There aren’t many things that polarise sports fans as much as the battle between codes – it’s the type of debate that could make your tiny little grandma sharpen her false teeth and lay down the law. The passions are high and the ramifications? Well, let’s just say many a family barbecue has copped an awkward pause as the weird cousin that nobody really understands perks up with a bold declaration.
And with both the AFL and NRL grand finals this weekend, it’s about time you get across this. It’s the West Coast Eagles vs. Collingwood Magpies in the AFL and Melbourne Storm vs. Sydney Roosters for NRL – so which game will you be watching?
If you’re a total footy newcomer (oh honey, where have you been?), you’re gonna wanna figure out quick smart where you sit on this, the big debate. We consulted two footy-mad folk in the office to educate us on all things NRL v AFL, because we’d like to avoid any coleslaw going flying as someone indignantly demonstrates the proper way to pass a Sherrin to you at the next family dinner.
The atmosphere.
We’re talking soaring flames and team colours smeared on the faces of children. There are very few people as passionate as an NRL fan whose entire family has supported the same team for generations.
Go sit in Souths Corner for a game and dare tell us these folk don’t have a serious talent for building hype and tension, especially after a cheeky half-time snack break. And don’t even get us started on State of Origin – the hype is real.
But we had to literally check that NRL teams even have club songs, that’s how much of a non-event they are in league. In AFL on the other hand, they are a storied tradition – played at the ground as each team runs out ahead of the first bounce, played when the team is victorious for all the fans in the stands to sing and then shouted uproariously in the sheds by the winning boys with absolutely no tone or melody whatsoever. It’s a beautiful, often deafening thing.
The scoring system.
It takes skill to boot a Sherrin through the two big sticks, especially on crazy angles or in gravity-defying displays of over-the-shoulder bicycle kick greatness. In NRL, some would say all they do is throw themselves onto the ground on top of a ball while Ray Warren shouts “It’s a troooiiyyy”.
Six points for a goal in the middle, one point for a behind through the side posts. The point tallies are higher, so games with points in the hundreds aren’t uncommon.
However there’s something pretty magical about the anticipation of seeing that big screen swirl around before deciding if an NRL play has been given TRY or NO TRY. People are hanging off the edge of their seats, jaws on the floor.
There’s still plenty of kicking going on, and some bold fans even go so far as to remind you that NRL players don’t have to rely on “you tried” single points to get ahead – you score or you don’t. Pressure’s on.
The pace.
Sure, some will call the game scrappy, and in recent years the AFL field has become a lot more congested around the ball. But what we like about it is how the flow of play can change at any moment. One second Team A has it and are moving at lightning speed down the field, then BAM! Team B has pulled off a spectacular intercept mark and now those blokes are tearing off towards their goal square.
But the action is more concentrated in NRL, making it a more enjoyable game for newcomers to watch. Plus it’s far easier as a total newbie to keep track of everything that’s going on when you’re watching on TV, cause AFL has more off-the-ball play.
No need to complicate things with NRL. Team A has the ball and has six attempts to make it to the other end of the field for a try, while Team B attempt to tackle them into oblivion. Aaand swap.
So if you’re sitting at home in charge of the remote while sitting besides a fan of a different code, stuck in the fresh hell that is flicking through channels to watch two games at once, the pressure is on and there’s nothing to prevent you from copping a sneaky side-eye from your mates when you linger on the one game for too long.
But if you’re still not sure whether you’re a deadset NRL supporter or an AFL fan to the bone, just chuck on a multi with Ladbrokes* and you can basically support both. Who said sitting on the fence was such a terrible thing anyway?
So go on – sort it out in the Facebook comments, pals.
*Is gambling a problem for you? Call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.o
