Australian Rules Football

If you want to take a stroll down memory lane to the early days of ESPN, the Australian Rules Football (often referred to as "Footy") Grand Final will be televised this Friday night/Saturday morning.  Things will start Friday night at 11:30 PM on ESPN Classic with the pre-match ceremony.  This typically includes (Aussie) celebrities and the singing of "Waltzing Matilda" and "Advance Australia Fair."

The game telecast begins an hour later (that's my way of avoiding trying to remember if that's 12:30 AM or PM - I think AM) and then there's a half hour Trophy Presentation ceremony at 3:30 AM (got that one).  Worth a Tivo-ing or DVR-ing if you want to broaden your sports horizons. 

The game itself will pit the St. Kilda Saints vs. the Geelong Cats.  I know - who's the marketing genius that came up with that nickname for St. Kilda?

Here's a YouTube video promoting Footy if you aren't familiar with it.

Did you know that Cincinnati has an Aussie Rules team, the Cincinnati Dockers?

Here's a brief explanation of the rules from the Dockers' web site.

Finally, if you tune in and like what you see, the US Footy championships will be held in Mason on October 10th and 11th at Heritage Oak Park.