the last saturday in september..

..is 'footy finals' day.

This the AFL, Australia's own and very unique football code involving an oval ball,complicated finals competition, two possible results from a kick on goal and incredibly fit, oiled, glistening and muscly lads running, kicking, handballing and marking the ball for four 25 minute quarters.
And seriously naff club songs!

Dating back to 1857, Tom Wills, one of the founders of Australian Football, returned to Australia after schooling in England where he was football captain of Rugby School and a brilliant cricketer. Initially, he advocated the winter game of football as a way of keeping cricketers fit during off-season.
The first club was founded in 1858 and originally a Melbourne/Victorian institution until, in my time here (30 years), other states became involved much to the chagrin of some Victorians who consider the 'others' as interlopers!

The Fremantle Dockers are in the final for the first time in their 19 year old history and the West turned purple to celebrate.
This supporter, spotted shopping in our local Woolworths, is not exactly a local lad but has traded his Newcastle colours for the 'purple haze'!, and very proud he was too.

Sad to say Freo lost to Hawthorn by 15 points.