Just spent some time in Tasmania, where the hot news item was whether Hobart , could attract the North Melbourne FC, to play two AFL Games at Bellerive Oval .

NMFC to Play AFL Footy in Hobart

"North versus South" screamed the Mercury newspaper Headline,  in downtown Hobart . A local was heard to remark " I can't believe those people in the North .They are so parochial not wanting Hobart to have footy . '

Such is the passion that AFL Footy ignites , its not even interstate rivalry but intercity rivalry , causing squabbling between the two as to who plays where and when .

NMFC, are to play in Hobart , Hawthorn , are to continue to play in Launceston . Will the locals see a team of 22 professional Footballers , pull on the new Tasmanian Football Team Jumpers, to take their place in the expanded national AFL Competition ?

Tasmania's own colours Football Jumper

AFL team Sydney Swans , home to Carlton at the SCG , took to the ground in red and white hooped jumpers , with 150 emblazoned on them . Is this an historic strip ? or was it an attempt to commemorate an occasion . ?It was a red and white jumper , jersey , guernsey , but bore little resemblance to either their home or clash strip . This hoop style of stripes has long been the traditional style jersey of the Geelong Football Club .

Traditional Carlton Jumper

Despite this repackaging of the Swans , humble footy jumper , Carlton were the winners on the night . The Blues , buried an atrocious record of success , at the SCG , when they seized victory in the wet and muddy conditions .  Carlton played in their traditional, age old design , navy blue and white , jumper jersey , guernsey . Could it be e a case of stick with what works !

Swans SCG Jumper

Footy kicks off tonight , in Brisbane , with a Game between the winless Saints ,  and Lions . Three teams are resting , with the rest of the fixture promising a blockbuster round of entertainment for fans , culminating in Anzac Day's battle , Bombers Vs Magpies. A 2008 Grand Final replay , between the Hawks and Cats , is set for the final match of the round .

Baby , its warm inside

An AFL football jumper , jersey , guernsey , wrapped around an Easter  Egg , is a novel gift idea for the  holidays. Too much of a good thing , aka known as chocolate , can only fast track you to the dentist . A jumper is practical , stylish , will become much loved , and marks the occasion with significance , and fond memory .   Do something different this Easter and buy a football jumper !

I glanced at the AGE Newspaper this morning , and read the headline " Nixon Flies In " . My first thought was , do they mean Richard Nixon ,  impeached , US President , or Christine Nixon , former Victorian Police Commisioner ? No , in football crazed Melbourne it referred to Ricky Nixon , AFL football player manager .

An appearance on commercial TV , by the person at the centre of the saga ,  concerning afl football players and managers behaviour , has kept a non newsworthy story alive .

Many supporters , women , men , young people and families are bored with it

Can we just get back to playing , and reporting on playing,  AFL Football?

Play footy ?

Footy' s Back

The NAB Cup kicks off its 2011 season, in Adelaide , on Friday February 11 .

Its a new format , with three teams playing three games , on the one night .

More Games will be played, around the country , over the remainder of the weekend , and the following weekend .

Finals footy ,will be played amongst the successful teams , with the ultimate victor taking out , the coveted,  NAB Cup .

2 for the price of 1 in tiger cubs

Tickets are reasonably priced .Those fans who are under 18 years of age , who register their details online , are given free entry .

Proceeds are going towards helping community football clubs, affected by the floods.

Dust off your  football jumper , jersey , guernsey,  and wear it to the Game , or buy a new one .

Tickets , for the NAB Cup ,  are on sale from the 31st January 2011.

Carlton Blues

Its finally here .

AFL Finals Football . Ardent fans are going to the Football Finals ,this weekend, wearing their teams football jumpers, jerseys, guernseys .

Those Football Clubs in the Finals ,their Players ,staff , and officials adopt a very business like approach in willing their team over the line to receive the highest accolade , a premiership.

Its the culmination, of a years hard mental grind, and physical work .

Which team, can hold their nerve , and overcome all opposition to win ?

Only time will tell.

Fans , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys ,will be out to watch,  and cheer, hoping it is their team who wins.

AFL teams , not playing in the Finals , will just have to content themselves with the frock fest , of the Brownlow medal count !

Its Mad Monday .

No mad Monday for Collingwood

Traditionally , the day when all AFL Football Teams, who haven't made the Finals , celebrate the end of the Season.

Around the country , AFL football players , in all leagues , will relax, and enjoy the temporary break , from training and playing .

Spotted in Port Melbourne, a group of Irish travellers , young men with beards, in dresses . When one attempted to hop , uninvited , on the back of a scooter , he was asked who he played for ? The rapid response was,  Celtic ! Truly, adding an international flavour , to Melbourne's ,Mad Monday.

Amateur teams celebrate

Beat the Friday the 13th blues, by attending tonight's  blockbuster at the MCG ,between Essendon and Collingwood.

Traditional rivals , Esssendon is playing with nothing to lose , as it takes a tilt at the finals ,whilst Collingwood are in top spot , and look strong contenders ,to take out the 2010 premiership flag.

Four Saturday Games , two in Melbourne , at the MCG and Etihad Stadium ,and two interstate , one in WA , and one in SA ensure a wide coverage for fans .

The round concludes with three Sunday games , one at each of the Melbourne venues , and one in Brisbane .

All games of the 20 th round of matches , will provide fans attending or watching in their football jumpers ,jerseys, guernseys , with a feast of entertainment .

will Collingwood win ?

There is a lot of AFL,  supporter gear ,  available .

Fans can wear, not only, jumpers, jerseys, guernseys, but also tops , caps , scarfs and beanies.

These are made in team colours , and display sport logos, mascots , and sponsors.

AFL Fans purchase, and wear them.

Football jumpers, jerseys and guernseys , are incredibly popular supporter gear, that fans wear , to AFL Games.

Will this other supporter gear , ever replace the football jumper , jersey , guernsey , in popularity for match day attire ?

Football Jumpers Fly

Melbourne Football Club ,(aka , the Demons ), are the oldest football club, playing in the current AFL competition .

Established in 1859 , they celebrated their 150 year anniversary, last year in 2009.

In 1859 ,two months after Melbourne , the Geelong Football Club, joined the competition .

Called the Victorian Football League, or VFL, it was based in Victoria .

Carlton joined the League in 1864 , North Melbourne in 1869 and Essendon , St Kilda and Hawthorn all joined in 1873.

Carlton Blues Original Vintage Jumper ?

These clubs have been kicking the Sherrin for a long time.

All, have pursued the ultimate trophy , of a Premiership ,with varying degrees of success.

All , have a proud history , of playing AFL football.

Fans , love their club , their support is tribal ,and will come to watch them play , win , lose , or draw.

Perhaps the only difference between the 1800's crowds, and today's, apart from numbers , is that modern fans, wear their  football jumpers, jerseys ,guernseys to the Game.

Melbourne Demons Jumper Celebrating 150 years anniversary