The tackle!

Today we had a terrific time. Paladian and I went back to the oval where I played Aussie Rules football as a teenager, many years ago! The visit wasn't the reason for attending this game, as we had a dual purpose.

We had a great blipmeet with official team photographer Harley Hound, and Paladian and I practiced our sports action shots.

Mt. Barker is a large country town about 35 kms out of Adelaide. It was very cold but luckily it was fine and we had sun much of the time. If it had rained, we could have watched the game from the comfort of our car, which we parked on the edge of the oval.

Closer tackle.

The language of the losing coach was colourful to say the least. It all added to the excitement and colour of the day. My old team, the Barkeroos, is undefeated so far this season.

This photo is also for High Pike who I believe was quite a footballer in his time, in another code. However I am sure he will appreciate this tackle which is so typical of our Aussie Rules game - where the player can't be tackled above the shoulders without penalty.

For those of you outside Australia, Australian Rules Football originated in Melbourne in 1858. It has been played continuously in every state and territory of Australia since 1915.

It is particularly popular in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory where it is the most watched and most played sport. It represents Australian culture as a whole. This code of football, along with cricket, are Australia's most watched sports.

This is a closeup shot of the game in a one-on-one contest. Actually there are 36 players on the field at all times, being 18 from each team.
I put my wide-angle shot from this match in my Misc. blipfolio here.