Multicultural Round is upon us, and this week I want to highlight some of the diversities between AFL and North American sport. With minimal exposure to our game before landing in Sydney, many aspects of the sport (and the spectacle) came as a novelty to me. From the team song, cheer squads and the ball itself, I feel that many of the idiosyncrasies of AFL are steeped in tradition and will likely never change. 

The biggest difference between Aussie Rules culture and that of baseball, basketball, hockey and football is how clubs are supported. In North America, children’s favourite players determine their favourite teams. My list was, Jose Canseco-Oakland A’s, Michael Jordan-Chicago Bulls, Pavel Bure-Vancouver Canucks and Joe Montana- San Francisco 49ers.

In Australia, there is no such choice; babies are born into team colours. To ‘barrack’ against your family allegiances is grounds for disownment; clubs are a part of people’s families. It’s almost genetic. There is no better example than in Melbourne where the first question new acquaintances ask is, “Who do you support?”.  You are guaranteed a new friend if the answers align and equally guaranteed an enemy if one replies…“Collingwood”.

There is no doubt that the spectacle of AFL is best experienced live and arriving to my first game, I had no idea what to expect. What I found was that there are many quirky particulars to this sport that are as unique in nature as Australians themselves (in a good way).

Here is a lighthearted take on a few of these oddities.

Team Song - Pump up or high school marching band? 

Whilst I have grown fond of the Swans floor-tapping banjo tune, I must say it’s quite a contrast to arena sports music where pre-game playlists consist of pump-up classics such as AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’ or Guns N Roses’s ‘Welcome to the Jungle’.  It’s actually quite ironic that the Swans run out to the American Notre Dame victory theme while many North American teams run out to Australia’s own AC/DC.

Cheer Squads - Cheerleaders anyone?

The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have international appeal, recognition, and ultimately, cater to all tastes.  We have Kenny Williams. The contrast couldn’t be starker, but the love that Kenny has for his club is unwavering. He treats every player like a son and would never turn his back on the Swans, not even for the front cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.

Pom-poms on steroids? 

I have never seen anything like these; their sheer mass is a force to be reckoned with.  How many people do you even need to orchestrate such equipment? I imagine the cheer squad holds pre-season training sessions to ensure they don’t cramp up during the quick scoring moments in games.  They say everything is bigger in Texas but I’m pretty sure AFL pom-poms are the exception.

The Sherrin - Skippy?

I suppose the leather must posses an inherent ability to bounce, however it is interesting that we use Australia’s national animal’s skin for the ball used to play its national sport. I suppose it is an effective form of pest control and I am all for the head-to-tail philosophy, but I certainly cannot see Canadians embracing a beaver-tail hockey puck.

On a final note, thinking back to our first live game, I remember my wife asking, “Why don’t they pass the ball to the guy in florescent? He’s always open…” We laugh about it now but at the time it made me think…

The sport could not be more ‘Aussie’ and there is no question it’s an easy sell to foreigners who have the privilege of experiencing a live contest. Maybe in the future Multicultural Round could be held offshore? Vancouver anyone?

Canadianly,

Mike Pyke