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 .

Three AFL coaches have been sacked in the last month , and there are only three rounds of games , to play in the AFL, 2011 footy season .

swans

Blues

Friday night footy at the MCG saw the Hawks hold off a fast finishing Blues side .It was a low scoring , fiercely contested tussle between two top four teams .This weekend sees the Saints , Bombers , Bulldogs , Lions , Freo and Crows travel interstate whilst the Magpies , Gold Coast , Power , Eagles , Swans and Kangaroos host visitors at home . Geelong score a rest and in a battle of co-tenants at the MCG , Melbourne play Richmond on Sunday afternoon at the MCG .

Much jostling for the top eight spots , particularly 5th , 6th , 7th, and 8th spots , will play out over the weekend . Off field media posturing is also occurring ,whilst sledging is rife , between opposition club coaches and players . Conjecture as to who will coach which team , and who will play off in the finals is also receiving much media attention .Faithful fans will get to matches , expecting great entertainment  , wearing their teams , footy jumpers , jerseys , guernseys.

Its 3 to go and counting .

wce

Two closely contested games were played out on Easter Saturday . In a thrilling finish the Gold Coast Suns defeated Port Power in Adelaide . The Gold Coast Captain , Gary Ablett , played a pivotal part in their win and has perhaps , now , silenced criticism , for staying in Melbourne for 2 extra days after their last defeat.

Carlton were successful against Adelaide , snatching victory by one goal . The beleaguered coach of the Crows , Neil Craig , will be under increasing scrutiny , as his team has had a poor start to the Season .
The eveness of the teams in the competition are reflected in the close results of all matches played so far .
The Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon , and the following days Geelong Vs Hawthorn match , promise much for eager footy fans .

Lions were beaten on Thursday

" Respect " , (wikipedi encyclopedia) , is a positive feeling of esteem for a person ." Change " , (wikipedi encyclopedia) is the process of becoming different.

VFL and Women

Neither respect nor change has been evident , at  the AFL , recently.

Inappropriate dealings with women , by AFL players ,  club  staff , and managers , have been exposed .

Is the AFL to continue to pay lip service to their much publicised , but seemingly not applied , " Respect and Responsibility program " ?

Less than 10,000 spectators watched the St Kilda Vs Geelong , NAB Cup Game at the weekend . A poor crowd , considering the success of both teams in recent years . Families and women appear to be  staying away from Games . Will this fall in attendance ,  make the AFL change , to respect women ?

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 ?

A crowd of almost 82,000 , went to the MCG last Saturday afternoon , to watch , the Collingwood versus St Kilda Game .

It was a massive crowd,  for a typical , home and away clash of the Season. Fans love Saturday Afternoon Footy. They go in their football jumpers, jerseys, guernseys , to enjoy the Game.

The AFL , could schedule more Games, for a Saturday afternoon in Melbourne ,at either of the stadiums .

Collingwood Magpies , who have the most financial members in the AFL ,possibly comprised up to 50,000 fans.

The rest , whether Saints fans,  or just lovers of AFL football, voted with their feet . Hopefully the AFL , will take notice .

Interstate Games are hard for fans to get to !

Julia Gillard ,the PM , is a keen Western Bulldogs supporter .

She has called a federal election , for Saturday the 21 st August .

The home and away matches, of the AFL Season, end on 28 August .

AFL Finals Football follows .

Is it just coincidence , or did Gillard not want the election to clash with the Finals ?

Fans will be at all games in their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys to support their teams throughout their finals campaigns.

Will the Crows make the FInals?

AFL Football Teams , are assessing their chances of playing in the Finals at the end of the season.

There are four clear certainties on top of the AFL premiership ladder, who are assured of a place in the Finals .

Of the other 12 teams, there are some who have no chance of playing, due to poor form during the year . Some teams , who still have a chance to play, will wage a desperate battle to win all games, to ensure they get a place .

Fans , ever hopeful that their team will make it through to the finals ,are out to support them by attending Games in their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys.

Can Melbourne make it to the Finals?

Most AFL football players,  enjoy a harmonious relationship,with the media.

Games are reported on , players injuries detailed, and the highs , and lows of a players career , all make good copy .

The supporters insatiable appetite, for all things related to their sport, is quenched on a daily basis, by these media reports.

Continual scrutiny , and reporting by the media, helps fuel interest , and provide accurate information .

Its hard to know when this coverage crosses the line , and becomes invasive for players and their families.

Fans , love to hear about their team, and it's players. Dredging up past misdemeanours , and constantly giving it media coverage, may be detrimental to them , and place the game in a poor light.

Supporters love the game ,their club ,and its players .They will go to watch in their football jumpers, jerseys, guernseys ,when they can . Many enjoy the live televising and replay of afl clashes.

Other issues will be dealt with fairly by the appropriate authorities.

Fans just want to have fun .

St Kilda Player under media scrutiny

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