Friday nights second semi final , at the MCG , between the Swans and Hawks , treated fans to some great footy action .The ' Buddy magic ' show had come to town and the 55,000 fans , in attendance , many wearing their football jumpers, jerseys , guernseys ,enjoyed the spectacle . The Swans were defeated by the rampaging Hawks , much to the delight of the parochial crowd .

blues traditional jumper

eagles home jumper

In WA,  Ross Lyon , STKFC 's defecting coach, faced the WA media . His departure  has launched a facebook and twitter furore from  saints fans ,  including Molly Meldrum , who says he brought boring footy to the club .

Elsewhere in WA , the Blues trained in their baby blue football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys . Does this mean they will tackle the Eagles tonight in the non traditional , baby blue coloured football jumper ?

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

It was a weekend of great footy . Bottom side , Port Power , almost beat the top eight team , the Bombers , an emotional Swans side , defeated the Cats in Geelong , and the Saints thrashed the Kangaroos .

demons win

Interstate battles , saw the Tigers win against the Crows , the Eagles just hold off the brave young Lions , and Collingwood thrash Freo in the West . Hawthorn , comfortably beat the Bulldogs , and Carlton had a rest. Melbourne , with ailing club legend , Jim Stynes, looking on , beat the Suns at the MCG .

Fans , wearing their footy jumpers , were treated to some first class entertainment , with more to come in the upcoming ,

Hawks 7 , Buddy 5

AFL Finals Series .

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

25 % off sale , on most items , in ebay store Football Fashions , starting 23 July until 31 July , 2011.

Buy new , and superior quality recycled , AFL Licensed , Sponsored Merchandise . Sale items include , Football Jumpers , and assorted supporter wear , scarves , beanies , caps , ponchos , training singlets , tops and jerseys .

Discounted jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , include AFL Teams Brisbane Lions , Port Adelaide Power , West Coast Eagles , St Kilda Saints , Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons .

Bag a bargain

Saints on Sale

Two Riewoldts are playing tonight . Jack Riewoldt , the  Richmond Tigers exciting young goal kicker , is playing against his cousin Nick 's  , St Kilda Saints team .

Jack 's Jumper

Each , will be playing at different ends of the football ground . Both , are hoping to play in a winning team , and to kick  goals .

The Saints Riewoldt  , captain of the St Kilda team , has had a difficult summer , being exposed for allegedly indulging in inappropriate behaviour  . St Kilda's one point loss to the Geelong Cats , last week , was not the season starter the Saints were hoping for .

Conversely , the Tiger's ,  Jack Riewoldt has had a good summer , lost some weight and gained some muscle , and looks set to continue his goal kicking form of the first round , when he kicked 6 goals .

Both teams were robbed of victory in Round One , and will be hoping to avenge the loss of last week , and post their first victory , of the 2011 AFL Home and Away Season .

Which team will be successful on the night ? And which Riewoldt will kick the most goals ?

Saints Nick

Melb Ports old Swans Home

Last weekend , in the leafy confines , of Orrong Road  , Toorak , I spotted a huge , Collingwood Magpies team logo , painted on a front fence . Is it Eddie's McGuires pad , or just an ardent fan , still revelling in post Grand Final glory ?

Perhaps they got the idea , from Molly Meldrums annual painting of his Richmond fence , in Melbourne Storm , and St Kilda Saints colours ?

Also spotted yesterday , at a downtown Middle Park cafe , were Simon Crean, and Bill Kelty . They were joined by Brett Kirk , recently retired , AFL Sydney Swans player .

Wine , amidst BLT's , with icons of AFL footy plus Victorian Unionist and Federal pollies !

An eclectic mix , or a peculiarly Victorian formula for success?

It begs the question , is Captain Kirk , about to enter politics with the endorsement of the labor power brokers , in the Swans former heartland of Melbourne Ports ?

Footy and Labor , a heady mix !

It might be the off season for AFL Football , but its never completely out of our life .

Many fans are still wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , or like the owner of the fence , boldly enjoying victory.

Footy in Melb all year round

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 ?

The unbelievable has happened,  with the  Collingwood Magpies versus St Kilda Saints , Grand Final match  , last weekend , resulting in a draw .

A rematch will be played on October 2nd , at the MCG , at 2.10 pm .

It is only the third grand final replay, in VFL/AFL history.

Both teams played valiantly but were denied an outright win. It wasn't the easy match , with Collingwood dominating, that most predicted .The Saints proved they are a force to be reckoned with , and almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat .

Adding further drama to the day, was the flooding of both teams change rooms , with a sewerage leak from a broken pipe,  making the rooms inaccessible after the game .

Most spectators ,shocked and disbelieving at the final siren will be back next week , same time , same place , same combatants .

Fans will be there wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys ,hoping for a result in favour of their team .

VAFA Saints Colours JumperVAFA Saints Colours JumperRoosters Jersey

Whilst the AFL stands to gain a huge financial windfall , from the rematch, there will need to be some hasty rescheduling of other sporting events , eg the VRC ,Turnbull Stakes Day, at Flemington racecourse , on 2nd October will probably be moved, to Sunday the 3rd October.

Luckily ,the NRL Grand Final between the St George Illawarra Dragons , and the Sydney Roosters begins at 5.00pm. It won't clash with the AFL Grand Final , which should be over by then . However the two minor NRL finals ,NSW Cup Grand Final , and the Toyota Cup (NYC) Grand Final,  scheduled to play at 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm respectively, will be on at the same time .

Sydney Roosters jersey