Full Version: The Official AFL Thread
Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums > Other > General Off-Topic Discussion > Hobbies & Interests
Hhhmmmm, Ive only ever had AFL games on the computer but ususally they are pretty cheap on ps2 so I might get this, it doesn`t look bad, I can lead St.Kilda to premiership glory once and for all!
I enjoyed playing the last one, but it was very unrealistic. On hard I could win by over 200 points in every match, and kick fewer then 10 behinds generally..... I beleive they are fixing that though...
Well it starts tonight (the preseason cup anyway) and Im looking forward to it. Its important to watch these matches for individual player improvements, and to value the new recruits, more then to see your side win.... Collingwood will lose tonight, but I will enjoy watching just the same.
Well the first week of the preseason went off pretty well.....
I feel sorry for J.Schultz of richmond, breaking his leg so he'll miss the next 10 weeks or so.....
I dont feel sorry for Byron Pickett though, it couldnt happen to a nicer bloke
I feel sorry for J.Schultz of richmond, breaking his leg so he'll miss the next 10 weeks or so.....
I dont feel sorry for Byron Pickett though, it couldnt happen to a nicer bloke
^lol, true.
St.Kilda should be able to hold off the dogs especially with a few more of our key players returning, although Penny`s absence will be noticed but I`m sure we can cope!
Collingwood will have a tough asignment over in Perth though!
St.Kilda should be able to hold off the dogs especially with a few more of our key players returning, although Penny`s absence will be noticed but I`m sure we can cope!
Collingwood will have a tough asignment over in Perth though!
Not in perth, its in Darwin of all palces...so its even worse for us....
I dont expect us to win this week...... But I still ma looking forward to saturday night
I dont expect us to win this week...... But I still ma looking forward to saturday night
QUOTE
The league hopes New Zealand can become a land of the long, white Australian football goal posts.
The AFL's focus on expansion has shifted to New Zealand, with community camps to be held there next year, as well as a Wizard Cup game, probably between Geelong and Melbourne.
The two clubs have been sounded out about the idea, with the Cats particularly keen as the club is popular among the burgeoning Auskick centres in NZ.
Positive strides have been made in converting predominantly expatriate playing stocks to a 50-50 split with local players.
Last year, the AFL appointed former St Kilda player Rob Malone as general manager of the NZAFL, one of five full-time staff, including three development officers.
advertisement
advertisement
Malone found a market, if not quite ripe, certainly revealing buds of fruit. For instance, Friday night football is somewhat of a hit, albeit on Saturday mornings when it appears on NZ television screens.
The main success has been exposing 15,000 Kiwi schoolchildren to the game in the past year. Auskick centres and structured competitions for 13 to 18-year-olds are in place in four regions - Waikato, Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury - aided by $150,000 of AFL funds.
"We need to be realistic and understand that Kiwis have not grown up with the game and it will take time," Malone said. "(But) for AFL to be considered the No. 1 alternative winter sport in NZ outside of rugby and netball in the future is not out of the question."
Malone is putting the finishing touches on his proposal to get the camps and pre-season match and while the top brass at the AFL will have the final say, Malone says it could be the first step towards playing a home-and-away match overseas.
"(A pre-season match) is quite realistic as it is only a three-and-a-half hour trip from Melbourne to Auckland or Wellington - AFL teams are currently travelling from Melbourne to Darwin and so on," he said. "Regarding future official matches, I would think the AFL would like to see more growth in the game, raw numbers. However, I think it certainly could work."
The raw numbers of players Malone refers to are stark - there are only 800 registered senior players - but he said moves to convert school players into weekend participants in a rugby union stronghold was where the battle was being fought.
"It is certainly a different environment than growing up with the code in Australia," Malone said. "The Kiwis love any type of ball sports and as there are certain similarities with rugby, they enjoy it. They certainly enjoy the physical side of the game, particularly the Samoan and Maori players.
"The 360-degree-nature of AFL also appeals to the Kiwis, with no knock-on or forward pass rules as such."
AFL football has strong historical links with NZ dating back to the 1890s, when former VFA and VFL players headed across the Tasman in search of work.
A local league boomed so much that in 1901, there were 115 teams and NZ competed in the 1908 Jubilee Australasian Carnival at the MCG, beating NSW and Queensland. But the interest all but disappeared until it was revived in the 1970s.
The AFL then got involved, scheduling an Ansett Cup match between Melbourne and Sydney at the Basin Reserve in 1998 followed by two more games in Wellington in 2000 and 2001.
Despite last week's glowing annual report, AFL Commission chairman Ron Evans said he wanted the game to grow faster. He cited south-east Queensland and western Sydney as the boom areas but the shift further east won't be easily dismissed.
The NZ investment is due to be reviewed next year.
The AFL's focus on expansion has shifted to New Zealand, with community camps to be held there next year, as well as a Wizard Cup game, probably between Geelong and Melbourne.
The two clubs have been sounded out about the idea, with the Cats particularly keen as the club is popular among the burgeoning Auskick centres in NZ.
Positive strides have been made in converting predominantly expatriate playing stocks to a 50-50 split with local players.
Last year, the AFL appointed former St Kilda player Rob Malone as general manager of the NZAFL, one of five full-time staff, including three development officers.
advertisement
advertisement
Malone found a market, if not quite ripe, certainly revealing buds of fruit. For instance, Friday night football is somewhat of a hit, albeit on Saturday mornings when it appears on NZ television screens.
The main success has been exposing 15,000 Kiwi schoolchildren to the game in the past year. Auskick centres and structured competitions for 13 to 18-year-olds are in place in four regions - Waikato, Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury - aided by $150,000 of AFL funds.
"We need to be realistic and understand that Kiwis have not grown up with the game and it will take time," Malone said. "(But) for AFL to be considered the No. 1 alternative winter sport in NZ outside of rugby and netball in the future is not out of the question."
Malone is putting the finishing touches on his proposal to get the camps and pre-season match and while the top brass at the AFL will have the final say, Malone says it could be the first step towards playing a home-and-away match overseas.
"(A pre-season match) is quite realistic as it is only a three-and-a-half hour trip from Melbourne to Auckland or Wellington - AFL teams are currently travelling from Melbourne to Darwin and so on," he said. "Regarding future official matches, I would think the AFL would like to see more growth in the game, raw numbers. However, I think it certainly could work."
The raw numbers of players Malone refers to are stark - there are only 800 registered senior players - but he said moves to convert school players into weekend participants in a rugby union stronghold was where the battle was being fought.
"It is certainly a different environment than growing up with the code in Australia," Malone said. "The Kiwis love any type of ball sports and as there are certain similarities with rugby, they enjoy it. They certainly enjoy the physical side of the game, particularly the Samoan and Maori players.
"The 360-degree-nature of AFL also appeals to the Kiwis, with no knock-on or forward pass rules as such."
AFL football has strong historical links with NZ dating back to the 1890s, when former VFA and VFL players headed across the Tasman in search of work.
A local league boomed so much that in 1901, there were 115 teams and NZ competed in the 1908 Jubilee Australasian Carnival at the MCG, beating NSW and Queensland. But the interest all but disappeared until it was revived in the 1970s.
The AFL then got involved, scheduling an Ansett Cup match between Melbourne and Sydney at the Basin Reserve in 1998 followed by two more games in Wellington in 2000 and 2001.
Despite last week's glowing annual report, AFL Commission chairman Ron Evans said he wanted the game to grow faster. He cited south-east Queensland and western Sydney as the boom areas but the shift further east won't be easily dismissed.
The NZ investment is due to be reviewed next year.
Well it does make sense to try and expand into New Zealand, they are so very close and have a sporting culture not too mention a great rivalry with us, but AFL will always be ruled by aussies!
....Max Hugdeton (I cant spell it).... deserve a medal...that, or the stretcher named after him.....
^He does indeed, he has always been willing to go after the ball no matter what and he certainly proved his commitment last night, too bad we lost as well. Lets hope he isn`t hurt too badly and is ready for round 1 and a victory in his honour against the Lions!
I would think he'll be ok, unless he really is that unlucky....
it was a horrible moment, but one he should rever from easily in a couple of weeks....
it was a horrible moment, but one he should rever from easily in a couple of weeks....
Medical experts believe he will be fine and should be out there for round 1 and knowing him he certainly will be giving it his all once again!
The pre-season has certainly been great for some of last years struggling teams like the bulldogs, kangaroos and carlton, hopefully this will give them the confidence and belief to really take it to the rest of the league this year. Lets just not tell them that the big teams were only playing at half capacity!
The pre-season has certainly been great for some of last years struggling teams like the bulldogs, kangaroos and carlton, hopefully this will give them the confidence and belief to really take it to the rest of the league this year. Lets just not tell them that the big teams were only playing at half capacity!
I did find it kinda funny that the commentators the other night were telling us that the Preseason comp is now a definate gauge of where you club is at......
And we quickly lost Pot, Bris, St Kilda, Geel......
The struggling clubs have something to prove, and will fall away once the season hits.....
And we quickly lost Pot, Bris, St Kilda, Geel......
The struggling clubs have something to prove, and will fall away once the season hits.....
Maybe, but I do believe that the blues and bulldogs will do much better this season. There needs to be a resurgence of victorian teams finding success after the last few years!
Well Carlton might, but the Bulldogs don't have to improve much to be better...what were they last year? 3rd last I think.....
Competitive would be an up for them...lol
Competitive would be an up for them...lol
The bulldogs have always had an ok team that should have finished higher than they seem to do, but it should be easier for them to improve this year!
This year its pretty obvious that teh bombers will fall down the ladder and hopefully it will be one of the other victorian teams taking their place!
This year its pretty obvious that teh bombers will fall down the ladder and hopefully it will be one of the other victorian teams taking their place!
I wouldn't count essendon out just yet..... They have always had a tendency to have crap preseasons (except 2000)......
THey still have Lloyd, and if he remains fit they will be running for a finals spot
THey still have Lloyd, and if he remains fit they will be running for a finals spot
^Most likely 7th or 8th though, I doubt they could get any higher. Although Brisbane will probably drop down a place or two this year, they just don`t seem as invincible or powerful as they once were!
I agree, I do expect them to be less of a threat, and West Coast to be more of one....
But injuries can happen at any time, so anything could happen.....
If collingwood ever get there damn tam on the park, then Im sure they can press...and once they get into finals they are a different team....
But injuries can happen at any time, so anything could happen.....
If collingwood ever get there damn tam on the park, then Im sure they can press...and once they get into finals they are a different team....
Yeah, they always seem to produce their best footy in the finals, too bad, it never matched the lions those two years in a row!
I really want to see Fremantle make the finals this year, they were so very very close last year but fell away at the end, they have an impressive team that if they hold it together should easily make the finals this year!
I really want to see Fremantle make the finals this year, they were so very very close last year but fell away at the end, they have an impressive team that if they hold it together should easily make the finals this year!
Collingwood up until last years grand final was the only team to beat Brisban in a final since 2001..... 
Thats why the 2003 grand final hurt so much, watching them fall apart..... But the 2002 grand final was one of the best finals at least in the last 20 years..... so at least I still have that......
I want fremantle to give collingwood matthew pavlich...... He is one of my favourite players in the league...... (others other then collingwood players being Judd, Riewoldt, Paul Williams)
Thats why the 2003 grand final hurt so much, watching them fall apart..... But the 2002 grand final was one of the best finals at least in the last 20 years..... so at least I still have that......I want fremantle to give collingwood matthew pavlich...... He is one of my favourite players in the league...... (others other then collingwood players being Judd, Riewoldt, Paul Williams)
Ah yes, I remember that final and hoping that brisbane would next knocked out but they still managed to make it and then win!
St.kilda is very lucky we are going place otherwise it would be quite hard to hang onto players liek Reiwoldt, Kossi, Dal Santo etc..... We just have to keep winning to hang onto to them!
St.kilda is very lucky we are going place otherwise it would be quite hard to hang onto players liek Reiwoldt, Kossi, Dal Santo etc..... We just have to keep winning to hang onto to them!
You will alwyas lose a few players, unless your brisbane, its just having good depth to cope with loss.... Something collingwood didnt have to cover the loss of Scotland, Davis and a few others....
True true, but hopefully all our young talented players will want to stick around for a shot at premiership glory with the club they started at, we are doing well and have a shot, leaving now for money would be unbelivable, but the charcters of these players suggest they will stay around for a while longer.
Its not so much the ones in the team that you need worry about, its the fringe players just out of the team which give a club depth. Collingwood lost players, not for money, but for the fact some players didn't think they would get into the team on a regular basis and wanted to go elsewhere.....
When your club gets struck down with injuries, like last year for us.... It becomes a big factor.
When your club gets struck down with injuries, like last year for us.... It becomes a big factor.
Now that the only teams left in the wizard cup are the under achievers of last year, it is the perfect time for them to impress and get some real preparation for the normal season. They all seem to have recovered form and I hope they can use this to propel themselves to better performances this year,especially the bulldogs!
Hopefully, but I wouldn't count any chickens as of yet.....
North I expect to struggle, BUlldogs will probably get a little better then last year...... Carlton...well they could do something good this year.....
North I expect to struggle, BUlldogs will probably get a little better then last year...... Carlton...well they could do something good this year.....
Well they should all improve a little at least over the course of this season, but the only team that could threaten for a top eight finish would probably still be North but Carlton dont look too bad.
I expect Carlton to finish higher then North.....
North have a couple of good kids, but not good enough to carry them through the season......
Carlton on the other hand have a much better mix, and if whitnell plays well with fevola....It should be a good year for them.
North have a couple of good kids, but not good enough to carry them through the season......
Carlton on the other hand have a much better mix, and if whitnell plays well with fevola....It should be a good year for them.
Well Carlton certainly proved themselves last night and with the final being played down here, they have a damn good chance although west coast in my opinion is still a far better team!
Well, west coast has the best (my opinion) midfield in the competition......
Judd, Cousins, Fletcher, Kerr...... Its awesome....
The weak spots forthem are in defense, and attack.....
Carlton on the other hand seem to have a good balance for the moment, yet none of there lines stand out. It should make for a good final.
Judd, Cousins, Fletcher, Kerr...... Its awesome....
The weak spots forthem are in defense, and attack.....
Carlton on the other hand seem to have a good balance for the moment, yet none of there lines stand out. It should make for a good final.
Hopefully playing down in melbourne wont affect west coast too much, whenever we play them down here we win quite comfortable most times. Their talent shoudl overcome this and Carlton still have a little way too go before they are serious contenders again.
I dont think that West Coast are serious contenders.....
They have too many deficiencies to be a real premiership contender, unless they have drastic improvement in their forwards and backmen.....
Carlton may not be a chance for the premiership yet, however I do think they will trouble a lot of sides throughout the year, but they will remain inconsistant.
They have too many deficiencies to be a real premiership contender, unless they have drastic improvement in their forwards and backmen.....
Carlton may not be a chance for the premiership yet, however I do think they will trouble a lot of sides throughout the year, but they will remain inconsistant.
Knowing St.kilda, we will probably struggle against them most of the match giving all the supportes heart attacks and then scrap through for a win. Yet we may come out and thrash one of the top teams, its so damn frustrating.
West Coast have been consistently good but they just haven`t been able to go that next step!
West Coast have been consistently good but they just haven`t been able to go that next step!
The problem with West Coast is they have been consistantly good, however they have not improved in the areas they desperately need it.... and I beleive they are still a couple of years away from being a realistic chance....
That being said they could make the top 4....
That being said they could make the top 4....
Yeah, but irs better to be consistently better than having bursts of amazing form for a little while and than falling away for awhile like st.kilda seem to do, we have a few great years fall away then come back.
Its amazing how many times we have been in a position to win the flag and yet fail to capialise on it!
Its amazing how many times we have been in a position to win the flag and yet fail to capialise on it!
Your telling this....to a collingwood supporter? 
^Lmao, well in recent time that is indeed true.
Collingwood have been in the afl grand final around 37ish times.... in just over 100 years....
Collingwood have therefore been in 1/3 of all the grand finals played.... and yet have only won 15.....
Collingwood is the king of runner up...
Collingwood have therefore been in 1/3 of all the grand finals played.... and yet have only won 15.....
Collingwood is the king of runner up...
St.kilda is the king of wooden spoons by a long long mile.
yup... around 27 - 28 from memory.....
The next closest team have less than 20 as well I think. Well at least we can make a lot of soup!
...Or have a good bonfire....
Wouldnt it be ironic, if all St Kilda needed was a knife
Wouldnt it be ironic, if all St Kilda needed was a knife
^Lol, indeed.
It will be very interesting to see these new advanced jumpers eddie had developed for collingwood players to use. Figure hugging and slippery so you cant grab onto them, seems like a pretty big advantage, but they first have to be approved and all the other teams besides Carlton who have no money will be having their own versions created!
It will be very interesting to see these new advanced jumpers eddie had developed for collingwood players to use. Figure hugging and slippery so you cant grab onto them, seems like a pretty big advantage, but they first have to be approved and all the other teams besides Carlton who have no money will be having their own versions created!
Lets not give them to Brisbane and Port...they dont deserve them...lol
^Only teams who haven`t won a premiership in awhiel should be allowed them like St.kilda for instance who managed to defeat the Kangaroos last night with only 1/3 of their team in while Kangaroos nearly had a full strength team!
C`mon Sainters!!!!!!!!!!!!!
C`mon Sainters!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well...tonight West Coast showed me the same thing I was saying...They have a great midfield, but fall down at either end....
I missed the match, I was at work, but West Coast did fight back and level the scores near the end, yet Carlton were too good. If we go by past performances of Wizard cup winners, then carlton have a great shot at making the finals this year. Heres hoping another Victorian team can do it!
Hopefuly your right, although being a collingwood supporter Im not their biggest fan... but anything is better then these interstate teams getting in.....
I like that team what wears the green pants... 
sorry, I seem to have stepped into the wrong thread...
sorry, I seem to have stepped into the wrong thread...
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.