Hey everyone

[Pominoz]

I have taken my 9 year old step daughter to few games however shes a girly girl and enjoys it but not every week my 3 year odl n 2 year old are boys so fingers crossed he does love watching it but wont sit still for 2 hours

[PaulP]

I do apologise  i didnt mean that as harsh as it came out! When in uk we used to get tickets in the members bar and the atmosphere was dead

As i was younger i used to tip the beer into a plastic cup and make my way to the snoking area just so i could here the crowd

Im sure here though in aus most people are more sporting educated so it would be a good craic

I have to say when i went to see us vs the pies the collingwood fans were good for banter was weird for an englishman to be wearing his team colours talking to someone in another teams colours and not waiting for him to suddenly throw a punch

There will always be a few ferals around, and there will always be fans of team x who swear black and blue that fans of team y are evil, scum, etc., but most footy fans are ok.

[Pominoz]

There will always be a few ferals around, and there will always be fans of team x who swear black and blue that fans of team y are evil, scum, etc., but most footy fans are ok.

Totally agree mate, however in footy i have to say rival fans are pretty good,  maybe im getting old but i enjoy going to a game supporting my team having a few quiet ones and chatting rubbish not pretending im part of an ancient tribe so its nice

However i do enjoy opening my mouth and people being shocked a pom likes the game and follows a team hahahaa but like i say its like rugby league i grew up with on steroids fast big hits great high marks whats not to love

[malo]

I have to say when i went to see us vs the pies the collingwood fans were good for banter was weird for an englishman to be wearing his team colours talking to someone in another teams colours and not waiting for him to suddenly throw a punch

Mate, that's the great thing about this game....although there seem to be a few more unsociable individuals/groups going around than there used to be I think.  For the most part, supporters of both teams can gather in the same pub before the match, sit side by side during the match & have a beer together in the same pub after the match without any drama other than good natured ribbing.

[Pominoz]

Greatest game on earth since the mid 90s when they started penalizing players for tackles and scuffles in league ive missed that then afl was here big hits mark its got everything now i get why australians find soccer boring i dont miss 90mins in the rain for no goals im a true convert

[blueycarlton]

Pominoz
Our crowds are much different to soccer crowds, less singing because there is always action on the arena, and around 50% are women.
In the old days 1960's, 70's, 80's I stood on the outer terraces at most of the old Melbourne grounds and never was involved in a fight. There has never been segregation of the fans as in soccer. Even though in those days people bought in their own copious amounts of alcohol, the banter between the fans was great. There was an occasional scuffle.

I think it is the nature of a game which is high scoring, something is always happening on the ground, a mistake by the umpire does not necessarily alter the games result unless it is in the dying seconds of a match. After the game barrackers of both sides still mingle in the pubs or walking to the tram and railway station.

Welcome to a great football tradition that has been going on in this city of Melbourne since 1858, and the Carlton club since 1864. By the way, the world's oldest professional club that has played every season since.

I remember going to Arsenal in London in the early 70's and it was like a war zone from the railway station to the ground. Every shop and house window was boarded up, cops everywhere, you would have to walk in file on the footpath and would be arrested if you stepped off onto the road!
It was not a very pleasant experience.

[PaulP]

blueycarlton, thanks for posting. I enjoyed reading that.