The AFL is back.

For Aussies it's been back for a few weeks, as they got to watch the NAB Cup. But we 'Merkins don't get those feeds.

Look to to your right. Yes, right there. See the little emblem? Collingwood FC?

Them's my boys, adopted years back. My buddy Zen thinks I'm a wanker for liking them, because they're the Yankees, the Man U, of Australian Football.

Eh, who cares. I love 'em.

The opening game at the heart of the league, the MCG, was a ripper, to be sure.

For the first three quarters Collingwood never led; down 9 points at quarter time, 17 at the half, and 25 at the end of the third quarter. Suddenly, in the fourth, the boys remembered how to play footy and roared back in one of the better comebacks in recent memory, outscoring the 'Roos 7 goals to 2 to eke out a three point win.

Bewdy!

The officiating was horrifying, and early on the myriad mistakes favored the Kangaroos. Yet in the final term Collingwood finally got the better end of a blunder, which while it might be discussed is rendered pretty meaningless in that the player completely shanked his kick from 20 out that might have been the winner for the Roos. Not to mention that a missed high tackle led effectively to a 12 point swing in the Roos favor. The North Melbournites won't want to talk about those decisions, though.

Let 'em squeak. I picked my Pies to finish in the top four this season, against all sense and reason. Maybe they can get 21 more games of luck and heart?

Good Old Collingwood Forever!

Labels: australia, footy, NotforPaula, sports