Aussie’s obsession for their national sport, the Australian Football League (AFL) – also called Australian Rules Football or Aussie Rules – has been around for more than 150 years. And it shows no signs of fading away any time soon! In fact, if anything, the hype continues to build with each year!
Every year, from March to September, the Australians are treated with the AFL season as the crowds grow bigger, the TV promotions and sponsorships become more elaborative, and the multi-billion dollar industry becomes stronger than ever.
The game was founded in 1857 and is the only sport that is played in Australia. At first, it was a game to keep the cricketers fit in the off-season. It was known as the Victorian Football League at that time, where wealthy clubs bought their teams. The game soon spread across all other Australian states and emerged in its present-day position: an 18-team national competition.
Massive Crowd
Aussies collectively believe that the AFL is the most entertaining sport out there – not just in Australia, but in the entire world. One of the reasons they love it is due to the massive crowds it attracts. The AFL Grand Final audience is ranked as the fourth largest sports crowd in the world, and the largest in Australia. In 2017, the average game attendance of the AFL was 34,003 people. The numbers keep increasing as statistics show that 35% of the Australian population supports an AFL club.
Collective Passion
With such huge crowds supporting the AFL, there is no doubt that it brings people together and gives them a reason to celebrate a collective passion. The game goes way beyond cultural, ethnic, or geographical barriers as the best players are from a number of different communities.
It promotes positivity, sportsmanship, and generates a collective identity. Aussies love to enjoy the game with the utmost joy, competitive spirit, and passion along with their mates in a jam-packed stadium or at home on a weekend night. It brings them together and that’s why they are not letting go of the fever any soon!
Nation’s Pride
While every year the nail-biting matches and world-class athletes make history, it is no news that history has made this game into what it is today. It boasts 16 decades of tradition and history.
Year-Round Entertainment
With its intense games, last-second wins, competitive spirit, and media coverage, the AFL is a source of year-round entertainment for the Aussies. For the six months when there are no games in the stadiums, there are continuous events, shows, and activities which involve the AFL players. Fans love to participate in these events to stay updated on their favourite teams and players’ activities.
A large number of Aussies are also a part of bets on various platforms such as BlueBet Australia where they can bet on their favourite teams through an owned bookmaker. With their money, passion, and spirits invested, the AFL is more than just a game for Aussies – it’s a part of their lives and the love for it might never fade away!
Extraordinary Sportsmanship
The game also demonstrates some of the greatest athleticism and sportsmanship. The players of the AFL club prove to be the most talented and all-round athletes in the world. AFL also demonstrates great teamwork where we witness teams sticking together; both on-ground and off-ground.
Not just for the players and teams, but also for the fans, the sport is about support and great sportsmanship. Fans are seen loyally supporting their teams, wearing coloured jerseys, chanting slogans, and also changing their car number plates.
