Footy Stuff.....

So... I tend to use the term 'footy stuff' rather generically.....

As you may know (or may not know) I am not a born and bred Ausi.... so I had to learn about 'footy' stuff  ....

My introduction to Australia 11 years ago was in Victoria where 'Ausi rules' is a most important aspect of culture..... I just wasn't going to fit in anywhere unless I had a local team -  so I quickly decided I needed to support a team....... 

Not knowing anything about the game I obviously did a whole load of research and chose "Hawthorne" ... since at that time it was the team with a load of good looking young men....

 - I stated to my work colleagues "I root for Hawthorne" only to be taken aside gently and told that in Australia you don't 'root' the football team - your 'barrack' your team... rooting over here is entirely a different thing......

then I moved to South Australia only to be told it is quite acceptable to root the whole team.....

(no suitable picture found)

Most confusing... so I do understand that people may not understand when I refer to 'footy 

stuff"....

I did find a pictoral explanation (I always find it much easier to have pictures - don't you?)

Then we moved to Queensland where there is more of the rugby type of footy

- so again I had to unlearn and relearn - 

Picture highly beefed up blokes.....  loads of testosterone, hormones, steroids, protein drinks, and whatever else.....

even if I'm not a footy fan I can still have my favourites?

add extra shoulder padding, and tight shirts and pants.... so this part is quite fun to watch....

there are rituals

- no I don't know what they are trying to say here - 

then add a ball... not a round ball... an oval sortof ball....

and add sweat, and thumping, and rolling in the dirt ...........

there is a multiple of games that fit into my interpretation of 'footy stuff'.... for those who need finer definition... there is 

• AFL - or Ausi rules ( they cut their sleeves off and it really is quite complimentary)
• Football... or Soccer.... - this is a bit different.. they have round balls...
• Rugby League..... sort of football, sort of rugby 
• Rugby Union ... coming from Africa.. this is a real mans game.... (usually the players have fantastic legs and wear very short shorts... most complimentary)

.. and actually I played this game once....

 I have proof....front page of the national newspaper....

oh golly.... my legs were great in those days!

now can you see why I am obsessed with this game... it ruined my reputation for ever

It is also important to dress appropriately when supporting such sports

the more sillier you can look the more supportive you are.....

Personally I go for cricket.... also a ball sport.... but less beafed up - more the lean athletic types .... and they wear white..... VERY complimentary over tight butts...

I think you will agree.....

alright... just one more view.....

Ashes in on soon... we might need another post to explain the Ashes.. and cricket....

* disclaimer.... any genuine footy fans are requested not to take offense.. this is simply my view....

Righto, Gotto Go..... in true blue fashion I don't want to talk about last nights game!

after all this is a crafty blog......