FOXTEL: Chooseday Night Footy

[JK]

Anyone else been watching these classic matches? Some timeless footy they've been showing on this, all 3 matches have been corkers but perhaps last nights 95' Anzac Day clash was slightly the pick of the bunch.

Really hoping they show the 99' Carlton v Essendon Prelim among these games.

Amazing to watch games from 10+ years ago, that are slightly slower, have stacks more marking contests, players can use a reasonable level of physicality without being penalised, and there aren't stupid ruck infringements being paid every 2nd contest ... Who would have thought the game from the 90's needed so much changing?

[Felch]

Anyone else been watching these classic matches? Some timeless footy they've been showing on this, all 3 matches have been corkers but perhaps last nights 95' Anzac Day clash was slightly the pick of the bunch.

Really hoping they show the 99' Carlton v Essendon Prelim among these games.

Amazing to watch games from 10+ years ago, that are slightly slower, have stacks more marking contests, players can use a reasonable level of physicality without being penalised, and there aren't stupid ruck infringements being paid every 2nd contest ... Who would have thought the game from the 90's needed so much changing?

I was at that game, was over in Melbourne on a footy trip. Still to this day the best game of footy i have ever been to, and thats including the '97 Prelim which i was at also.

[JK]

Anyone else been watching these classic matches? Some timeless footy they've been showing on this, all 3 matches have been corkers but perhaps last nights 95' Anzac Day clash was slightly the pick of the bunch.

Really hoping they show the 99' Carlton v Essendon Prelim among these games.

Amazing to watch games from 10+ years ago, that are slightly slower, have stacks more marking contests, players can use a reasonable level of physicality without being penalised, and there aren't stupid ruck infringements being paid every 2nd contest ... Who would have thought the game from the 90's needed so much changing?

I was at that game, was over in Melbourne on a footy trip. Still to this day the best game of footy i have ever been to, and thats including the '97 Prelim which i was at also.

I was in Melbourne at the time visiting a girlfriend, and was listening to it on the radio .. All I can remember is Eddie McGuire's "Carlton are gonna win by a point" hysterics ... Watched the game a few times since and would be hard pressed to find a more enthralling game.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Anyone else been watching these classic matches? Some timeless footy they've been showing on this, all 3 matches have been corkers but perhaps last nights 95' Anzac Day clash was slightly the pick of the bunch.

Really hoping they show the 99' Carlton v Essendon Prelim among these games.

Amazing to watch games from 10+ years ago, that are slightly slower, have stacks more marking contests, players can use a reasonable level of physicality without being penalised, and there aren't stupid ruck infringements being paid every 2nd contest ... Who would have thought the game from the 90's needed so much changing?

channel 72 has recently had the carlton-essendon game on as part of the series of footy flashbacks they have on

[Bum Crack]

Anyone else been watching these classic matches? Some timeless footy they've been showing on this, all 3 matches have been corkers but perhaps last nights 95' Anzac Day clash was slightly the pick of the bunch.

Really hoping they show the 99' Carlton v Essendon Prelim among these games.

Amazing to watch games from 10+ years ago, that are slightly slower, have stacks more marking contests, players can use a reasonable level of physicality without being penalised, and there aren't stupid ruck infringements being paid every 2nd contest ... Who would have thought the game from the 90's needed so much changing?

I was at that game, was over in Melbourne on a footy trip. Still to this day the best game of footy i have ever been to, and thats including the '97 Prelim which i was at also.

Me and the missus went over and watched that game too. It was great. I had no allegiances during the game, but by 3/4 qtr time, I was barracking for Carlton big time. We had a father and his young son in front of us and they copped abuse from the essednon supporters all day. When the final siren went, he turned around to the crowd, gave them the bird and gave his son the biggest hug and they both had tears of happiness in their eyes. It was a moving thing to see.

[Felch]

I was the same that day, had no allegiance to any side and thoroughly enjoyed the stress-free watching of footy. I was glad Carlton won too.
Being a footy trip, i was with a fairly large group of blokes, which added to the day. We actually got interviewed entering the ground, and they took footage of one of my mates taking a 'hanger' on one of the other lads - they replayed it on the big screen at halftime !!!

[devilsadvocate]

Amazing to watch games from 10+ years ago, that are slightly slower, have stacks more marking contests, players can use a reasonable level of physicality without being penalised, and there aren't stupid ruck infringements being paid every 2nd contest ... Who would have thought the game from the 90's needed so much changing?

Absolutely spot on there CP.

That was footy as the game is meant to be played. The game was far richer for footballers playing football, rather than athletes trying to impersonate footballers and umpires doing their best to gain 15 minutes of fame.

The AFL is soooo frustrating to watch at times these days with the plethora of free kicks, 36 players following the ball around U-8's style, shocking kicking for goals, and teams seemingly trying to handball each other to death. Of course there are still brilliant passages of play and great skills on show, but they're becoming fewer and further between.

[Rik E Boy]

Anyone else been watching these classic matches? Some timeless footy they've been showing on this, all 3 matches have been corkers but perhaps last nights 95' Anzac Day clash was slightly the pick of the bunch.

Really hoping they show the 99' Carlton v Essendon Prelim among these games.

Amazing to watch games from 10+ years ago, that are slightly slower, have stacks more marking contests, players can use a reasonable level of physicality without being penalised, and there aren't stupid ruck infringements being paid every 2nd contest ... Who would have thought the game from the 90's needed so much changing?

They've replayed that one plenty of times already Permstance. My favourite is Geelong vs. St Kilda 1991 Elimination Final. Plugger and Brownless both got bags and the Cats had a tight victory in a very physical final.

regards,

REB

[White Line Fever]

i watched it also last night CP!

How good was Buckley, especially his loose ball bump on boundry by wing!
And Brereton was obviuosly on the way out!

I love watching footy like this, it was pure, man on man, contests!

[JK]

Anyone else been watching these classic matches? Some timeless footy they've been showing on this, all 3 matches have been corkers but perhaps last nights 95' Anzac Day clash was slightly the pick of the bunch.

Really hoping they show the 99' Carlton v Essendon Prelim among these games.

Amazing to watch games from 10+ years ago, that are slightly slower, have stacks more marking contests, players can use a reasonable level of physicality without being penalised, and there aren't stupid ruck infringements being paid every 2nd contest ... Who would have thought the game from the 90's needed so much changing?

They've replayed that one plenty of times already Permstance. My favourite is Geelong vs. St Kilda 1991 Elimination Final. Plugger and Brownless both got bags and the Cats had a tight victory in a very physical final.

regards,

REB

I can't remember that one mate, so hopefully they give it a burl ... The 1990 tied final between WC and Collingwood would be another I'd like to see again.

Was great last week watching blokes like Paul Kelly (Syd v Ess prelim 96'), sometimes the memory dims on just how fantastic players like him were.

[JK]

i watched it also last night CP!

How good was Buckley, especially his loose ball bump on boundry by wing!
And Brereton was obviuosly on the way out!

I love watching footy like this, it was pure, man on man, contests!

Completely agree mate

[whufc]

Love the Geelong vs Footscray final at the MCG where Brownless? kicked the winner just ebfore or after the siren, the game was a cracker, would love to see that one again for sure.

Ahhhhhhhhh the football back in the 90's when i was passionate about the AFL, these days i don't give a carp apart from my tipping and fantasy sides.

[devilsadvocate]

Love the Geelong vs Footscray final at the MCG where Brownless? kicked the winner just ebfore or after the siren, the game was a cracker, would love to see that one again for sure.

Ahhhhhhhhh the football back in the 90's when i was passionate about the AFL, these days i don't give a carp apart from my tipping and fantasy sides.

I'd be interested to know why is that? I'm still passionate about Port, but less so about watching as many AFL games as I used to back in the 90's.

[Bum Crack]

Love the Geelong vs Footscray final at the MCG where Brownless? kicked the winner just ebfore or after the siren, the game was a cracker, would love to see that one again for sure.

Ahhhhhhhhh the football back in the 90's when i was passionate about the AFL, these days i don't give a carp apart from my tipping and fantasy sides.

I'd be interested to know why is that? I'm still passionate about Port, but less so about watching as many AFL games as I used to back in the 90's.

I would watch every game, every week if I could. I love my footy. There are still some good games out there. Even the blowouts are good to watch every now and then, because it's great to admire the skill of a team that rips another team to shreds. That's why I love watching Geelong v Port games

[valleys07]

Love the Geelong vs Footscray final at the MCG where Brownless? kicked the winner just ebfore or after the siren, the game was a cracker, would love to see that one again for sure.

Ahhhhhhhhh the football back in the 90's when i was passionate about the AFL, these days i don't give a carp apart from my tipping and fantasy sides.

I'd be interested to know why is that? I'm still passionate about Port, but less so about watching as many AFL games as I used to back in the 90's.

I can see your point whufc. My 1st season of footy in u8's in 94 was when i started taking interest in footy. throughout the 90's was pure hard, skilful football where games where your team wasnt playing seemed worthy to watch. I still try and watch as much footy as i can purely for the love of the game, but when the power isnt playing, my interest in other games only stems to watching players in my fantasy sides or if i have money on the game. Unfortunately footy is all about the money and the sponsorship deals and not forgetting the umps imposing themselves like never before. Footy to someone new to the game isnt near as exciting as what it was to me 15 yr ago

[whufc]

Love the Geelong vs Footscray final at the MCG where Brownless? kicked the winner just ebfore or after the siren, the game was a cracker, would love to see that one again for sure.

Ahhhhhhhhh the football back in the 90's when i was passionate about the AFL, these days i don't give a carp apart from my tipping and fantasy sides.

I'd be interested to know why is that? I'm still passionate about Port, but less so about watching as many AFL games as I used to back in the 90's.

The current AFL is not the game that I as a junior played and dreamt about playing as an adult for Carlton.

Holding the ball was simple, if you picked the ball up and tried to run away from everyone and then were tackled you had to either handball the ball out or make an attempt, otherwise you were gone.

Players were encouraged and rewarded for winning the ball at the bottom of the packs. These days the biggest disadvantage in the game is being the first bloke to the contest.

Spekkies were allowed even if you had to place your hands on the opponent’s shoulders, shaking your opponents hand before and after a game was an absolute must and the hip and shoulder was a fair part of the game provided you kept your elbows tucked in a bumped between the shoulder and the hips.

Mud was all part of the fun and could bring even the best sides down and the sherrin bloody hurt at 9am on a 5 degree Sunday morning not wearing any gloves as you played.

There was still a place for the nuggetty five foot nothing that played as a rover/forward pocket and the skinny little runt on the wing that could run like the wind. Half back flankers were defenders, the full back took all the kick ins and forward pockets didn’t have to worry about tackle counts.

The game was simple the object for forwards was to get away from your opponent and kick goals, defenders stuck to there man like glue and midfielders just had to get as many kicks (note kicks) as possible. You never ever ever ever kicked the ball across goals either.

Defenders were allowed to defend; there was no tunnelling or chopping the arms. The number one rule for defending was if you couldn’t spoil the ball, spoil the hands. The only time we ever heard zone was when we use to talk about going to the near by game arcade Timezone after the game.

Boots came in black and black only, they took half an hour of the most focused mind frame to polish before and after each game and wearing your boots in the club room was an absolute sin.

When I took a mark 20 meters out directly in front I was allowed to wave to my parents, pull up my socks, throw the grass in the air to check the wind and re-do up my shoe laces.

We didn't recruit from the Elizabeth Little Athletics club either all our players came from the surounding primary schools and were all mates of someone in the side.

The game is not football as I played as a junior and I am only 26 years old, the most basic concepts and ideals are no longer part of thus great game that’s why I go and watch the SANFL every single week, the SANFL is slowly changing as well and one day ill probably be back watching Eastern Park in the ammos every week.

AFL of the 80's-90's =test cricket
current AFL= T20 cricket

[whufc]

will add the umpries weren't that bad either because there were no interpretations there were just rules of the game.

[White Line Fever]

Well spoken WHUFC

[devilsadvocate]

Love the Geelong vs Footscray final at the MCG where Brownless? kicked the winner just ebfore or after the siren, the game was a cracker, would love to see that one again for sure.

Ahhhhhhhhh the football back in the 90's when i was passionate about the AFL, these days i don't give a carp apart from my tipping and fantasy sides.

I'd be interested to know why is that? I'm still passionate about Port, but less so about watching as many AFL games as I used to back in the 90's.

The game is not football as I played as a junior and I am only 26 years old, the most basic concepts and ideals are no longer part of thus great game that’s why I go and watch the SANFL every single week, the SANFL is slowly changing as well and one day ill probably be back watching Eastern Park in the ammos every week.

Didn't re-quote it all, but I 100% agree with every word. Excellent post.

I'm 28 - glad someone feels the same way I do about AFL.

I too have come back to the SANFL, but some passages of 30 handballs are creeping in there too.

AFL in the 90's was a great spectacle.
AFL in 2010 can still generate a decent highlights reel in between the over coaching, over policing, over handballing guff.

[Rik E Boy]

The current AFL is not the game that I as a junior played and dreamt about playing as an adult for Carlton.

Holding the ball was simple, if you picked the ball up and tried to run away from everyone and then were tackled you had to either handball the ball out or make an attempt, otherwise you were gone.

I reckon it's still pretty simple now. There is less prior opportunity now but if you look like you are trying to get rid of the aggot you'll normally be all right. The big problem for me is more teams, more games, more umpires, more rules which inevitably leads to more confusion.

Players were encouraged and rewarded for winning the ball at the bottom of the packs. These days the biggest disadvantage in the game is being the first bloke to the contest.

Not necessarily. I saw two free kicks on the weekend when the player who went in and got the ball put his head into the tackler's stomach and was rewarded with the free. The game will continue to evolve.

Spekkies were allowed even if you had to place your hands on the opponent’s shoulders, shaking your opponents hand before and after a game was an absolute must and the hip and shoulder was a fair part of the game provided you kept your elbows tucked in a bumped between the shoulder and the hips.

Ricky Petterd did exactly that against Brisbane on Saturday. The hands in the back rule can be applied pretty harshly at the start of the year but it is one that is generally let go as the season goes on. A bit like all of the 'new' rules.

Mud was all part of the fun and could bring even the best sides down and the sherrin bloody hurt at 9am on a 5 degree Sunday morning not wearing any gloves as you played.

Why do you want players at the highest level to be brought down? And more players wore gloves in the nineties than they do now. It was a real craze during the mid nineties.

There was still a place for the nuggetty five foot nothing that played as a rover/forward pocket and the skinny little runt on the wing that could run like the wind. Half back flankers were defenders, the full back took all the kick ins and forward pockets didn’t have to worry about tackle counts.

In the last two years the smaller blokes have made a big comeback for the very tackle counts you decry above as forwards who can apply defensive pressure (wouldn't minded a bit of THAT on Monday!). Skinny runts and nuggetty short blokes will back as well in the next two years when the league has to find two more squads to field.

The game was simple the object for forwards was to get away from your opponent and kick goals, defenders stuck to there man like glue and midfielders just had to get as many kicks (note kicks) as possible. You never ever ever ever kicked the ball across goals either.

Defenders were allowed to defend; there was no tunnelling or chopping the arms. The number one rule for defending was if you couldn’t spoil the ball, spoil the hands. The only time we ever heard zone was when we use to talk about going to the near by game arcade Timezone after the game.

Agree with most of the above two paragraphs but seriously, tunnelling or whatever they care to call it, is bullshit. The chopping of the arms rule is bollocks no doubt about it. The reason why the game is not so simple is that coaches have to devise a plan to stop the goals as one on one defense doesn't cut it anymore. By trying to free up the forwards the AFL have in fact created a defenders paradise because now there are 16 players in the back half so you don't need to go one on one anymore. Hands in the back and Chopping of the arms = Saints footy.

Boots came in black and black only, they took half an hour of the most focused mind frame to polish before and after each game and wearing your boots in the club room was an absolute sin.

Bollocks. Phil Carman was wearing white boots back in the 1970's.

When I took a mark 20 meters out directly in front I was allowed to wave to my parents, pull up my socks, throw the grass in the air to check the wind and re-do up my shoe laces.

That's because sponsors weren't shelling out thousands of dollars to show commercials or the signboards at the game. Get on with son and hurry up and miss, or kick the darn thing so we can show our ad$ and get you to buy our crap.

The game is not football as I played as a junior and I am only 26 years old, the most basic concepts and ideals are no longer part of thus great game that’s why I go and watch the SANFL every single week, the SANFL is slowly changing as well and one day ill probably be back watching Eastern Park in the ammos every week.

As an old bastard I'm a lot more disappointed by what has happened to the SANFL comp in the last twenty years rather than the direction the AFL has taken. In the last twenty years the comp has become a substandard one with only one team in it for most of those years (Port and Centrals). The SANFL I knew was top football with packed grounds and REAL atmosphere and banter with opposition supporters. Now it is a glorified Reserves comp and that bothers me more than current AFL trends.

Yours was an excellent post whufc and I'm just bringing up discussion points, not having a go at you. As a footy player I made an excellent beer drinker so I never had any real desire to play the game. I was at Norwood Oval one day and we were playing Westies and two blokes SMASHED into each other right near Coopers Hill. You could literally hear the bodies THUMP and both of these blokes were twice my size. That's when I thought 'stick to cricket' and went and got a beer LOL.

But one thing I have noticed is that many people can watch top games of the 1990's and previous eras and say 'Bloody hell footy was so much better then' but they aren't going to be showing you some of the dire matches like West Coast vs. Footscray at a muddy Western Oval when the final score was 4 goals to 3 or some of the shockers that the interstate clubs put on in their first forays onto the traditional home grounds of the established Victorian clubs.

Even the 1984 Grand Final, as good as it was showed the ugly side of old Football. Dipper came along and put on an absolute cheap shot on Billy Duckworth that adds nothing to the game. Now it's all about the football. The biggest problem is they WON'T LEAVE THE GAME ALONE. Sack the wankers in the rules committee and just let the umpires learn the rules without having to adapt on a yearly basis. That would improve the game a lot.

There were good and bad games in the past as there are now. I reckon that last season was one of the best seasons we've had in a very long time and already there have been some good clashes this season.

regards,

REB