DENGON NET

今回からはFootyのルール説明を。まずはグランドに注目。このオーバル（楕円形）には、四角い世の中も、丸く治める笑福亭仁鶴なオージー精神が込められているんですなぁ（※ほんとはクリケット競技場を使ったスポーツとして誕生したから）。プレーヤーは、18人。ハンドパスやキックでボールをつなぎ、ランニングで相手ディフェンスを振り切って、ゴールを目指します。GOAL（6点）は、4本あるポールの真ん中の２本にボールを蹴り込む。外側のポールの間に蹴り入れるとBEHIND（1点）。ゴールアンパイアが「がきデカ」の「死刑！」ポーズをしたら、GOALですよ（笑）。よく試合中継を見てると、ゴール前で選手が揉め合い、敵プレーヤーが相手ゴールにボールを蹴り入れる光景を見ます。あれは、ヤケっぱちになったわけではなく、ボールが入る前に相手にタッチされると、BEHINDで1点しか入らないため。GOALの6点を相手に取られてしまうよりは、先手で1点あげといたるわ～ん！　という、オージーの苦肉のMate精神なんですねぇ。え…違うって？　はい、すいません（笑）。

Looking for a team? Here’s a story which may help. 　My sister married a South African, and (like most Aussies) he loves his sport. He is passionate about rugby and absolutely loves his cricket (the sport, not the insect). 　But this is Melbourne. He has had to learn to love Aussie Rules Football, and yes he’s already hooked. Still, it took him 2 years to choose his team. 　The interstate teams were cut first, followed by Demons and the Kangaroos for being “just too crap” (his words, not mine). St.Kilda was next for promising so much for so long, but delivering so little, and I could see his point. The reputation of Collingwood fans eliminated the Magpies, then Essendon and Richmond (his wife’s team!) were next to go for “lack of potential”. Geelong had already peaked so they were gone. 　Andre was looking for an underdog, a team he could really enjoy watching as he witnessed its rise to glory. 　Jason Akermanis was the main attraction at the Bulldogs, but sadly (for them, not me) his age and injuries counted against him, so the Doggies were cut. This left the Hawks and the Blues as the final two contenders for Andre’s affection. 　And then, the miracle happened. The Cats choked and the Hawks won the flag, destroying their underdog status. A Carlton fan was born. His journey towards the dark navy blue side was complete. 　Truly now, we are brothers. Time to sit back giggling and watch the sleeping giant awake (shhh… don’t tell him we’re not underdogs!).