Football Cliches

[kruddler]

Bob Murphy is on the wireless this morning and he just mentioned “running on top of the ground”.

He said that he doesn’t understand its etymology or meaning but, watching yesterday’s GF, the thought came to him that the Brisbane players were “running on top of the ground”!

Similar in swimming. "Swimming on top of the water."

I'm not sure of where its come from either, but it could be relatively simple.

Back in my cross country days, we used to run through all conditions. One day there was quite a bit of run and we were running through some pretty chopped up and muddy areas.
Those who were 'running on top of the ground' seemed to not sink in and get bogged down in the mud.
Those who were struggling where very much sinking in the mud and looked like they were in slow motion compared to the others.

Might be a throwback to similar muddy times back before grounds had better drainage and were mud pits.