Aussie Rules Football

While in Oz last week I went to a Brisbane Lions v. Geelong Cats game. They play a version of football that does not have pads or overhand passing. It was highly entertaining. In one sequence a man threw an elbow at another man's head then a third man was thrown in the air and met the goal post with his stomach as he flew parralel to the ground. The crowd yelled at the ref for calling a penalty and booed the man for not getting up quicker after catching a few ribs on the post. Everyone was drinking heavily (shocking as I was in Australia) and as soon as they found out we were American, they were buying us beers as well. We were in the Geelong section even though the game was in Brisbane. Geelong as far as I can tell is an imaginary place near Melbourne. Even though Brisbane beat the crap out of Geelong the Geelong supporters were still full of energy, waiving their pom poms, singing their songs and getting incredibly sloshed. I havent been to an American football game in a long time, really prefer just watching it on TV, but I think the Aussie game is much more entertaining to see in person. The players are all very athletic, but none of them are big muscular steroid type guys so that was a pleasant change. I couldnt relate to them since I am a beast, but I think most people can relate better to those tall lean guys then the thick men that play football here and rugby there.