With an expanded AFL competition, and inclusion of interstate teams, a big venue, Saturday afternoon ,Football Game, in Melbourne , is rare.

Will Collingwood Win?

Such a blockbuster, is planned for this Saturday afternoon, at Melbourne 's MCG . The match promises much . Its scheduled at the traditional time slot of 2.10pm , and combined with the large seating capacity of the Ground , a bumper crowd of 75,000 fans , are expected .

Tenacious Collingwood, take on flag hopefuls , St Kilda . It promises riveting entertainment, and thousands of fans will be out in their team's jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .

Bring it on.

Will Saints Win ?

AFL players , if charged by an umpire , for breaches of the playing code, are reported to the AFL tribunal. They are required to appear , and make a plea concerning the charges .Appeals for leniency can be heard , or fines imposed .

Not so in the Tour de France . Apparently two " scrawny hill climbers " to quote ABC , aussie sports journalist Jones , had a fracas at the end of a particularly difficult passage during the ride . Upon crossing the line , they dismounted , and fought vigorously for sometime, which included using WWE wrestling holds .

Their penalty for brawling, and bringing their sport and sportsmanship into disrepute ? A measly $400 .Small bickies indeed compared to the hefty suspensions and weighty fines handed out to infringers of the AFL code .

AFL supporters,  love a good stoush , too ,witness the Lions V Saints melee in last Saturdays Game.

Fans, who wear their teams jumpers, jerseys , guernseys, to the Game, are keen to witness action,  both on and off the field .

Saints in Melee on Saturday

The modern day , AFL,  football jumper, is vastly different to its predecessor.

Old style Football Jumper

Its multi-coloured,  dri - fit , polyester , and is usually sleeveless, with a round neck , that has sponsors, team logos, and a number printed on it .

Contrast to the older style , wool or acrylic knitted football jumper , often with long sleeves , button up front , v neck or collar and logos and number sewn on .

Many supporters like the newer style of jumpers, jerseys , guernseys.

Many prefer the older style of jumper.

Personal preference between the two.

Perhaps fans like the traditional style jumper, which is soaked in relevant memories , whilst the new kid on the block is yet to build any.

New , modern , Football Jumper

The AFL,  have scheduled a football match , for this Thursday night .

The Carlton Blues , play the Brisbane Lions , in  Etihad Stadium ,  at 7.10pm .

Local popular side  Carlton , play rival interstate side , Brisbane.

Another clever marketing innovation , by the AFL , to get fans at games , mid week?

Will fans turn out on thursday night, in their  , jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , to watch the Game?

Interestingly , of the 8 games in this round  , 3 home games are to be played at Etihad Stadium , compared to only 2 , to be played at the MCG.

Lions on a Thursday ?

The split round of AFL matches,  for Round 13 , continues this weekend .

Saints and Cats , play tonight at the MCG , under lights , in front of a huge crowd.

Swans and Magpies,  play in Sydney , on Saturday night , at ANZ Stadium .

The Demons,  play the Crows , in Adelaide , on Sunday afternoon.

All games will be televised .

Port are having a rest

With only one Game to be played in Melbourne,  this weekend , many fans will be reduced , to wearing their football jumpers , jerseys, guernseys , whilst watching footy , on TV .

Disgruntled fans, will be keen to attend next weekend's,  full round of matches .

This split round , is it a rest for the AFL players , or a clever marketing move by the AFL hierarchy.?

Demons play in Clash Jumper

Is the Footy Show still relevant?

Its a question , many AFL fans , must ask themselves every thursday night ?

A respected panel , of AFL footballers , past and present , and two legends of the game,  Sam Newman and Garry Lyon , are the main presenters of the show.

Sam Newman's Jumper ?

James Brayshaw, ex cricketer , and president of North Melb Football Club is a co -presenter .

Segments on teams , playing in upcoming matches , are brief and factual.

The studio audience , is made up of AFL football fans , wearing their teams football jumper , jersey , guernsey .

They are vocal , and hope to glean a snippet of information,  not aired in other media,  through the insights of guest panellist Craig Hutchinson.

Begun in 1994 , it has achieved huge popularity , even winning a Gold Logie .

In recent times has it descended into a second rate entertainment ?

Does it provide enough discussion, on teams and matches , or focus instead on false allegations , racist and sexist taunts , and victimise people on a segment called ," street talk' ?

Love it or hate it ?

The Footy Show

Sidney Nolan ,the famous Australian painter has an iconic painting called the " Footballer " (1946) on display at the Ian Potter Centre of the NGV .

Painted whilst Nolan lived in St Kilda it is believed to be of 1940s St Kilda legend Keith Miller .

Nolan, who died in 1992 , is no longer able to confirm of deny this.

The attendance by Nolan at the footy and his choice of subject matter prove that footy appeals to many even the artistic intelligentsia .

Nolan's work is globally respected and highly valued . His Kelly series of paintings are legendary .

AFL football as depicted in this 1940's piece proves it was a popular spectator sport even then .

Have a look at this great painting and see the early aussie rules player in his striped jumper , jersey , guernsey .

Today' s Saints Jumper

Four long term AFL players have announced their retirement this week . Brett Kirk of Sydney and Simon Goodwin of Adelaide Crows will retire at the end of the 2010 AFL season.

Tyson Edwards of the Adelaide Crows has retired effective immediately and Troy Simmonds,Richmond Tigers will play his farewell Game this Friday night .

All brilliant athletes and faithful servants of their clubs who have entertained fans for many years.

Each has worn his team colours , jumper , jersey, guernsey with pride .

Fans all around the country will turn out to cheer these inspirational men and to witness them take their one last kick of the Sherrin on a public stage.

Who will adopt their numbers on the back of their jumpers, jerseys , guernseys for 2011 Season ?

Kirk's look alike Jumper

The pressure to succeed and the unpredictability of the modern AFL game was never more evident than in last weekends round of matches .

The Cats thrashed the Lions at the Gabba', Western Bulldogs beat in form team Sydney and the Saints suffered their third loss in a row to a speedy , youthful Bombers side .

The Richmond Tigers looked poised to breakthrough with their first win of the 2010 season only to have it snatched away by their Hawthorn opponents in the dying moments of the game.

A  youthful Melbourne Demons team were no match for a rejuvenated West Coast Eagles who beat them soundly at the MCG.

Interstate results saw Carlton hold off Port Power at AAMI stadium and the Collingwood Magpies beat vastly improved Fremantle Dockers at Subiaco.

Many fans, tipsters and media commentators would have expected different results to those posted in this round of matches .

Fans were out everywhere in their jumpers , jerseys , guernseys to cheer their team on and to will them to succeed.

Nic Naitanui's Jumper

AFL Football Fans wear their jumpers all year round .

At this time of year they can be worn over other clothing as an extra layer for warmth.

The modern sleeveless style of jumper , jersey ,guernsey is popular for this reason.

Not only is it the style most players prefer but it allows for layers underneath .

They look good , are stylish and practical , are affordable and can be worn with layers for warmth in winter .

Sleeveless style