Brownlow medal is up for grabs tonight .

Can Goodes make it no 3 for Swans ?

Mars on White Blues Jumper

Questions are

Can Juddy or Goodes make it number 3 ?

carlton on a winner

Judd's Carlton Jumper

Which WAG will wear the most revealing / and or tasteless dress ?

Has Bec ( aka Mrs Judd) lost her baby bump yet ?

Whose turn is it to get the most drunk , a la Brendan Fevola .

Can Andrew Demetriou , AFL CEO , make an even more boring speech than last year ?

Oscar Judd's baby blue jumper ?

carlton get brownlow ?

What disgrace / scandal will occur on the night ?

All will be revealed  . Stay tuned for an excruciating night of entertainment , as the AFL warms up for its long , last week of September celebrations , culminating with the GF on Saturday  .

Royal Melbourne Show ? What Show  ? There's only one show when the AFL are in town . Excited fans ,  wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , are watching , waiting , and revelling in the entertainment .

West Coast were soundly defeated by Geelong , at the MCG , in Saturday afternoons Preliminary Final . The meteoric climb from 2010 bottom of the AFL ladder , to fourth spot at the end of the 2011 season , seemed to take its toll on the tired Eagles .

geelong

wce eagles

That , and two trips interstate , plus two bruising finals matches , saw them unable to beat the  Cats . There were flashes of brilliance from the Eagles , with Natinui working the clearances doggedly, and Waters standing up well in defence , but the Cats overran the Eagles and posted a good victory .

swans

Blues

The Cats are into the AFL Grand Final against last years Premiers , the Magpies . Fans wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , were treated to two vastly different Preliminary Finals . Fittingly , the top finishing team is playing the second finishing team on the AFL ladder . Geelong have a history of beating Collingwood in both their matches this year . Both teams are now preparing for Saturday's match . May the best team win !

Tell that to the army of Hawks fans this morning . All , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , spent last night riveted on the edge of their seats , watching the Finals match between the Hawks and Magpies . The Hawks ferocious onslaught , on Collingwood , continued relentlessly all night . They outplayed , out-tackled and out - manoeuvred the Pies , in front off a spellbound audience , of footy fans . It was a magical game that Hawthorn deserved to win . Such is the fickle nature of footy , that a late snap at goal by a reject from another club , Luke Ball , saw the Pies run out victors .

wce eagles new jumper

wce eagles second final

Emotions boiled over . Jeff Kennett didn't get to don the striped jacket , whilst Eddie and his boys jumped for joy . Hawks coach , Clarkson , punched the roof of the coaches box at ground level , whilst Mick , behind glass , squeezed out a reluctant tear . Collingwood, get to play in another Grand Final , whilst Hawthorn can only ponder what could've been .

The Magpies have been exposed ,  and however wins out of today's Preliminary Final , be it the Cats , or Eagles , will be more confident they can topple the Pies machine , and create their own Finals history .