Footy v Soccer

[JK]

They are both great games .. I don't think soccer is a tough sport but I certainly think it's highly skilled.

As for the diving, cheating, feigning injury etc yeah that's my biggest grievance with the game .. But it's not too dissimilar to watching Aussie rules blokes stuffing the ball under an opponent and getting him HTB, or dropping to their knee's in a tackle

CP, I actually am one to disagree that it's a highly skilled game. Blatant misses from close range, blasts that go over the bar, or wide of the goals, when no pressure is applied.... I really don't think it's as highly skilled as everyone talks.

Yeah fair call mate, but I think we'd all agree there's some fairly easily missed goals in Ozzie Rules too .. I just think that many of the skills when you can't use your hands, and even many of the keeper saves are very skillful.

I guess I just have an appreciation for both games and rarely try to compare them.

[AFLflyer]

I agree that there is a lot of frustration associated with watching soccer, but probably only the same level as watching any professional sport. I appreciate both games, but the thing that really gets my attention with the current soccer being played is that it truly is on the world stage - that every game is massive for whole countries, rather than the 'big fish in a little pond' feeling of Australian football games.

If I had to choose one out of the two, I'd go with footy, but I definitely enjoy both.

well said!!

[AFLflyer]

Not a huge soccer fan, I enjoy watching the attacking games.

I just think there is something nice in allowing yourself to be swept up in the hype of a major sporting tournament.

well said - agree

[AFLflyer]

doesnt have to be them Vs Us. open your eyes, t'is a big world out there!

[Brucetiki]

To me football will always win over soccer.

In soccer, I only follow the A-League (because it's local), and this is the first World Cup I'e paud serious attention to. Soccer is often incredibly boring, with scorelines on 0-0 common, and it can be like watching grass grow at times. I think The Simpsons portrayed the boring nature of soccer brilliantly at the start of 'The Cartridge Family' episode (when a riot breaks out because everyone's bored and wants to leave the game at the same time). Also, the diving and overreacting to injuries is awful - some of the diving is worse than what you see on the WWE, and I'm sorry, but a blood nose does not require a stretcher.

Compare that to football. There is constant action, scoring is constant, there is brilliant play, and players are willing to risk serious injury to make a great play. Players (sometimes foolishly) try not to let injuries hold stop them from playing. While there is some diving, it isn't as prevalent.

[The Dark Knight]

Can't wait until the World Cup is over. Hopefully with Australia bowing out in straight sets, all the hype will die in the arse.

Agreed BC. We can only hope it will die off.

[The Dark Knight]

As for skill level/physical attributes/decision making, for me AFL involves the greatest. A good player needs good hands and feet skills, physical strength and toughness and superior aerobic fitness to the other codes mentioned.

Agreed, well done sherminator

Australian Rules Football is 10 times more skillful than soccer. In AFL you have to use your hands and feet together, which takes years to learn. Anyone can kick a soccer ball around, but it takes a very long time and real skill to learn how to kick a perfect drop punt.

[mypaddock]

As for skill level/physical attributes/decision making, for me AFL involves the greatest. A good player needs good hands and feet skills, physical strength and toughness and superior aerobic fitness to the other codes mentioned.

Agreed, well done sherminator

Australian Rules Football is 10 times more skillful than soccer. In AFL you have to use your hands and feet together, which takes years to learn. Anyone can kick a soccer ball around, but it takes a very long time and real skill to learn how to kick a perfect drop punt.

Strongly disagree, players from others sports e.g. rugby/basketball can quickly grasp the skills needed to play AFL at the highest level.

The same cannot be said for soccer.
Even though I play football and have never played field soccer, I appreciate both. These days along with soccer, you only see a handful of AFL games you could class as enjoyable viewing.

Let's wait till the latter rounds of this World Cup when we see teams like Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Portugal etc play off against each other. Then you can make a call as to whether it is a good spectator sport.

[LMA]

CP, my main problem is that people keep saying it's highly skilled.

I've watched a lot of soccer and I'm just not convinced about the skill level. Of course, like all sports, when you see something special, it's great, but most of the games I watch seem consistent in that the skill level is disappointing. This is part of it being such a frustrating game. These types of sports are often good to play, but not so good to watch.

It certainly is the world game, no arguments there, but that's more an accident of history and culture, rather than anything else.

I'd venture that our game is vastly more skilled than soccer and the skills have to be executed under extreme physical pressure usually.

As for comparing trying to get a holding the ball decision with the cheating and feigning injury, that's drawing a very long bow.

Bad call Gary, of course it's highly skilled you put an AFL player on the soccer pitch they'd look like a muppet as would a soccer player vice versa.

[LMA]

As for skill level/physical attributes/decision making, for me AFL involves the greatest. A good player needs good hands and feet skills, physical strength and toughness and superior aerobic fitness to the other codes mentioned.

Agreed, well done sherminator

Australian Rules Football is 10 times more skillful than soccer. In AFL you have to use your hands and feet together, which takes years to learn. Anyone can kick a soccer ball around, but it takes a very long time and real skill to learn how to kick a perfect drop punt.

Strongly disagree, players from others sports e.g. rugby/basketball can quickly grasp the skills needed to play AFL at the highest level.

The same cannot be said for soccer.
Even though I play football and have never played field soccer, I appreciate both. These days along with soccer, you only see a handful of AFL games you could class as enjoyable viewing.

Let's wait till the latter rounds of this World Cup when we see teams like Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Portugal etc play off against each other. Then you can make a call as to whether it is a good spectator sport.

Spot on there Paddock How many people could hit header from long range and pace at 90 degree angle into the old onion bag if the game wasn't skillful. Both games at the top level are highly skillful, however the ethics of the sports thats the real debate

[Pseudo]

CP, I actually am one to disagree that it's a highly skilled game. Blatant misses from close range, blasts that go over the bar, or wide of the goals, when no pressure is applied.... I really don't think it's as highly skilled as everyone talks.

Heck, that all happens multiple time in your typical SANFL match!!

[redandblack]

CP, my main problem is that people keep saying it's highly skilled.

I've watched a lot of soccer and I'm just not convinced about the skill level. Of course, like all sports, when you see something special, it's great, but most of the games I watch seem consistent in that the skill level is disappointing. This is part of it being such a frustrating game. These types of sports are often good to play, but not so good to watch.

It certainly is the world game, no arguments there, but that's more an accident of history and culture, rather than anything else.

I'd venture that our game is vastly more skilled than soccer and the skills have to be executed under extreme physical pressure usually.

As for comparing trying to get a holding the ball decision with the cheating and feigning injury, that's drawing a very long bow.

Bad call Gary, of course it's highly skilled you put an AFL player on the soccer pitch they'd look like a muppet as would a soccer player vice versa.

Gary????

Arguing that both would look silly in the other sport is of course totally irrelevant to the argument.

[LMA]

CP, my main problem is that people keep saying it's highly skilled.

I've watched a lot of soccer and I'm just not convinced about the skill level. Of course, like all sports, when you see something special, it's great, but most of the games I watch seem consistent in that the skill level is disappointing. This is part of it being such a frustrating game. These types of sports are often good to play, but not so good to watch.

It certainly is the world game, no arguments there, but that's more an accident of history and culture, rather than anything else.

I'd venture that our game is vastly more skilled than soccer and the skills have to be executed under extreme physical pressure usually.

As for comparing trying to get a holding the ball decision with the cheating and feigning injury, that's drawing a very long bow.

Bad call Gary, of course it's highly skilled you put an AFL player on the soccer pitch they'd look like a muppet as would a soccer player vice versa.

Gary????

Arguing that both would look silly in the other sport is of course totally irrelevant to the argument.

sorry Caro

[devilsadvocate]

As for skill level/physical attributes/decision making, for me AFL involves the greatest. A good player needs good hands and feet skills, physical strength and toughness and superior aerobic fitness to the other codes mentioned.

Agreed, well done sherminator

Australian Rules Football is 10 times more skillful than soccer. In AFL you have to use your hands and feet together, which takes years to learn. Anyone can kick a soccer ball around, but it takes a very long time and real skill to learn how to kick a perfect drop punt.

Strongly disagree, players from others sports e.g. rugby/basketball can quickly grasp the skills needed to play AFL at the highest level.

The same cannot be said for soccer.
Even though I play football and have never played field soccer, I appreciate both. These days along with soccer, you only see a handful of AFL games you could class as enjoyable viewing.

Let's wait till the latter rounds of this World Cup when we see teams like Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Portugal etc play off against each other. Then you can make a call as to whether it is a good spectator sport.

THIS.

Look at NikNat - plucked from a tropical island in January 09, playing AFL in March 09 without EVER having even seen a game.

Israel Folou - highest paid aussie rules player in the world and he's never played. But he must be skillful.

Seriously, you could coach anyone with a reasonable level of fitness to be competitive in the AFL.

Not a chance in hell could you take any old athlete and transform them into a soccer player at the highest level.


FWIW, I've watched all bar 3 WC games live so far. Haven't seen an AFL game sine I went to Port v Syd. Uccckkkk

[GWW]

Look at NikNat - plucked from a tropical island in January 09, playing AFL in March 09 without EVER having even seen a game.

Only a slight exaggeration:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nic_Naitanui

[redandblack]

Thanks, da, I needed a laugh and your sweeping statements have provided that

"You could coach anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness to be competitive in the AFL"

Certainly not soccer players, they'd faint at the thought of a physical AFL contest, roll over 8 times and flee the field on a stretcher with a severe case of the jitters;)

[Turbo]

Thanks, da, I needed a laugh and your sweeping statements have provided that

"You could coach anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness to be competitive in the AFL"

Certainly not soccer players, they'd faint at the thought of a physical AFL contest, roll over 8 times and flee the field on a stretcher with a severe case of the jitters;)

[am Bays]

fairs fair, R&B, you're comparing a sport to a mere recreational pursuit...

[Turbo]

Kids soccer isn't bad to watch cos they at least attack.

[RoosterMarty]

As for skill level/physical attributes/decision making, for me AFL involves the greatest. A good player needs good hands and feet skills, physical strength and toughness and superior aerobic fitness to the other codes mentioned.

Agreed, well done sherminator

Australian Rules Football is 10 times more skillful than soccer. In AFL you have to use your hands and feet together, which takes years to learn. Anyone can kick a soccer ball around, but it takes a very long time and real skill to learn how to kick a perfect drop punt.

Anyone can kick a soccer ball around. Why aren't you off earning millions in the EPL then? What a ridiculously stupid post.

I also laugh at people saying soccer lacks skill because players miss easy chances!! Do you people not watch aussie rules? Players miss easy goals all the time, miss targets by hand or foot.... Terrible argument really.