Spotted a Collingwood Football Jumper , at my local PCYC Gym , Friday , 7.00am .Yes , a bit early to be sporting the sartorial elegance of the Magpies colours,  but hey if you've got it,  flaunt it . Muscled torso , young pecs , devil may care attitude , all topped of by the premiership winning , teams colours .The wearer seemed oblivious , to the envious stares , or were they annoyed looks , as he was wearing it,  at St Kilda PCYC , a stronghold of Saints fans !

The AFL , announced on Thursday,  the fixture for the 2011 Season , of Home and Away Matches . Most clubs , seem content  with the draw . The AFL , are trying innovative approaches,  with spreading more football over week night games ,

another Qld team joins the Competition

and taking afl , to more interstate venues . The new team Gold Coast Suns,  play their inaugural home game,  against Carlton ,  on Saturday night 2 April . 2011.

The 2011 season , runs from 24 March 2011 ,  to  1  October 2011.

The NAB Cup , precedes the Home and Away Season,  with matches scheduled,  for February 2011.

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

Must be Spring . The AFL Football Finals are on .

Last weekend was the start of the 2010 AFL Finals Series.

It was superlative entertainment , of the highest level .

This weekend promises further excitement, with the scheduled round of matches .

Quite apart from the physical , mental and verbal jousts , of the on field action, fans have been treated to sledging , between rival coaches , on and off the field.

Its raw , action packed , and emotive stuff that is not for the faint hearted . Many Saints fans can attest to this after last friday nights cliffhanger . Patrons were overheard being asked in a Balaclava coffee shop ( heart of St Kilda territory ) on Saturday morning " hows the ticker " ? The game was so close many sainters were in danger of having a heart attack before the final siren !

The old adage " Winners are grinners and losers can suit themselves " is most relevant .

Local fans , who have endured a long cold , wet Melbourne winter , floods , and election uncertainty , are poised to wrench every moment of enjoyment, from this final series.

Supporters everywhere , wearing their football jumpers, jersey's , guernsey's , say " bring it on " .

Are Collingwood Flag Favourites ?

The first AFL , Football Final , was held last night.

Appropriately , the curtain raiser, was a match between the two Grand Finalists , of last year . The two Victorian teams, St Kilda and Geelong , playing on a Friday night at the MCG in front of 63,000 parochial fans.

It was adrenalin fuelled , frenetically paced action from start to finish .

The rematch promised much , and the Game delivered . Blood flowed , umpires were maligned , fans roared , fowards missed set shots on goal, but the gritty Saints, ground out a heart stopping win .It was a brilliant spectacle.St Kilda ,avenging last years devastating loss, doggedly prevailed with a four point win, over the marauding Cats .

Fans , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , were at the MCG .What started as a mild , dry night ended in torrential rain , with conditions both on and off the ground , becoming slippery and rain soaked .

High profile Saints fan , Eric Bana , was willing his team to win but so were many of the Saints faithful .

Whilst there are still games to play , many Saints fans ,  left the game with a spring in their step , a smile on their face, and a bit of hope in their heart .

Collingwood , flag favourites , play the skillful Western Bulldogs today at the MCG with a huge crowd expected .

Magpies Vs Doggies today

Julia Gillard , their number one ticket holder will be watching .Is her struggle for power , to be likened to the Bulldogs epicurean struggle , for victory over the Magpies ?

Its fast , its fun , its exciting . Who will be the ultimate victor ?

Finals footy is here at last,  and last nights match was a spectacular forerunner , of whats to come .

Can the Saints relive their 1966 Premiership Dream ?

A crowd of almost 82,000 , went to the MCG last Saturday afternoon , to watch , the Collingwood versus St Kilda Game .

It was a massive crowd,  for a typical , home and away clash of the Season. Fans love Saturday Afternoon Footy. They go in their football jumpers, jerseys, guernseys , to enjoy the Game.

The AFL , could schedule more Games, for a Saturday afternoon in Melbourne ,at either of the stadiums .

Collingwood Magpies , who have the most financial members in the AFL ,possibly comprised up to 50,000 fans.

The rest , whether Saints fans,  or just lovers of AFL football, voted with their feet . Hopefully the AFL , will take notice .

Interstate Games are hard for fans to get to !