The annual Legends Game , was played last Tuesday night at Etihad Stadium . The Big V , who were gamely captained by ' Kouta ' , retired Carlton superstar , and shambolically coached by Sam Newman , ex - Geelong Ruckman , snatched victory from the jaws of defeat .

The Vics train on this

25,000 fans , were treated to a night of on and off field entertainment , when the greats pulled on the boots , and thundered onto Etihad Stadium.

Rocca, kicked the Sherrin out of the Ground , Martyn's defence was watertight, and Straunchie scrounged the packs .The AllStars , who are the show pony's of the competition , razzled , dazzled , and tried to steal the game with goal sneak Fitzy's , kick after the siren .

The mighty Vics remained staunch , and proved again , when push comes to shove they've still got what it takes . Sure , bigger size footy jumpers were worn,  and the footy shorts waistbands have expanded , plus there is an explosion of bald heads on the ground , but Victoria proved why it's still the birthplace , and spiritual home of AFL Footy.

It was a win all round , as fans wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , enjoyed the spectacle , and gave funds to the EJ Whitten Foundation, who support people with cancer. Ted, wouldv'e been thrilled as the Vics , managed to "Stick it up 'em".

Vics have still got it

Melbourne , the home of AFL football, is experiencing it's coldest winter for many years . A recent June day, was the coldest for two years , with temperatures only reaching 7 degrees Celsius, at midday.

Devoted fans, wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys, will still come out to watch their teams play, despite the extreme weather conditions .

The AFL, scheduled three of the last round of matches , to be played at Etihad Stadium . Its got a closable roof , bright lights , comfortable seats , and ensures fans are warm , dry , can see and are comfy on these cold ,wet , winter nights .

The MCG , despite having a much larger crowd capacity , and having recently undergone a costly renovation, is less comfortable .

Fans , and teams of the modern AFL game , require a certain standard of comfort .

Interestingly, the  Brisbane Lions lost,  to the  Carlton Blues , at Etihad Stadium, in Thursday night's Clash .

Can the Lions , hailing form sunny temperate Brisbane , blame their loss on the weather ?

Too cold for Lions ?

Shaun Higgins , a rising Bulldog star , rolled his ankle on Etihad stadium's surface on Sunday afternoon .

AFL team the Western Bulldogs , one of five tenants of the ground will lodge their third complaint with the Stadium management. They believe Higgins was injured  because of the soft surface of the Ground .
The AFL Players' Association is investigating the circumstances of Higgins' injury.

A Collingwood player from Sunday,s Game , Dale Thomas ,described the surface as tacky and shifting in spots.
The Bulldogs will send an official written complaint for the AFL.

Ultimately, the Dogs are seeking action as well as an explanation.

Nick Riewoldt , Saints skipper , hurt himself earlier in the year amid claims of an unstable surface at Etihad Stadium

Fans want to wear their jumper , jersey , guernsey to the Game and see their team and its stars play well.

What action will be taken ?

Will Lions fall at Etihad ?

Collingwood Magpies play St Kilda Saints on Friday night at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

It should be a very good game that promises a close result given the form of both teams in recent matches.

Collingwood always wear the black and white colours in their jumper, jersey , guernsey. They don't have a clash or away strip that is largely white unlike many other afl clubs .

St Kilda who wear red black and white do play in a white clash strip of their jumper , jersey , guernsey.Will they unveil a new one for season 2010?

Do the Saints play in their traditional Home Strip as it is their Home Game ?
If they do will it cause confusion
for players, fans and commentators between the red , black and white and the black and white .

It poses the question will the Saints lower their colours to the Magpies ?

Wait to see at tomorrow night's clash.

Footy on Friday in Melbourne with the NAB Cup Final at Etihad Stadium between the Dogs and Power . It promises to be a thriller . Power have unveiled a new strip for their guernsey , jersey , jumper of season 2010 . Its distinctive colours shouldn't clash with the traditional Doggies tri colours of red blue and white.
The other finals clash between the Saints and Dockers will see the Saints wearing their NAB cup night colours as worn previously.Will the Dockers play in the white style guernsey jumper jersey often worn by them for the away night games? Those under 18 get in free as part of the AFL's push to attract young fans. Many young fans will attend in their team colours jumper , jersey , guernsey .
A change of venue has occurred for the scheduled Lions / Cats match. Its been moved to Visy Park in Melbourne after torrential rain and ongoing bad weather has rendered the original venue on the Gold Coast unusable . Queensland , rain one day even more rain the next. Victoria's new slogan , sunny one day even sunnier the next .
Ironic that at a time when the AFL is promoting respectful relationships Fevola is again in the headlines for appearing to disrespect women. Will he be stripped of his Lions jumper , jersey , guernsey? That other wayward son Barry Hall has fitted well into his Doggies jumper , jersey , guernsey and is playing good footy .

barry's old jumper

Saints white or not

The NAB Cup continues with successful teams playing off.
Saturday sees Melbourne based team , the much loved but spectacularly unsuccessful St Kilda Saints play the Sydney based, exciting Sydney Swans.Both teams have red and white in their team colours . The Saints have black too but it still raises the question will one team play in the white strip favoured of previous years when a clash in clubs colours is evident ?

hawks white one

If they do it will avoid confusion between players , fans and TV viewers alike . This white jumper , jersey , guernsey is destined to become a highly collectable item . Those from previous years clashes are widely sought by all  .

Is a new white strip to be worn ? Fans will just have to wait and see.

A balmy Melbourne night saw 2009 premiership runners up the Saints play the Collingwood Magpies at Etihad Stadium. Footy starved fans out of hibernation following the long summer break were treated to a great display between the two traditional rivals.

Magpies well fancied

The Saints  resplendent in a new team strip , a guernsey with wide horizontal red , black and white stripes reminiscent of the Western Bulldogs strip were able to hold off a fast finishing Collingwood side .They were  wearing their distinctive black and white strip. Purists argue that the pre season competition is not the " real footy ".

traditional strip

Cheering fans in their thousands would disagree with this sentiment last night as they watched the Mighty Saints hold off the fast finishing Magpies by one point .Fans booing Collingwoods newest recruit Luke Ball , an ex Sainter would be happy with this result . Nothing is sweeter than to beat Collingwood in Melbourne at Friday night footy before a fiercely loyal home town crowd.
The sydney competition is already having an impact on the national Game with the historic first match at western Sydney's Blacktown Olympic Park being a sell out . If the competing teams can provide a spectacle to compare with lasts nights game at Etihad the future of the Game looks secure in Sydneys west. Sydney Swans play Carlton in a game between two rising teams who hope to cement a place in the history books by playing in this  great contest.Fans , administrators, footy teams  and the AFL are all hoping to be treated to a great nights entertainment. The future of Australias's own iconic code of football in the Harbour City looks bright .

Swannies 05