My First AFL Game

On Saturday August 21st 2010, I attended my first AFL(Australian Football League) game between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs which was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Everyone was dressed in red and white and were cheering the whole game. It was awesome to see a professional sport in another country. What made it even better was, I did not know much about AFL previously, so it was a great learning experience. I believe that I learn by watching and seeing what goes on better when I am at the venue, rather than being taught the sport in a classroom. It was neat seeing the differences and similarities between sport and countries. For example the referee was wearing all yellow, where as most referees in America where black and white stripes. Another difference was that there was no netting behind the field goal posts, and the fans have to throw the ball back, in America they put up a net when a player is about to kick the football in the NFL because they know they will not get the ball back from the fans. Personally I think Australia makes more sense in these two categories. Yellow stick out to a player way more than black and white strips. And I think the netting interrupts the fan's view.
All in all it was a great time at the Cricket Ground. I really enjoyed the atomsphere and learning about this great fast pace game. Their were many similarities, and some difference between the AFL game and American Football in America. I thought the ending was the best. After the contest ended, with the Swans prevailing: 114-70. Everyone in the stadium starting singing a song. That truly was remarkable, a song devoted to the Swans winning a game. I wish I knew it, but I really thought that was great.