Its all happening in the so called , " off season " , of the AFL footy competition .
The Irish thrashed the Aussie team , in the two match International Rules series, held in Melbourne and Brisbane recently . Displaying superlative ball skills , and fine agility the Irishmen outplayed , outkicked and outmarked ,the hapless Aussies , who looked like a bunch of amateurs compared to the skillful Irish team

boags sherrin footy

Saints

Fans wearing their footy jumpers , jerseys , guernseys ,watched on in horror as the Aussies lost to the better team of the series .

Saints on Beach

Sherrin The Aussie brand besmirched by the Irish

Coaches and footy teams are talking uo their latest recruits whilst GWS , the AFL's new Sydney team , prepare for a draft pick coup on the 24 November .

The Saints are back on St Kilda Beach . Hundreds of loyal fans turned out , in their Saints football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , with new coach , Scott Watters , captain Nick Rieweoldt and defender Sam Gilbert to film ' saints on the beach ' . A new cocktail , you ask , no , its the Saints latest publicity stunt , to secure membership for 2012,  and promote the team . It is the earliest many bleary eyed fans have got out of bed , and ventured to St Kilda Beach , since their night clubbing days at Bojangles in the 70's , at the same location . On hand, looking resplendent , in their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys, the beach was awash with the red , white and black.

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

AFL players , and fans can behave badly . AFL Coaches should not . Sorry , its a little word , say it , and move on Mick .

STKFC

Elsewhere , fans are girding their loins and donning their football jumpers  , whilst watching games , and asking the question ,  will we make it ? Watch the footy over the next few weeks , and enjoy some spectacular action,  as teams , desperate for a place in the Finals , play some truly inspirational footy .

Mick's old Jumper

Two AFL coaches have been sacked , injured players are being hastily rehabilitated,  and fans are being encouraged to buy three games season passes to see their teams in action , prior to the Finals .

Collingwood , are the favourites for flag 2012 , Cats ,  Hawks and Blues worthy challengers , with the  Saints making a late run . The WCE , in a miraculous recovery went from Wooden Spooners last year,  to serious contenders in Season 2011  . The Bulldogs , Bombers , Demons , Kangaroos , Swans and Dockers need to keep winning , and the Tigers , Suns , Lions  , Power and Crows appear to be out  of the Race.

Western Invaders

It is definitely the business  end of the Season as teams scramble for places in the Final Eight . Coaches are being held accountable for their teams poor performances , witness the exit of Dean Bailey , and Neil Craig before the Seasons end .

Lions good record in Finals

Footy Fans, thrilled by the recent action on the field , and  bemused by the off field manoeuvrings , are hopeful that their team can win a finals berth , and are  showing their support  by  wearing their teams football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys.

The humble AFL Football Jumper is no more . Packaged in aerodynamic fabric , now the traditional colours have changed . Carlton, won in the baby blue again last night , and the Tigers replacement of their traditional sash , with a dreamtime painting last weekend , has made the jumpers a highly sought after item .

Blues Clash no more ?

Melbourne Demons , are yet to replicate their hot pink strip , of a few years ago, which they  wore as a Breast Cancer fundraiser , but it appears the skys the limit as to who adopts what strip when .

Nicky Winmar's Jumper ?

Collingwood , are sticking doggedly to their black and white though. Ironic really , as Nicky Winnar , great indigenous Sainter , lifted his footy jumper,  to show his black skin , in the last game the Magpies played against the Saints , at Victoria Park.

The Blues played in a bright blue , footy jumper , on Monday night .  It is vastly different to their traditional navy blue colours. Is it the new colour Mars Bar , to  promote  the Carlton sponsor ? or is it the shade of a re-invented M&M ?

Saints have the Blues

. Whatever , the shade of blue , it brought on a case of the blues , and a lot of blue faces , for the luckless Saints who are struggling with only 1 & 1/2 wins in the AFL Football Season 2011.

The Collingwood Machine continues to roll on , crushing all in its path . They weren't even playing in the last round , receiving a bye , but still managed to capture  the headlines of the Saturday papers . Similiar to Todays Age , as they reveal plans to resurrect the number 42 , jumper , jersey , guernsey . It belonged to former  Magpie hard man, Darren Millane , who died tragically in a car accident in 1991 . They don't have to be just winners to hit the headlines ..

True Blue

The Saints , Cats , Hawks , Magpies , Suns , Blues , Tigers and Freo all had a good day at the office for round 5 of the AFL footy fixture . The Swans , Demons , and Eagles all had a rest .

Win this Eagles Jumper to wear to the footy

Many highlights and great entertainment was provided over the extended round of matches for the Easter / Anzac Day holiday break . A milestone was reached by the Suns , when they won their first AFL Game . Collingwood proved too strong for Essendon , and Geelong looked good against the Hawks .

The Saints posted their first win for season 2011 , as did the Tigers ,who proved more accurate in front of goals than the Kangaroos , with young spearhead , Jack Riewoldt booting five goals . The Bulldogs were unlucky in WA and lost only in the dying minutes of the game to the Dockers .

Fans enjoying the mighty spectacle of a holiday fixture of AFL Football , watched games wearing their beloved football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .

Footy kicks off tonight , in Brisbane , with a Game between the winless Saints ,  and Lions . Three teams are resting , with the rest of the fixture promising a blockbuster round of entertainment for fans , culminating in Anzac Day's battle , Bombers Vs Magpies. A 2008 Grand Final replay , between the Hawks and Cats , is set for the final match of the round .

Baby , its warm inside

An AFL football jumper , jersey , guernsey , wrapped around an Easter  Egg , is a novel gift idea for the  holidays. Too much of a good thing , aka known as chocolate , can only fast track you to the dentist . A jumper is practical , stylish , will become much loved , and marks the occasion with significance , and fond memory .   Do something different this Easter and buy a football jumper !

Last weekend saw mixed results , for all afl football teams . Collingwood , continued its winning streak , the Saints eked out a draw against Richmond , but lost Lenny Hayes , for the rest of the season to injury . The Gold Coast Suns , playing their first AFL game , were thrashed by the Blues , and West Coast upset the Power at home to win . Geelong scraped home against Freo , whilst a strong Sydney team beat the revitalised Bombers . Hawthorn and the Bulldogs beat their opponents , the Demons and the Lions respectively .

Fans supported their team , by wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys ,

Baby Magpies

to watch the Game .

Who can stop Collingwood ?How many games will the Suns lose ? When will the Bombers win again ?

All questions to be answered at the next round of matches . Its fun , its exciting , its AFL football , and fans wearing their football jumpers are along for the ride .!

Kangas to bounce 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 ?