Expansion AFL on ESPN

[Father Jack]

Bit of fun...



BT...

You get a bonus like for using a line from Father Ted

 

[FootyJunkie]

Go Collingworth

Collingworthorn

 

[Stevi_Tigers]

Love the bit about not knowing the rules when the NFL has the most stupid ones known to man. "Hawks kick it into the end zone"

 

[BigRough]

Their tiny hands couldn't handle our game, it's why NFL is played with Auskick balls.

 

[Weagleman]

It's easy to parody a game you've never watched or don't understand, However NFL is so slow it's painful to watch.

 

[Yellow Feathers]

I saw the video this morning - I don't think they were taking the piss out of our game. I mean, they selected two brilliant feats of athleticism.

If they wanted to make fun of our sport they could have played two minutes of Brisbane v Fremantle in the wet from last weekend.

To any American watching that on ESPN they would be impressed, surely.

 

[Lensen]

i can't believe how much negativity i've seen toward this, a little bit here but moreso on facebook etc

clearly an absolutely amazing take on the game, and clearly the piss is being taken in an endearing, "i don't know what this is but i love it" kind of way rather than anything being critical of what is going on

if you can't find joy in this video i feel very very sorry for you

 

[specq]

oh yes, I remember the 80's and ESPN coverage well. I was dangerously close to becoming a Carlton supporter just because of Bruce Doull.

Dunstall converted me...

 

[dazbroncos]

Funny as ESPN dumped coverage of AFL about 4 years ago.

Fox ( US) picked it up and now its buried on Fox Soccer Channel ( which is a premium PPV channel @ 15/month)

You get 3-4 live games a week and replays adhoc thru their schedule.

You'd be surprised at the number of people who used to actually watch the games on EPSN as it was far more widely available.

Now, its only the die hard expats ( me) and those that are really looking for it that see it.

Generating interest over here is a MASSIVE up hill battle until it gets some more mainstream coverage.

GO Catters

 

[Superstar swan]

I think the game could be popular in the states if the afl and u.s broadcasters marketed it correctly. Our game is unique and is like no other and think sports fans would be at least curious around the globe. The afl no doubt wants to expand and gain serious coverage in the states , with their u.s combines...however if they want to be taken seriously , they should start by ridding the game of buffoons like bt.

Watch the video again and try lool at it through the perspective of someone who has never seen the game before....lindsay thomas grab was sensational and you would not see anything like it in any other game in the world. It would certainly spark my interest

 

[MarcusP2]

"Nathan Fry"

'A commanding lead' 21-3.

 

[Magma]

THEY DONT NEED NO PADS

 

[Brian Schmutt]

And they "get it" too about the importance and majesty of our umpires.

I really hope Cambo takes seriously my submission about introducing flag throwing in our game.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

Funny as ESPN dumped coverage of AFL about 4 years ago.

Fox ( US) picked it up and now its buried on Fox Soccer Channel ( which is a premium PPV channel @ 15/month)

You get 3-4 live games a week and replays adhoc thru their schedule.

You'd be surprised at the number of people who used to actually watch the games on EPSN as it was far more widely available.

Now, its only the die hard expats ( me) and those that are really looking for it that see it.

Generating interest over here is a MASSIVE up hill battle until it gets some more mainstream coverage.

GO Catters

pardon the random question, but why is your name in a light blue sort of colour? I thought that was reserved for Admins/Mods?

 

[dazbroncos]

pardon the random question, but why is your name in a light blue sort of colour? I thought that was reserved for Admins/Mods?

It is.
You answered your own question!

Go Catters

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

It is.
You answered your own question!

Go Catters

Doesn't it usually say "Moderator" underneath the name though?

 

[dazbroncos]

Doesn't it usually say "Moderator" underneath the name though?

I believe so unless you have a custom title in your avatar.

Mine is currently custom but the light blue is for a Spec Mod. Once off the training wheels it goes dark blue like the rest.

GO Catters

 

[askdotcom]

Yeah, just for the shits and giggles. The Yanks love to take the piss out of sports that aren't their's. Remember what they did to soccer:

you devil you.

 

[Lensen]

look what you caused
View attachment 150809

Caused?
Roddrummer with a Hawthorn av, poster was Roddy a Hawthorn fan - embarrassing

 

[Damon_3388]

That's what I meant, I reckon aussie rules could become really popular in the US as a niche spectator sport.

I don't see how it's any less exciting or less viable from a viewership perspective than, say, lacrosse or ten pin bowling, and that gets solid coverage on ESPN and has done for a while. Surely would pique the curiosity of a few if given more regular exposure.

 

[askdotcom]

Caused?
Roddrummer with a Hawthorn av, poster was Roddy a Hawthorn fan - embarrassing

ahh went through every other hawthorn poster in the thread except him.

 

[dazbroncos]

I don't see how it's any less exciting or less viable from a viewership perspective than, say, lacrosse or ten pin bowling, and that gets solid coverage on ESPN and has done for a while. Surely would pique the curiosity of a few if given more regular exposure.

Its been grabbed by Rupert. Gone and buried.

ESPN has wider reach but the AFL took the $$.

Go Catters

 

[bkozican]

"Nathan Fry"

Look at the people in the end zone hahahahaa

 

[Damon_3388]

I feel like hearing the combination of puzzlement and wonder from Americans could serve to remind some of the jaded fans among us just how great and unique our sport really is.

 

[Goosecat]

i can't believe how much negativity i've seen toward this, a little bit here but moreso on facebook etc

clearly an absolutely amazing take on the game, and clearly the piss is being taken in an endearing, "i don't know what this is but i love it" kind of way rather than anything being critical of what is going on

if you can't find joy in this video i feel very very sorry for you

I thought it was well done and bloody funny so I guess that puts me in the funny corner.
On the other side I tend to pick up on little things sometimes. Like the comments that ESPN used to beam coverage of AFL into American homes for hours at a time. Only to be followed by the comment, yeah "I liked it but could never understand the rules". Unfortunately that applies as much now as ever.
Imagine the earnings that could have been earned and would be getting earned if the American public had understood it and that coverage continued today.

As it stands even the umpires coach gets on TV stating some decisions are debateable, in the grey area and could go either way.
The umpires can't even be sure of the rules for crying out loud.

Until that is addressed, Aussie Rules will never be a serious consideration by a viewing public outside of Australia, it's that simple.
It's impossible for them to get it when half the time umpires who oversee the rules themselves and the Aussie public who grew up on it aren't sure.
Without understandable and consistent rules that a public can learn and be sure about each game, it will forever be termed a "novelty" only Aussies could possibly get,("that's not a knife matey", chuckle, chuckle.)
That makes me a little sad.

Still, "Grid Iron" /NFL does pretty well without much acceptance around the world, so maybe it should be a case of.
"Who cares, it's their loss".