Well, I’m back in the land of the living today. Survived another stralya day. Ozzie rules for me but I’ve lost touch with it over the last few years and I’ve no idea how the bombers have fared in the premiership. Very few but simple rules, none of this off side crap. Eighteen per side, their full backs play against our forwards etc all over the pitch. Disputes are settled by the umpire bouncing the ball and one big guy (ruck man) from each team tries to tap it towards his fastestlittlefella (ruck rover) . No throwing the ball, no running with the ball, no pushing in the back and no tackling above the neck, that’s mostly it. Any player kicks the ball, if another player catches it cleanly, it’s considered a ‘mark’ and that player can either play on or take it as a free kick. Scoring is slightly more tricky but not too much. Through the two big sticks on the full and that’s a goal worth six points sometimes known as behinds, missing the big sticks but through the sticks to the side is one point or a behind, so the score is made up of how many goals (x6) added to how many behinds giving a total number of points. Might have changed a bit but I’m guessing not to much, simplicity is part of their culture . Until very recently, most immigrants were made more than welcome so long as they didn’t winge and so long as they tried to fit in, I’ve heard it’s a tad different nowadays. Take care Don. Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,, not long till Moomba!!!
