I went to my first footy game today. Footy is Australian Rules Football. If you know me at all, you know you should definitely not rely on me to explain the intricacies of any sporting event. However, you CAN rely on me to describe banners, pom poms, fashion, surprise guests on the field, and the total disregard for timed quarters.
First, I should tell you that I truly enjoyed watching the footy game, which came as a little bit of a shock to me. It was a really good game between the Western Bulldogs (who happen to be from Footscray, where I had my training earlier this week) and Port Adelaide. It was amazing to watch because there would be a 20 point spread between teams, and all of sudden, the other team would gain a few point lead. The game moved constantly with no stopping of the clock - ever. The 25 minute quarters last an indeterminate amount of time beyond the 25 minutes based on time the ball is out of play following a goal. In the fourth quarter, there were heaps of goals, and the game therefore lasted 7 or 8 minutes longer, which was an incredibly exciting end to the game. The score went from 95-68 to 114-111 to 133-113 in a matter of minutes, with the Western Bulldogs ultimately claiming victory. Yay!
Footy fans faithfully prepare huge banners, through which the team runs onto the field for warm up prior to the game start. Loyal team supporters were staked behind the goal posts at each end of the field. When their team scored, they would loft massive pom poms up and down (probably 4' long ribbons attached to broom handles). If the opposing team was attempting to kick a goal, they would use the poms poms for distraction. Other fans sported jackets, jerseys, or primarily striped scarfs with team colors. Notice the skimpy footy uniforms, compared to NFL padding and helmets? They still tackle, and I'm told the game only stops if a stretcher is brought onto the field. It's amazing the randoms they allow on the field during game play. Runners are permitted to deliver messages to players from the coaches while the game is in play. Waterboys also bring water bottles onto the field for players further from the action.
This game was played at the Telstra Dome, which has a retractable roof (closed today). The other stadium, the MCG, is open air. I was very thankful to be at Telstra today since it was raining and cold (8 degrees Celsius outside, and a whopping 14 C inside). The field seemed HUGE - not only longer than a normal football field, but also much wider due to the oval shaped field also used for cricket.
Casey and I were frozen by the time the game ended, and walked around the Crown Casino to warm up. We had dinner at a restaurant among the slot machines and table games, then saw "Oceans 13". I had some kind of mexicana pizza with guacamole on it, which was surprisingly good. The casino has a gold club movie theater with luxury seating and food and beverages served during the movie. Sounded like an upscale version of Austin's Alamo Drafthouse, but the $37 price seems a little too lofty.
