The Draw has been announced for the 2012 Footy Season . GWS joins the competition , making it an 18 team fixture , with more interstate matches , and a bye period of rest breaks , for all teams.

crows

All Clubs are required to travel interstate at least five times . Collingwood , Hawthorn and Geelong , the top three finishers in 2011 have big games scheduled. The  AFL hopes these games can draw large crowds ,  will provide great entertainment , and  help to consolidate these teams ,  and footy's popularity .

Geelong unfurls its premiership flag in round 4 , and the Saints face Freo in their first game since the coach poaching saga  .The Blues play six games on Friday night , and North Melbourne  make the most interstate trips with Games scheduled in Hobart .

north

Queensland Clubs , the Lions and Suns , play the most games in the Saturday afternoon twilight timeslot , and the Cats and Magpies meet twice in GF replays in rounds 8 & 16 .

Big Games will continue with the  Magpies playing the Bombers on Anzac Day, Freo versus Carlton in the annual Len Hall Tribute Match , Demons tackling the Magpies on Queen's Birthday Monday, Essendon and Richmond clashing in the 'Dreamtime at the 'G' match in round eight, and St Kilda hosting Carlton on a Monday night match.

tigers

Interstate teams will continue to play each other in the two 'Derbies' between Fremantle and West Coast, two 'Showdowns' between Adelaide and Port Adelaide, two Brisbane Lions- Gold Coast 'Q-Clashes' and, for the first time, two all-Sydney clashes between the Giants and Swans.

carlton

The 2012 AFL fixture promises much.  Football fans will be along to watch , wearing their   football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .

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 !