Carlton , winning their first AFL final for 10 years , defeated the Bombers at the weekend . Jubilant , they are into round two of the AFL footy finals . WA and the Eagles beckon . The quietly confident Blues are so not Blue about that . Nor are fans who will be cheering their Blues on , wearing the ever changing style of the Carlton football , jumper , jersey , guernsey .  

With the first week of the AFL  Finals Series , being played out over the weekend, fans were treated to some competitive action .

CFC

carlton jumper

The Cats overpowered the Hawks on Friday night at the MCG in a thrilling final . Hawthorn star Buddy Franklin , suffered a possible season ending injury , much to the dismay of Hawks fans , and football lovers alike.

.2010 Premiers , Collingwood , beat last years wooden spooners ,the Eagles on Saturday afternoon at the MCG . The Saints , despite playing at their home ground of Etihad Stadium , were outplayed by the  Swans on Saturday night . Similiarily , over 90 , 000 footy fans , witnessed the  Blues thrash the Bombers by more than  10 goals , in blustery conditions , at the MCG on Sunday afternoon .

In the second week of the Finals , Hawthorn and the Swans play on Friday night  at the MCG . The Blues travel to WA , for Saturday night's clash against the Eagles . Both games promise much excitement , and fans will be watching , wearing their  football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .

swans jumper

wce jumper

Saints back in winning form

Some interesting results came from the weekend round of AFL matches . Several teams had wins following a string of losses , most notably the Bombers , Crows and Lions. A surprising outcome was the Bombers victory, over the previously undefeated Cats . Carlton thrashed the Tigers , and Collingwood defeated the Hawks , in front of a massive 84,000 crowd at the MCG .

Carlton poised to cause an upset in the Finals

The top four teams of the ladder seem set , the next four less so . Several teams are just outside the top eight , and need to keep winning , in order to secure a place in the Finals .

At this crucial point of the Season , fans supported their teams , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , and enjoyed the spectacle of watching good  footy played .

Some questions remain .

Will the Players request for greater revenue from TV coverage rights , make a dent in Andrew Demetriou's offshore fish and chip fund ?

Can the Magpies win another Flag ?.

When will the media stop reporting on Eddie McGuire's every  spoken word, and action?

Can CFC make it 16?

Traditional

Round 13 , Lucky for some ? The relieved Bulldogs,  finally had a win by beating the luckless Crows , and the Hawks thrashed the Sun Lovers from the North , the GCSFC, in arctic conditions in Tasmania . In cold old Melbourne Town, the Blues beat the Sydneysiders , and the Melbourne FC , annihilated the Dockers , on a wintery day at the MCG .

NMFC continued its winning run , of four in a row , beating a deflated Bombers side . The Cats beat the Saints , who were wearing , predominantly  all black , football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys. The Lions were beaten by the Tigers , and West Coast beat the Power  . Collingwood , had the bye and celebrated by sending some players to Arizona , bemoaning Daisy's suspension , and holding a garage sale of superseded gear , of  the back of a truck !

AFL Football Jumpers , of all colours were worn over the weekend , some traditional , some not . Its past the half way mark of the Season , and the top 4 seem set . These are all  Victorian teams , with proud history's of winning flags , and all boast  strong claims to this years flag . The next three teams outside this group , are interstate teams .

Fans are watching , and are enjoying their footy   , whilst wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .

Superceded

Collingwood's domination continued on Friday night , when they thrashed Richmond , cold weather specialists Hawthorn, beat the warm blooded Eagles in Tasmania , and Carlton and Essendon , drew in an epic struggle , on Saturday afternoon at the MCG . Geelong beat Sydney on NSW turf , and Port won the battle of the two SA teams , beating the Crows. Melbourne overpowered the Suns in Brisbane , and Freo defeated a luckless, North Melbourne Football Club . The Saints , needing a rest , had a bye, as did the Brisbane Lions, and Western Bulldogs .

buckleys baby jumper

The first game of the Easter round is on Thursday , when the StKFC play the Lions , in Qld .Both , want their first win of the 2011 Season.No Good Friday Games , but many will be played around Australia, over Easter .Two blockbusters , are planned for the MCG . The first being the Anzac Day, Magpies Vs Bombers clash, and Easter Tuesday's Game , Hawthorn Vs Geelong .

Six clubs , have played in drawn games so far this season . A record number , underlining how closely the teams are matched . Many fans , will be attending matches over the Easter holiday , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys.

Wayne Careys jumper

The third round of matches for the 2011 AFL Season, saw Collingwood beat Carlton , Geelong thrash Port , Western Bulldogs annihilate the Gold Coast Suns , Freo beat Adelaide , Sydney outplay the Eagles , and Hawthorn thrash Richmond .

St Kilda's dismal start to the season continued when they performed poorly against the youthful Bombers in show off red shorts , and Melbourne snatched defeat from the Brisbane Lions . Collingwood appear unstoppable in their relentless pursuit of the 2011 premiership flag . A record breaking crowd of 88, 000 + delirious fans revelled , in the unfurling of the 2010 premiers flag , pre match at the MCG.

All weekend , fans streamed into grounds in their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , to watch from the grandstands ,  listen via radio , or view the Match on TV  .

Nothing beats the fast action , or the adrenaline rush , when your team hits the front . Its not for the faint hearted , nor are the new style football jumpers / guernseys , which mould to fit the players body shape like a glove !

Animal print = lion hearted

Round One of the AFL Home and Away Season,  was played out over the weekend. Many games were close contests , with the victors  winning by one or two points . Collingwood and Essendon were the notable exceptions . Both teams thrashed their opposition  . The Swans and Demons , staged a thrilling draw at the MCG , and the Saints , were unlucky to be beaten by one point by the Cats , in the closing minutes of play . New Queensland team, the Gold Coast Suns had a bye .

The AFL , marked the opening of the 2011 Season,  by providing rock band entertainment , asking team players to assemble to sing the National Anthem, and inviting  recently retired players to toss the coin for the first bounce of the ball.

There were many highlights , such as Jack Riewoldt kicking six goals for the Richmond Tigers . The dominance of Collingwood is still apparent , and the resurgence of the Bombers has ignited their fans passions  .

Many watched , many went to the Game , and many wore their football jumper , jersey , guernsey .

Bombers are Back

.

The AFL 2011 Home and Away Season starts on Thursday at the MCG . The two sides expected to be the most improved in 2011 , Carlton and Richmond , play in a Thursday night match .

Footy starved fans will be watching wearing their teams oolours football jumpers , jerseys ,guernseys .

Vintage

Off field footy news has involved much scandal over the Summer break .

Who will Fevola play for ?

Can the Saints  play in another  Grand Final .?

Is Richmonds Riewoldt going to kick 100 + goals

Three flags for the  Magpies ?

Can the Gold Coast Suns perform ?

Will Essendon fly with Hirdy and Bomber on board ?

Can the Bulldogs win the flag ?

How many members can North Melbourne attract ?

Games played every night of the week for Carlton ?

During the Off season the afl was received a lot of media attention . Much  has been written about the AFL , its players and managers . Not all has been favourable .Can the AFL provide the family entertainment , fans are looking for.?

Thursday night is a good start with a blockbuster epic of a game promised at the MCG .

Season 2011 promises much . Are you along for the ride ?

Its all over for another year .

The AFL Grand Final Replay, of 2010 , saw the Collingwood Magpies,  run out convincing winners , over the St Kilda Saints .

Magpies fans were jubiliant , Saints fans distraught .To quote Age journalist
Peter Temple " the Age of Wood is upon us . And may the football gods have mercy upon our souls ".

Hird and Essendon , Thompson and Geelong , continue to receive much media exposure . Not bad for two teams whose season was a failure . Geelong , being knocked out of the running early,  in their finals campaign , and Essendon  , languishing near the bottom of the ladder , for most of the season.

Football Jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , were worn by fans . Many will continue to be worn , others will be packed lovingly away .

The other Saints , NRL team , St George Illawarra Dragons , won their first premiership in 31 years , against the Sydney Roosters .One lot of Saints , red , white , and black colours, raised in victory , another lot lowered , in defeat.

Fans love their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , and will continue to wear them , whatever the season or occasion.

Are they poised to become the next , must have , fashion accessory ?

Two True Blue Roos Jumpers

On the eve , of the Grand Final Replay, Collingwood Magpies and St Kilda Saints , are preparing for another closely contested match .

The Saints , still considered the underdogs , will play with an unchanged line up from last week , with the exception of injured ruckman Michael Gardiner who is replaced by Ben Mc Evoy .

Collingwood, have dropped mercurial Leon Davis , and replaced him with Tyson Goldsack .

Collingwood Fans , turned out in their  thousands,  to again watch friday training, at Goschs Paddock .

A feeling of deju vu , for both clubs tomorrow,  as they again take to the big stage of the MCG , to try and win the 2010 premiership.

Much has been written in the press , and televised in the media , about last weeks Game . More will be written after tomorrows clash .

Side issues have muddied the waters , eg Hird to coach Essendon , Ablett will be a GC Sun 2011 , and Bomber Thompson set to leave the Cats.

This week the Saints have dared to dream . Collingwood are not appearing as invincible as last week . Even the Magpies have stopped swooping the canine population in the local park .

The victor will be decided on Saturday , 2nd October .

Fans , will be watching wearing their team colours jumper , jersey , guernsey.

Can Saints have an historic Win ?