The Saints to wear the Clash Strip

St Kilda , in beating the Western Bulldogs , on Saturday night at the MCG , advanced to the Grand Final . They will play the Collingwood Magpies ,who were successful in their preliminary final match, on Friday , against the Geelong Cats .

Last night, the Bronlow Medal was awarded to Chris Judd , the Carlton Blues Captain .He is a second time winner , having last won it in 2004 , when playing for the West Coast Eagles.

Three questions were asked last night .

Is Gary Ablett moving to the Gold Coast Suns?

Will James Hird be the new coach of  the Essendon Bombers ?

Are the wedding preparations for the Twigley / Judd , Nuptials finished?

Judd was at West Coast in 2004

All remain unanswered and all parties complain off being asked the question too frequently ? Perhaps if they  answered , it would stop the speculation . In not answering are they using a clever marketing ploy to gain them even more media exposure ?

Melbourne is awash with Finals Fever ! Fans are dressed for the Game, in their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys ,and are adorning their homes , cars, family and pets with their teams colours .

Tickets to the match are sold out with all available seating being exhausted .

Many will watch the epic struggle between these two great clubs, both with a proud history . One has Finals success ,  one has a distinct lack of it .

Collingwood's Jumper

Will it finally be the turn of the underdog to win ? St Kilda has recent Grand Final experience  , Collingwood does not . Can one of the least successful clubs in the AFL Competition beat the strength of one of the most popular ?

I have just spent a week in Sydney, where Rugby League, is the popular local sport .

The AFL, has announced that it issued a licence, to Sydney's second AFL team , Greater West Sydney .

Kevin Sheedy , former AFL Richmond player and Essendon Coach is the man entrusted with the establishment and development of the new team. "

"Sheeds" has played a major role in getting more indigenous players into the competition.

At the NSW Art Gallery, a display of black and white photographs , showed the La Perouse Rugby League, indigenous team.

Inspiring photos of a proud history .

Saturday , was AFL match day in Sydney , when the Swans played the Hawks. A party atmosphere was in the air, as the jovial fans dressed in their football jumpers , guernseys, jerseys , made their way through, Surry Hills clogged streets ,to the SCG .

None, seemed too concerned, about getting there , for the first bounce . Many would miss it .

Brave Hawks fans,  wearing their teams football jumpers, jerseys , guernseys, were mixed in amongst the crowd.

The Swans , were victorious and the young indigenous player, Lewis Jetta ,kicked his first goal since being drafted to the Swans team earlier this year.

An indigenous West Australian , playing AFL football , in the only Sydney team in the competition , on a saturday afternoon , at the SCG with 29.000 fans attending .

AFL Football, on a local , interstate, and global level is attracting fans and players everywhere .

Jetta is a West Australian

Melbourne Football Club ,(aka , the Demons ), are the oldest football club, playing in the current AFL competition .

Established in 1859 , they celebrated their 150 year anniversary, last year in 2009.

In 1859 ,two months after Melbourne , the Geelong Football Club, joined the competition .

Called the Victorian Football League, or VFL, it was based in Victoria .

Carlton joined the League in 1864 , North Melbourne in 1869 and Essendon , St Kilda and Hawthorn all joined in 1873.

Carlton Blues Original Vintage Jumper ?

These clubs have been kicking the Sherrin for a long time.

All, have pursued the ultimate trophy , of a Premiership ,with varying degrees of success.

All , have a proud history , of playing AFL football.

Fans , love their club , their support is tribal ,and will come to watch them play , win , lose , or draw.

Perhaps the only difference between the 1800's crowds, and today's, apart from numbers , is that modern fans, wear their  football jumpers, jerseys ,guernseys to the Game.

Melbourne Demons Jumper Celebrating 150 years anniversary