The 2012 home and away fixture has been announced , along with the NAB Cup pre - season round of matches .
blues for Christmas ?
Coaches are moving around , or being appointed . St Kilda FC has announced former AFL Coach Dean Laidley , will join new appointee Scott Watters , as an assistant coach .
The second of the International Rules Games will be played on Friday night on the Gold Coast . Confident tourists , the Irish team , will take on the Australian compilation team , in their second game , hoping to continue their winning form .
The NAB Cup commences in February 2012 and continues into March 2012 promising fans much pre-season entertainment . Those fans lucky enough to score a new football jumper , jersey , guernsey for Christmas are delighted .
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.
AFL players , and fans can behave badly . AFL Coaches should not . Sorry , its a little word , say it , and move on Mick .
STKFC
Elsewhere , fans are girding their loins and donning their football jumpers , whilst watching games , and asking the question , will we make it ? Watch the footy over the next few weeks , and enjoy some spectacular action, as teams , desperate for a place in the Finals , play some truly inspirational footy .
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 ?
The humble AFL Football Jumper is no more . Packaged in aerodynamic fabric , now the traditional colours have changed . Carlton, won in the baby blue again last night , and the Tigers replacement of their traditional sash , with a dreamtime painting last weekend , has made the jumpers a highly sought after item .
Blues Clash no more ?
Melbourne Demons , are yet to replicate their hot pink strip , of a few years ago, which they wore as a Breast Cancer fundraiser , but it appears the skys the limit as to who adopts what strip when .
Nicky Winmar's Jumper ?
Collingwood , are sticking doggedly to their black and white though. Ironic really , as Nicky Winnar , great indigenous Sainter , lifted his footy jumper, to show his black skin , in the last game the Magpies played against the Saints , at Victoria Park.
Geelong, managed a two point win over a fast finishing Carlton Blues side , in a fitting tribute to Club Legend , Bob Davis , who passed away , earlier in the week .
Interstate flights , a Hotel Room , and tickets to the AFL Game were purchased , and the football jumper , jersey , guernsey , was lovingly packed for its trip .
With the club song in his heart , and joyful anticipation at the prospect of watching a good nights footy , the journey began .
The adventure began to go pear shaped when upon arrival on SA soil , rain bucketed down for 3 hours , and the local $2 shop had sold out of emergency ponchos . Further anguish ensued upon arrival at the ground, when it was discovered the pre-booked seats for the match, were in the middle of the Opposition TeamMembers Area .
A teenage daughters mate texted , " what a dead set legend '', probably for both attending the game , and sitting amongst the toughest group of fans , on this most parochial of grounds !A hard night at the office followed, for this loyal fan , a staunch supporter of arguably the most success starved , of AFL clubs .
The well travelled , football jumper , jersey , guernsey will arrive home , colours lowered on the night , but hopefully not too severely scarred , ready to battle on . Now if only I can get the stains out . Hopefully , they are beer stains , and are not the byproduct of too much beer consumption , which is said to be sprayed on opposition fans , at this Ground , if you can believe Eddie Mc Guire's Missus .
