Melbourne is often renowned as the sporting capital of the world and plays host to many major international sporting events. But it’s Australia’s own code that captures the heart of the city like no other.
The Australian Football League (AFL) season kicked off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a blockbuster game between the Blues and the Tigers on Thursday night. After a longer than usual pre-season, due to the Cricket World Cup, and with the Essendon supplements scandal put to bed (for now pending a possible ASADA appeal) the footy is back and we couldn’t be happier!
Football is a sport that brings Melbourne to life. Fans dressed in their team’s attire paint the streets with colour as crowds stream into the MCG and Etihad Stadium from all corners of the city. Punters enjoy friendly banter as fierce rivalries are tested each weekend and voices are lost with every cheer of joy or cry of despair. Footy isn’t even put to rest during the week with the likes of tipping competitions and fantasy teams dominating office conversations.
This season is shaping up to be a tight one as Hawthorn look to claim their third Premiership in a row. The experts are predicting the top of the ladder to be as even as ever with the likes of the Hawks, Sydney, Port Adelaide, Fremantle and North Melbourne all vying for a top four spot. So expect plenty of thrilling contents and close encounters as the fixture unfolds with September finals in mind.
The AFL season spans across 23 weeks so there’s plenty of time to get your footy fix. If you’re like me and fall into the category of hardcore supporter then I’m sure you’ve already got your team’s games penned into your diary. If you’re more of an armchair supporter or haven’t watched much footy at all than all I can say is you’re definitely missing out! Get along to a game at the G’, you’ll love it.
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