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

There is a display relating to suburban footy grounds , and supporters , in "The Melbourne Story " , exhibition at Melbourne Museum.

Old Style Saints Football Jumper

Relive old memories , reminisce with fellow fans , and show the kids where you went to watch footy .

These , Aussie Rules Footy Games , were played at the your local suburban grounds , to smaller crowds,  with uncomplicated expectations , apart from the hope that their team would win .

Fans walked , drove , rode a bike or caught the bus , to their local ground , which provided a central community hub , for the locals , and their team .

The local footy ground , provided a site of identity , and belonging, for supporters.

The " Saturday Arvo Fever ", section of the exhibition , might display a bygone era , but fans were still keen to watch their beloved football team , whilst wearing their  football jumper , jersey , guernsey.

Modern Lions Football Jumper

Take  a look , at the Museum of Melbourne , Nicholson St , Carlton.

St Kilda ran out winners over the  Sydney Swans  by 15 points in a game that saw the Swans goalless for 78 minutes of play. The Swans dominated the first quarter to lead by 27 points at the first quarter break.The Saints fought back through the superior ball skills of their midfield and beat the Swans at their own game by producing an impenetrable defence. The Saints provided a rousing opening round victory for success starved fans .

The Crows are flying high after treating their home town fans to a great game of footy at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. The Crows were out to revenge their loss to Collingwood last September on the same ground that starved them of Finals success. It was the Crows who scored the points when they ultimately outplayed the Magpies in a closely contested tussle that saw the victors win by only four points.

Michael Voss the new coach of the Brisbane Lions achieved success on his coaching debut when his team held on to beat the West Coast Eagles at the Gabba. The Lions defeated the Eagles by nine points   despite not kicking a goal in  the last quarter.  The Lions have not lost a season-opening match at the Gabba since 1998. Voss was happy to keep this record intact.

North Melbourne ably beat last years wooden spooners Melbourne Football Club by 34 points in a sunday afternoon game at the MCG . In a highly entertaining game which saw both sides display well honed football skills North Melbourne prevailed to win the game . Melbourne have improved and gave a good contest to the Kangaroos who are buoyed for their next game against the Western Bulldogs.

Power played an aggressive  hard tackling brand of football to run out comfortable winners over the young  Essendon Football Club. Playing at home in 31 degree heat the Power treated fans to an enthralling display. Essendon still undergoing major rebuilding of their team played a largely young side whose inexperience and skill level were to let them down on the night .Port ultimately won the game by 41 points providing all associated with the Power a boost in their times of financial difficulty.

The Bulldogs convincingly beat the Dockers in Subiaco at the weekend  by 63 points. The Doggies kicked their seaon off to a great start with a resounding win over the hapless Dockers who look set to endure another year of under achieving and unsatisfactory results.