For the first time in a long time, the Australian Football League's Grand Final is on US TV live at 11:30 on ESPN Classic. Geelong faces St. Kilda at the MCG for Australian supremacy, which promises to be one of the best games in any country in 2009. If you've never heard of or seen a game of Australian football, at least give it a look see. The sport is pretty fast paced, and very entertaining. The Yoder Bros. are pumped up for tonight's game and you should be too!
We consider ourselves incredibly cultured with a global perspective here at RSS. And, we like to pretend we know everything there is to know about sports too. So, let's go down under for the first time for an AFL Grand Final Grand Preview by answering some of your likely questions.
Umm... Australian Football?
-Ok, let's start with what Aussie Rules is exactly. Basically, it's a cross between soccer, American football, and basketball. You kick for goals (6 points) or behinds (1 point), there's a lot of action, a lot of high flying, and some hitting, too. Basically, it's some of the best of all of these sports rolled into one. Plus, it's not a complicated sport to watch on TV, you get the hang of what's going on very quickly. Scroll down to the Youtube highlights of Geelong and St. Kilda's first meeting this season, (an all-time classic) to give you a taste of footy!
Gee what and St. Who?
-Geelong and St. Kilda are two of the traditional Melbourne based clubs in the AFL. Both are founding members of the Victorian Football League in 1896. St. Kilda went 20-2 this season and are looking for only their 2nd title in over 100 years. (I know some fans in Chicago that can sympathize...) Geelong has had more success in their history, especially recently going 57-9 the last three years. They've made 3 straight GF's, beating Port Adelaide by a record margin in '07 and being upset by Hawthorn in '08.
So then these teams are pretty good, right?
-Yes. St. Kilda has been absolutely dominant this season with an average winning margin of 35 points per game (scoring has a wide range in footy; St. Kilda's high this year is 161 points, and their best defensive effort was only giving up 28 points). They had the #3 Offense and the #1 Defense in footy while Geelong boasts the #2 Offense and #4 Defense. Geelong and St. Kilda have 10 of the 22 players on this year's All-Australian Team. These teams met in Round 14 while both teams were 13-0 (imagine a 13-0 Patriots team visiting 13-0 Dallas). In what was widely regarded as one of the best AFL games in recent memory, St. Kilda won by 1 goal 91-85. Everyone is expecting an absolutely titanic struggle in the Grand Final. Here's the highlights!
So who are some guys to watch?
-The battle will be in the midfield, where some of the brightest stars in the AFL will lineup for both sides. For Geelong, Gary Ablett Jr. (left) is the 2009 Brownlow Medal Winner (MVP) and reigning 3-time Player's Association Player of the Year. His father was one of the greats of the game and also played for Geelong. Midfielders Jimmy Bartel (2007 Brownlow winner) and Joel Corey can also dominate the game with a lot of possessions and disposals. For St. Kilda, Half-Forward Nick Riewoldt (right) took the most marks of anyone this season and kicked 65 Goals in being named captain of the AA team. Midfielders Nick Dal Santo, Lenny Hayes, and Leigh Montagna were also named to the All-Australian team this season. Whoever wins the midfield battle will likely come out on top.
Ok Crocodile Dundee, who's going to win?
-The best team of the last 3 seasons meets this season's best team. This promises to go down to the wire much like their Week 14 Showdown. Expect it to be played a little tighter like all finals usually are. St. Kilda might have the slight edge on Geelong up front, Riewoldt kicks the pressure goal down the stretch to give it to the Saints. Since I'm a New Orleans Saints fan, it's only natural to pick the Saints. WINNER - St. Kilda
The Yoder Bros hope you've enjoyed our brief vacation down under and that you check out the Aussie Rules Grand Final tonight. We'll be burning the midnight oil and brewing the coffee and the Mountain Dew all night long while enjoying the game. If you happen to check it out on ESPN Classic leave us a comment and let us know what you think. Bye for now!
3 comments:
What an epic game huh? Did you enjoy?
Yes! It didn't end till 3:30 AM, but it was worth it. That was an awesome game between two great teams. The final quarter was as intense as I've seen anywhere leading up to Chapman's goal. I was hoping for a St. Kilda win, but all credit to Geelong for pulling it out. Hopefully a classic like that will mean more footy on TV for us in the States in the future.
I agree, it was well worth staying up til 3:30. Funny that Chapman kicked the winning goal, because for some reason he's the first player that comes to mind when I think of Geelong's recent run. Wouldn't mind seeing a Grand Final rematch next year in better conditions. Thanks for checking us out! Hopefully we can pass along more about what a great game Aussie Rules is and it can get more tv time in the States once again.
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