left corner left corner
China Daily Website

That one day in September

Updated: 2012-09-28 07:52
By Tym Glaser ( China Daily)

That one day in September 

The Beijing Bombers (black with red sashes) and Shanghai Tigers battle it out in their Asia Cup match in the southern city this month. The Tigers swept the two-match series. The best players from both teams will be chosen to represent the China Reds at the next AFL Asian Championship. Provided to China Daily

Tym Glaser takes a look at the premier event on Australia's sports calendar - the AFL Grand Final.

You can have your Melbourne Cup, National Rugby League Grand Final, Boxing Day Test and Bledisloe Cup matches - nothing compares to the AFL Grand Final.

Two teams with middling supporter bases - the Hawthorn Hawks and Sydney Swans - will do battle for this year's flag at the MCG on Saturday and, apart from the 100,000-plus spectators at the "G", millions of fans from Brisbane to Birmingham to Boston to Beijing will tune in to watch the spectacle.

Aussie Rules, a hybrid, indigenous game designed originally to keep cricketers in shape during the winter months, is beyond a passion in the states below and left of the Murray River.

In Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania it is followed with cult-like zeal and it has also slowly expanded into the northern rugby heartland and established two teams in Sydney and another two in Queensland as it takes on a truly national flavor.

AFL Grand Final day is the culmination of winter's national sport, and Australians generally don't need too much of an excuse for a party.

"Everywhere around the country people will be having house parties with friends, meeting in bars, watching the game in organized public areas," said Mic Mittasch, president of the Beijing Australian Rules Football League

"In all corners of the world the same will be happening with Australians tuning in to their TVs or watching online or even just listening to the broadcast on radio. In Swaziland, Africa, five Aussies and two Brits who have been to Oz, and about five local Swazis who are touring Victoria next year with their choir will be tuning in to watch the game."

Like Australia Day, and, to a somewhat lesser extent, Anzac Day, the "Grannie" provides a great opportunity for expat Australians across the globe to get together.

"For myself, and many others living here in China, the day is a special gathering of those that love the game, a chance to drink some Aussie beers and wine, eat some meat pies and cheer loudly for the competing teams," said Mittasch whose Beijing Bombers are co-sponsoring this year's official AFL Grand Final party with AustCham at the Brussels bar in Sanlitun, where more than 200 fans are expected to turn up.

Outside of the pies, the meatiest issue is who will be crowned premier on Saturday afternoon?

"It is a close one to call, so I will not say who. I would like to see Sydney win as they have been able to build a special team internally and take those not wanted by other clubs to form a champion team," said the diplomatic Beijing-based businessman of a game in which the Hawks are raging favorites.

Tym Glaser is a senior sports copy editor and diehard Collingwood fan who still has all his teeth, thank you very much. He can be contacted at tymglaser@chinadaily.com.cn.

That one day in September

(China Daily 09/28/2012 page22)

8.03K
 
...
...