What is the best sport?

[Readman]

First rule before I even start - nobody gets to say 'oh, they all have their good points, they're equal' or that sort of hippy crap. Pick a sport and argue for it.

Second rule, keep it good-natured.

What is the best sport? Fight it out here. I'll start by arguing that AFL is the best sport.

It's an intense, high-scoring and free-flowing game. There are a multitude of different tactical options that can be used and plenty of room to develop new ones. Per capita, it is probably the most attended sport in the world. There are probably more spectacles in an average game of AFL than in any other game in the world.

Soccer, on the other hand, is just boring. For most of a match, nothing happens. Then someone flukes a goal or gets given a dodgy penalty. The largest league (Europe) is rife with corruption. And its supporters insist on calling it the 'world game' despite the fact that the US doesn't give a stuff about it, it's a poor cousin to basketball in China and nobody in India gives a shit about it.

The two varieties of rugby are interesting. League is OK, but suffers from inept administration at all levels. Union is just a mess, although it's good that the obese and unfit still have some sport that they can play now that cricket is closed off to them.

Cricket is just boring as batshit. My fanatical friends tell me that it's a tactical game, but that side of it is losing rapidly to 20/20.

Your. Turn.

[AranchineD]

AFL is the worst sport because it is a needlessly high-scoring sport for bogans who have the attention spans of a a small goat and don't want to watch 'sport' with unnecessary things such as "rules" because it gets in the way of meatheads running around on some grass and receiving points for giving their kick a 'good try' but missing slightly to either side of the goal posts.

Rugby Union is the best sport because it was the world game before the world became obsessed with finding a world game. A game where the general point of play is not to give the ball to some fancy dancing aboriginal or New Zealander player every ten seconds so he can run straight forward for 20 metres by himself, every play is (or should be, hi our national team) thought out in advance depending on an extraoridinary amount of conditions making it a complex but entirely enjoyable game, every position really does have a role to play in the grand scheme of things, and a sport where the big points on offer really are rewards for excellent passages of play or quickly taking advantage of an opposition mistake, not the be-all and end-all of every single step a player takes.

[TAT]

I gave soccer a chance at the last world cup but they blew it when Italy screwed us.

Props to the A-League, though, for building themselves up into a sport that is gaining in popularity. Wogs need something to do when they're not supporting Collingwood, I guess... >__>

Cricket has fallen apart in the last 5 years or so with no more characters of the game and a captain who's trying too hard to be Steve Waugh. I fully support the abolishment of all test cricket for more 20/20 matches.

Basketball has also fallen apart in recent years, though the Dragons winning the last NBL series in only their 3rd year of existence was just incredible.

Netball is an enjoyable sport to watch (as well as participate in) but the lack of mainstream popularity hurts it somewhat with little knowledge of teams or players.

AFL has the absolute monopoly in at least 4 states at the moment, and I support it almost wholeheartedly. There has been a lot of controversy in recent years surrounding quite a few big name players, though that has nearly always been the case. There have been a few too many rule changes a bit too quickly for my liking but the teams seem to have adapted well enough, and we've seen a good mixture of teams vying for the right to take on Geelong come Grand Final Day.

Horse Racing is a joke, and the Melbourne Cup couldn't be a more corporate affair if it tried.

AFL gets my vote.

[FX-GTZ]

Chicks playing tennis, hopefully those new regulations will get through about stopping those f***ing grunts from the women.

[[m]averick]

In regards to individual sport:

squash > tennis.

The only reason tennis is able to attract the millions of dollars in prizemoney is due to the favourable view it affords it's spectators, both at home and at the court. In every other aspect, squash is far superior.

Squash, in terms of aerobic output, is one of the most, if not the most, demanding sports there is. Not to mention that due to the four walls (the main handicap to its ability to draw spectators) it is much more variable, interesting and strategic than tennis, which can essentially be boiled down to 'serve ball HARD', hit weak return to where opponent ISNT.

And, I agree with Readman's OP, AFL is fantastic.

[[m]averick]

Rugby Union is the best sport because it was the world game before the world became obsessed with finding a world game.


Rugby Union is the worst game out. Behind curling, which is actually cool because it's a novelty and not the snorefest that is Union. Not to mention, it helps women practice their sweeping skills. What does Union have to offer? Nothing. People criticise soccer for it's low scores and frequent scorelines of 2-1, 1-0 or 0-0, but Union is the only sport where I've seen games end without a team scoring a 'primary' goal (ie, a try).

Too often Union is three 'half-points' (penalties) to one 'half point'. At least in AFL, they're trying for a six-pointer, no Union team wants to get near the tryline, which is an embarrassment in itself, because scoring a try is literally the easiest thing to do in any sport. You simply have to, wait for it, FALL OVER A LINE. Despite this, these simpletons still **** it up:


8QlmMGeiXX0

TlzZIT_p83w


Not to mention that unlike league, rah-rah is known as 'kick-and-clap' and Yawnion.

[dimorphic]

Rugby League is the best sport. Put aside the terrible quality of the referees this season in the NRL the game has all the perks. It's fast paced and flows well. The attack can be electrifying and the defence is punishing.

State of Origin is a fantastic game inside of a game and garners the most fevered support from it's states. The international game is becoming less of a one horse race as well. The Aussies won the Four Nations this season but were tested throughout and thr Kiwi's are the current world champions.

[AranchineD]

averick;1148073']Rugby Union is the worst game out. Behind curling, which is actually cool because it's a novelty and not the snorefest that is Union. Not to mention, it helps women practice their sweeping skills. What does Union have to offer? Nothing. People criticise soccer for it's low scores and frequent scorelines of 2-1, 1-0 or 0-0, but Union is the only sport where I've seen games end without a team scoring a 'primary' goal (ie, a try).

Too often Union is three 'half-points' (penalties) to one 'half point'. At least in AFL, they're trying for a six-pointer, no Union team wants to get near the tryline, which is an embarrassment in itself, because scoring a try is literally the easiest thing to do in any sport. You simply have to, wait for it, FALL OVER A LINE. Despite this, these simpletons still **** it up:


8QlmMGeiXX0


Not to mention that unlike league, rah-rah is known as 'kick-and-clap' and Yawnion.

And yet the players in AFL can't even do something even easier than that: KICK A BALL STRAIGHT

It's quite simple: you look where you want to kick. You kick the ball that way. Being a professional league I would have assumed the players would have learnt this skill in the time they've been playing sport.

Also have you ever noticed AFL is an anagram of ALF?

They are both as enjoyable as each other.

And Alf was a ****ing shit show.

[[m]averick]

Agreed. Rugby League is awesome. It's so well loved that no one bothers to show up to watch.

The skillset required to play this game is laughable.

Throw ball backwards, run ten metres, get tackled.
Throw ball backwards, run ten metres, get tackled.
Throw ball backwards, run ten metres, get tackled.
Throw ball backwards, run ten metres, get tackled.
Throw ball backwards, kick it as high as you can, shut your eyes and try and catch it on your chest. If you drop it, fight like a pack of seagulls hovering around a chip.

(Note: throughout this period, known as a 'set', after getting tackled, it is optional, but preferable, to thrust your groin up-and-down, as apparently this quickly gets the player above you 'get off')

(Note 2: throughout this period, known as a 'set', while tackling or in the process of being tackled, it is optional, but preferable, to thrust a digit into the rectum of the opponent, see fig. 1)

Fig 1.
http://blogdorugby.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/rugby-proctologia.jpg

THERE IS NO SKILL. The one time something remotely exciting happened (Folau takes a semi-hanger, they cream themselves and replay it ad-nauseam, neglecting the fact this happens weekly in AFL)

These players are desperately sexually confused. Their game is basically one huge bout of homosexual foreplay, but then they are noted assaulters of women. I guess, when you spend most of the game with your head in between some blokes legs, you want him in the room with you when you take on a girl, in case you get confused as to what to do.

It is no coincidence that one of rugby league's greats is Johnny Raper. Immortalised.


They also always bring up the international aspect of the game when you dare criticise it. Fair enough, it's played overseas, AFL isnt. But dont go on and on about it as though any country actually gives a shit. Also, if you compare the codes you'll see proof no one gives a shit about NRL overseas.

Countries in which AFL is the number one sport: One (Australia)
Countries in which Rugby League is the number one sport: One (Papua New Guinea).

Fair enough.

[Readman]

Rugby Union pretty much only exists in Australia because the old school tie network in Sydney supports it. There is about zero interest outside of that - evidenced by the fact that they can't get a national competition up and running and Australia's Super <whatever> teams completely suck.

[FrozenSoul80]

Speed Chess. All other sports are for pussies.

[TAT]

And yet the players in AFL can't even do something even easier than that: KICK A BALL STRAIGHT
Kick an oval-shaped ball, dude. It's a lot harder than it looks

[[m]averick]

And yet the players in AFL can't even do something even easier than that: KICK A BALL STRAIGHT


You're arguing that kicking a ball straight is easier than falling over a line?

[Stevorooni]

NBA basketball. It's the only sport I can sit and watch and enjoy.

Anything else I have to have on in the background while I do something more interesting, glancing up occasionally.

[AranchineD]

averick;1148084']You're arguing that kicking a ball straight is easier than falling over a line?

It is when in the way of falling over a line are other people trying to stop you, while in AFL, even when given some free time with a "take all the time you need to set yourself up sweety, no-one will hassle you" kick they still somehow manage to kick it perpendicular to the direction of the goal posts.

[Jay]

That is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. But carry on.

[Fenrir]

Is this thread just for international team spectator-sports that one drinks and brawls to, or do awesome sports like martial arts and rock climbing count also?

Speed Chess. All other sports are for pussies.
^This.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

Throw ball backwards, run ten metres, get tackled.
Throw ball backwards, run ten metres, get tackled.
Throw ball backwards, run ten metres, get tackled.
Throw ball backwards, run ten metres, get tackled.

AFL -

Kick ball. Handball. Kick ball. Lose possession. Run around a bit trying to get ball back. Try to kick it through some giant white poles.

Cricket -

bowler: Throw ball. Catch/chase ball. Repeat.
batsmen: Hit ball. Run. Repeat.

Soccer -

Kick ball to team mates until you score or lose possession. Almost always the later. Repeat for eighty minutes.

Golf -

Hit small ball repeatedly until you put it in a hole. Repeat x 18 holes.

Sailing -

Sit around on a boat for a while.

Snooker -

Hit coloured balls into a pocket.

NBA -

Pass ball around, then throw at hoop with your fingers crossed.

It's easy to simplify sports down so that it gives the appearance that no skill is required to play it. The thing with rugby league that makes it skillful is that you only get six attempts at scoring/gaining decent ground per set, and you can only do this by throwing the ball backwards or chip kicking it (as a long kick will undoubtedly make you lose possession). With AFL you have to cover more ground, but you can kick/handball to whoever you desire an endless amount of times until you reach a position where you can score. When the teams are fairly even matched when you look at their positions on the field, it requires skill to break the line to gain possession or score.

Anyhoo, I think it's pretty obvious that Lawn Bowls is the best sport around.

[TAT]

Anyhoo, I think it's pretty obvious that Lawn Bowls is the best sport around.
It's not, but carry on

[AranchineD]

It's not, but carry on

This is one of the most uninformed opinions going around. But carry on.

[Filthy Old Drunk]

It's not, but carry on

It's the most wearing. Trust me, you put up with a plethora of half tanked old farts whining about the good old days, all the while trying to roll a wonky ball that turns like a mother ****er down a flat, fast surface with the aim of getting it the closest to a small white ball, which can move with a touch, surrounded by four or five other wonky looking balls without knocking out your teammates. Also, you have to put the mat you stand on on a white line. And you need to make sure your hands have some grippo otherwise those wonky suckers fall right outta your hand. And you have to stand out in the sun all day.

Forget AFL and all those other sports that require you to be in shape. Lawn bowls you can be as fat as a house and knock back five beers each end still be the best player on the day.

[Readman]

Forget AFL and all those other sports that require you to be in shape. Lawn bowls you can be as fat as a house and knock back five beers each end still be the best player on the day.

I'm not sure that this is a good thing...

[TAT]

Lawn bowls you can be as fat as a house and knock back five beers each end still be the best player on the day.
You're not onto something, but this is exactly why cricket in the year 2009 is shit

[Readman]

Why has nobody mentioned Dancesport yet?

[TAT]

Not a sport

[Readman]

Dancesport

[Lex]

I'm not sure that this is a good thing...

I'm pretty sure it's ****ing awesome.

Agree with everything maverick said. Moving from Victoria to Canberra, and getting called a ****** for supporting GAYFLHURRRRR, by people who participated in scrums and other such multi-man-ground-writhings - that really confused me as a lad.

[Zzz]

Dancesport

So guinea pigs are in fact even-toed ungulates within the family Suidae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig) from the region of Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea_(region))?

[Jay]

I'm a sports fan in general - will pretty much watch anything except horse racing and boxing - but I don't have much passion for Rugby League. I'll watch it, but I have trouble getting excited by it. In answer to the thread question, though, I'm going to nominate Football (of the round ball variety). But it is not my favourite sport. That is probably AFL, mainly because I was raised on it, understand it, live in the capital of it, and played it for 25 years until my broken body could no longer do it (and now miss it terribly).

I nominate Football because I read 'best' in a number of ways: as a spectator, as a participant, and also looking at the game as a global consumer product, and it truly is a global product. It's almost always exciting to watch, even when they don't score (in fact, those games are often the tightest). It is inclusive - the lack of tackling and severe body contact means that you don't have to be built like a brick shithouse to play it. And there is a beauty to the game that other games find difficult to match, I believe, a poetry, almost a dance (obviously not so much in the A-League, which is often more like a rural U12 Calisthenics comp than a dance, but you know what I mean :p ).

My visceral passion is with AFL (and cricket to a slightly lesser extent), but Football is the best game in the world. IMO.

[dinopoke]

Why has nobody mentioned Dancesport yet?

Because Artemis isn't here. :(

[Azzaman]

I'd have to vote, Basketball, then soccer, then afl, then badmington.

[proofreeder]

Thanks for playing everyone. The correct answer was in fact "football" aka "soccer". Congratulations to those of you who got it right, and for those that didn't, good effort anyway, chin up, you can't know the answer to everything :) Basketball came in second place Azzaman if that is any consolation.

[Readman]

So guinea pigs are in fact even-toed ungulates within the family Suidae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig) from the region of Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea_(region))?

Absolutely.

[buckstwits]

Whatever that gymnastics thing the ribbon is called

[TAT]

Thanks for playing everyone. The correct answer was in fact "football" aka "soccer".
**** off back to Europe you dropkick

[Lazlow]

Everyone who hated on Union is a raging f****t.

When it comes to League vs Union, League is a f***ing joke. Its less tactical, staccatic, the officiating is a abysmal and nearly everyone involved, from players to "personalities" tied to the game, are braindead morons. It has a World Cup no one gives a shit about. Its essentially a game of Red Rover/Bullrush with a ball thrown in, complete with scrums that are a complete waste of time.

Union is more tactical, free flowing, competitive on an international level, and generally more exciting. Australia has a rich successful history in the sport and any assertion that "our teams suck" is completely ignorant (its only the Reds that are dragging us down). Yes, we're not on top of the world, but I rather watch competitive games (like the recent one against Ireland) than dominations (like the recent one against Wales). Kicking has become a recent bugbear, one that received more than a few columns in the European press, but its far from ruining the game. Wilkinson nailing dropgoals is more the fault of the opposing side rather than the game.

AFL has gone gay. Its full of prima donnas, frequent rule changes and has softened dramatically over the years. Its free flowing nature has been neutered by over officiating... I used to hate the term aerial ping pong, but each year it becomes more appropriate. Which is why its hypocritical for anyone to level a similar criticism at Union. The recent stink the AFL has started to kick up over the World Cup bid has made me hate it more. Its bad enough its contradicts itself as the national game by being so Victorian-centric.

But the best sport is Mixed Martial Arts. A combat sport that combines all disciplines, that is (for the most part) free from the stench of corruption that plagues boxing. Its exciting to watch, unpredictable, and full of humble and likable characters.

Soccer is the worst. Its full of ridiculously over-payed mincey primadonnas, corruption, and idiotic fans. Its theatrics and hubris have ruined it as a reputable sport.

[Readman]

Holding the World Cup in Australia is the dumbest idea ever.

Yeah, let's invite the Europeans and South Americans to play their 'world game' and cancel half the season of the games people actually enjoy. Demetriou is absolutely right to oppose it and I hope he doesn't back down.

[Lazlow]

AFL/NRL seasons are only 8 weeks long?

Cry more.

[AranchineD]

ITT Readman names soccer fans in Australia "most worthless people in the country"

What is it with Australia and inventing it's own sports so we can sit smugly down under because no-one else plays it? "Hey, this is AUSTRALIAN rules buddy, **** off to your country, we grew here you flew here" "HEY GUYS WE RACE UTES DO YOU? No? Well you must be f*****s then, queers"

[Lazlow]

Sentiments shared by V8 Supertaxi fans.

[Azzaman]

**** off back to Europe you dropkick

I believe Eurotrash is the correct term ;)

[Readman]

AFL/NRL seasons are only 8 weeks long?

Cry more.

The World Cup would require stadiums to be out of action for 10 weeks.

[AranchineD]

So you mean for 10 weeks people would actually attend games at those stadiums? DAMN THOSE BASTARDS

[Readman]

The soccer phenomenon in Australia is just the latest expression of the cultural cringe.

[Lazlow]

The World Cup would require stadiums to be out of action for 10 weeks.

Boo hoo

[[m]averick]

So you mean for 10 weeks people would actually attend games at those stadiums? DAMN THOSE BASTARDS


Lollin. You do realise that the AFL has the fourth (2008, third) highest average attendance for a professional competition in the world, right?

[AranchineD]

The soccer phenomenon in Australia is just the latest expression of the cultural cringe.

Yes.

And?

averick;1148217']Lollin. You do realise that the AFL has the fourth (2008, third) highest average attendance for a professional competition in the world, right?

Do you realise that a World Cup involves other countries, and as such, would involve people from other countries attending?

BUT NAH M8. ONLY AUSSIES ALLOWED BRO

Also I'd imagine if Mr and Mrs Bogan weren't all having 8 kids each for the baby bonus the attendance at AFL games would be a whole lot lower.

[Readman]

Boo hoo

Demetriou isn't going to let it happen, so it's a moot point.


Yes.

And?

Great comeback.

[AranchineD]

Great comeback.

Oh...that was you're actual point? I was hoping you were going to expand it into a point that was actually, you know, relevant to why we shouldn't bring the World Cup here.

My mistake.

[Readman]

No, your mistake was forgoing radical facial plastic surgery.

[[m]averick]

Do you realise that a World Cup involves other countries, and as such, would involve people from other countries attending?

BUT NAH M8. ONLY AUSSIES ALLOWED BRO


This wasnt your original point.

[AranchineD]

No, your mistake was forgoing radical facial plastic surgery.

It gets me a number a jobs over the Christmas holidays which gives me some extra money, and I help the economy by being employed and contributing to society.

Just like bringing the World Cup here would help our economy also.

You really don't seem to know much about how a country's economy works, do you Readman?

[AranchineD]

averick;1148223']This wasnt your original point.

It sure wasn't. But I make it my duty to point out racism in society whenever it occurs, so I felt it was appropriate.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

The best sport is Hockey

[Readman]

You really don't seem to know much about how a country's economy works, do you Readman?

Apparently it has a lot to do with shutting down the most popular recreational activities in favour of something nobody cares about.

[AranchineD]

But you just said soccer is a cultural phenomenon in Australia at the moment, that would mean a lot of people would care.

Contradicting yourself like that Readman, it makes it hard to take anything you say seriously at all, and most certainly excludes your opinion from having any worth whatsoever.

[buckstwits]

How about they not have the NAB Cup and start the actual season in Feb. then hosting the world cup wouldn't matter.

[Lazlow]

Apparently it has a lot to do with shutting down the most popular recreational activities in favour of something nobody cares about.

Current records @ Stadium Australia

Soccer: 82,698 people watched Australia v Uruguay (total cap. 83,500) = 99% full

AFL: 72,393 people watched Sydney v Collingwood (total cap. 81,500) = 88% full

Yeah... nobody

EDIT:

Union: 83,418 watched Australia v New Zealand (total cap. 83,500) = 99.9% full :D



Docklands attendance records

Soccer: 55,436 people watched Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United

AFL: 54,444 people watched St Kilda Saints vs Geelong Cats

Rugby League: 54,833 people watched QLD v NSW

Union: 56,605 people watched Australia v British and Irish Lions

[TAT]

What is it with Australia and inventing it's own sports so we can sit smugly down under because no-one else plays it?
We had to invent a sport that wasn't completely ****ing gay

And you can't argue with a sport that can bring out more than 100,000 people for games in the same city over a weekend.

EDIT: [m]av actually provided stats, so I guess my work here is done

[Readman]

Contradicting yourself like that Readman, it makes it hard to take anything you say seriously at all, and most certainly excludes your opinion from having any worth whatsoever.

I never thought of it like that ... what ... what if I have always been wrong??!

My world is collapsing around me!!

[TAT]

Docklands attendance records

Soccer: 55,436 people watched Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United

AFL: 54,444 people watched St Kilda Saints vs Geelong Cats

Rugby League: 54,833 people watched QLD v NSW

Union: 56,605 people watched Australia v British and Irish Lions
WWF Global Warning, 2002: 56,700.

suck it

[Lazlow]

Wrong thread :D

[AranchineD]

I never thought of it like that ... what ... what if I have always been wrong??!

My world is collapsing around me!!

Good to see you seeing the error of your ways, perhaps now you can rebuilt yourself as someone that can actually contribute to society.

Also TAT I already addressed that the majority of people who attend AFL games are of such low standard that American rednecks would be considered classier, any crowd number involving these people, and any valuing of the sport as a result of these figures, is entirely worthless.

[Jay]

@ TAT

Also, not a sport. *runs lest he be hit over the head with a plastic chair and forced into a sleeper hold...*

[FrozenSoul80]

This thread is shit, it needs more Speed Chess.

StnAGJDBjfo

[TAT]

Also TAT I already addressed that the majority of people who attend AFL games are of such low standard that American rednecks would be considered classier, any crowd number involving these people, and any valuing of the sport as a result of these figures, is entirely worthless.
Sorry, chum, but AFL crowds have an impeccable safety record and decidedly non-violent reputation. In fact, to my knowledge the only time a situation even resembling a riot has broken out was when the lights went out at Waverly.

([m]av, do you want to correct me on this? >__>)

[TAT]

@ TAT

Also, not a sport. *runs lest he be hit over the head with a plastic chair and forced into a sleeper hold...*
If Dancesport is a sport (which it's not), then by God, professional wrestling is!

[Serenity]

http://thesportsunion.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/BeachVolleyball-1.jpg
http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/beach_volleyball_49.jpg
http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/92785_beach-volley19.jpg
I think it's safe to say beach volleyball should be up there. :p

[Jay]

Sorry, chum, but AFL crowds have an impeccable safety record and decidedly non-violent reputation. In fact, to my knowledge the only time a situation even resembling a riot has broken out was when the lights went out at Waverly.

([m]av, do you want to correct me on this? >__>)

Nathan Jones father might disagree with there.

Though you are correct in general terms - crowd violence is the exception, not the rule. Though the same can be said for Football fans these days too.

[AranchineD]

Sorry, chum, but AFL crowds have an impeccable safety record and decidedly non-violent reputation. In fact, to my knowledge the only time a situation even resembling a riot has broken out was when the lights went out at Waverly.

([m]av, do you want to correct me on this? >__>)

Sorry buddy but I wasn't referring to violence or anything at games, I was referring to the people themselves who attend AFL games being uncultured plebs who in the long term will not give anything to society and so do not deserve to be counted.

[Serenity]

Sorry buddy but I wasn't referring to violence or anything at games, I was referring to the people themselves who attend AFL games being uncultured plebs who in the long term will not give anything to society and so do not deserve to be counted.

One could say that about the Canterbury Bulldogs supporters as well...>_>

[Jay]

Sorry buddy but I wasn't referring to violence or anything at games, I was referring to the people themselves who attend AFL games being uncultured plebs who in the long term will not give anything to society and so do not deserve to be counted.

I'm in the trenches with you on this one, Aran, but you've just punched me in the face. I go to AFL matches. I like to think of myself as someone who deserves to be counted. Most of the time.

[AranchineD]

I'm sorry Jay but if that's the way things are that's the way things are, as leader of the Australian cell of the Anti AFL Alliance I can make no concession, for friend and foe alike.

[Lazlow]

Just want to rebut something Readman said on page 1;

Rugby Union pretty much only exists in Australia because the old school tie network in Sydney supports it. There is about zero interest outside of that

Doesn't really explain the successful expansion into Western Australia, and the average attendance of 23,000 they receive - 15% higher than the national average. They also have the largest membership base of all the Australia Super rugby teams.

There is also the addition in 2011 of the Melbourne Rebels to the Super rugby competition.

Nationally, Super 14 average attendances have been down 5,000 in the last 4 years but that's in tune with the World Cup cycle. Plus that's still 5,000 better than NRL's average attendance.

[Serenity]

May I be vice-president, Aran? :D

[AranchineD]

Well, this increases our membership count by 100%. Great results all round.

[Serenity]

Excellent. Now to start recruiting. Shall I do the posters?

[Dunkurtin]

Put me down as a football supporter. Also for the "AFL supporters are hopeless bogans" line of thought. >_>


http://thesportsunion.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/BeachVolleyball-1.jpg
http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/beach_volleyball_49.jpg
http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/92785_beach-volley19.jpg
I think it's safe to say beach volleyball should be up there. :p

Indeed it should be, though once i stop thinking with my dick i'd have to say hard court is a bit better most of the time. Can be pretty extreme at times.

Also love MMA, so much better than boxing. And Badminton is a massively under appreciated sport, never realised how hardcore it can be till i met my mates brother who used to play professionally.

[Lazlow]

Shall I do the posters?


Who? Us? >_>

[Dunkurtin]

May I be vice-president, Aran? :D

I wish to apply for the position of Junior Vice-president.

[Serenity]

Who? Us? >_>

I'll see what I can do. Or rather, who.

[AranchineD]

See who? Who you can do? Well there's only one answer to that.

http://uyac.com.au/forum/images/smilies/freddy_mercury1.gif

[Queenie]

Everyone who hated on Union is a raging f****t.

When it comes to League vs Union, League is a f***ing joke. Its less tactical, staccatic, the officiating is a abysmal and nearly everyone involved, from players to "personalities" tied to the game, are braindead morons. It has a World Cup no one gives a shit about. Its essentially a game of Red Rover/Bullrush with a ball thrown in, complete with scrums that are a complete waste of time.

Union is more tactical, free flowing, competitive on an international level, and generally more exciting. Australia has a rich successful history in the sport and any assertion that "our teams suck" is completely ignorant (its only the Reds that are dragging us down). Yes, we're not on top of the world, but I rather watch competitive games (like the recent one against Ireland) than dominations (like the recent one against Wales). Kicking has become a recent bugbear, one that received more than a few columns in the European press, but its far from ruining the game. Wilkinson nailing dropgoals is more the fault of the opposing side rather than the game.

AFL has gone gay. Its full of prima donnas, frequent rule changes and has softened dramatically over the years. Its free flowing nature has been neutered by over officiating... I used to hate the term aerial ping pong, but each year it becomes more appropriate. Which is why its hypocritical for anyone to level a similar criticism at Union. The recent stink the AFL has started to kick up over the World Cup bid has made me hate it more. Its bad enough its contradicts itself as the national game by being so Victorian-centric.

But the best sport is Mixed Martial Arts. A combat sport that combines all disciplines, that is (for the most part) free from the stench of corruption that plagues boxing. Its exciting to watch, unpredictable, and full of humble and likable characters.

Soccer is the worst. Its full of ridiculously over-payed mincey primadonnas, corruption, and idiotic fans. Its theatrics and hubris have ruined it as a reputable sport.

while i have no opinion on rugby, except that it's better than american football, as I have absolutely no idea about the game, i completely agree with everything else in the post.

[proofreeder]

**** off back to Europe you dropkick

God people have shit for brains. Do you realise how many African nations (not to mention every other continent) love the game of football? But your brain can't split a prejudice into two different categories can it?

[Lazlow]

Wops & Dagos.

:cool:

[TAT]

God people have shit for brains. Do you realise how many African nations (not to mention every other continent) love the game of football? But your brain can't split a prejudice into two different categories can it?
First opponent in Sensible Soccer -- CAMEROON

[Lazlow]

Cameron? I LOVE THAT GUY!

[proofreeder]

First opponent in Sensible Soccer -- CAMEROON

Your worldliness from Sensible Soccer amazes me.

And Lazlow... is that a joke? Cameroon is Cameron with a letter missing. Yes. God...

[grimace06]

The World Game is my favourite sport - don't know if you could say one is "the best".

[Gee_Yai_Bro]

frequent rule changes and has softened dramatically over the years.
Same should be said for League and Union.
Agreed that scrums in league are a waste of time but overall it is a more enjoyable game to watch. Yes you could consider them "braindead morons" but Union wouldn't be much different if drop-goals and penalty kicks were only worth 1/2 points respectively.
The State of Origin gets a pretty big following over here too and is the only time you'd ever see me supporting anything aussie with the exception of John Wayne Parr in Contender.


But the best sport is Mixed Martial Arts. A combat sport that combines all disciplines, that is (for the most part) free from the stench of corruption that plagues boxing. Its exciting to watch, unpredictable, and full of humble and likable characters.

^There. A couple of years ago I would have said kickboxing (though Muay Thai still has its place) but yeah, MMA has definitly taken over the show

[Lazlow]

Yes you could consider them "braindead morons" but Union wouldn't be much different if drop-goals and penalty kicks were only worth 1/2 points respectively.

Only when they started recruiting League players :D

Sorry but watching the same repetitive run-at-the-line game that is League is boring as hell. Union's very nature means there's more to consider resulting in more varied and tactical play. Even the nature of the ruck leads to more frequent possession changes.

I guess this is why its World Cup is one of the largest international sporting events, and the League World Cup is an after thought.

[Ad-Rock]

My vote goes for cricket.

You have to be able to function well individually and as a team member.
It takes intense concentration for long periods of time. One mistake can be far more costly than in many other sports.
The mental side of the game is HUGE!
The skills required to succeed are incredible - as a batsman you can face balls which appear blurred or basically invisible.
You need to be very fit to play successfully. (for example, Peter Siddle had run 6 km and walked another 2 km in the first hour and a half of a day of test cricket against the windies).
Its very character building for young kids and teaches great hand-eye coordination and concentration skills.

[sausage]

League's alright when Billy "Woopsy-daisy" Slater plays NZ.

But anything that shows long, lingering ass and tit shots of women in their physical prime gets my vote; particularly womens gymnastics, track and field events (love those super-slo-mo's) and like Serenity (saucy minx) posted, Beach Volleyball; but only if the chicks have decent tits, not flat-chested beanpoles.

Think that's it.

[[m]averick]

Doesn't really explain the successful expansion into Western Australia, and the average attendance of 23,000 they receive - 15% higher than the national average. They also have the largest membership base of all the Australia Super rugby teams.

There is also the addition in 2011 of the Melbourne Rebels to the Super rugby competition.

Nationally, Super 14 average attendances have been down 5,000 in the last 4 years but that's in tune with the World Cup cycle. Plus that's still 5,000 better than NRL's average attendance.


How's the ratings for Super 14. You guys cracked 100 000 yet?


You need to be very fit to play successfully. (for example, Peter Siddle had run 6 km and walked another 2 km in the first hour and a half of a day of test cricket against the windies).


Agree. Totally agree.

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01359/Dwayne-Leverock-ge_1359896i.jpg

[TAT]

You need to be very fit to play successfully.

lol

Great Aussie test cricketers of the 80s/90s:

shane warne
david boon
merve hughes
mark tubby taylor

[sausage]

Geez I saw Mark Taylor on Nine's tea break yesterday on the last day...

WHAT A FAT BASTARD.

[Lazlow]

How's the ratings for Super 14. You guys cracked 100 000 yet?


An all-time record 324,000 viewers watched the NSW Waratahs succumb to the Canterbury Crusaders in Live: Rugby Union: S14 Final. Easily the highest rating ever for the competition, interest in Super 14 has grown significantly in 2008 with total audiences for the competition up 20% compared to 2007.

Not bad for a competition locked into a 10 year deal with Foxtel. >_<

[Jay]

@ sausage

So much bitterness.

[Lazlow]

Cricket is boring as hell btw. 20Twenty was the best thing to happen to cricket, it actually made it entertaining.

[sausage]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/2146127109_2572a32071.jpg

[Ad-Rock]

lol

Great Aussie test cricketers of the 80s/90s:

shane warne
david boon
merve hughes
mark tubby taylor

Warne has had to trim down and work on his fitness to keep playing, and now he is only competing in the shortest version of the game.

The rest of them wouldn't cut it today, but I guarantee that they weren't as unfit as their silhouettes would have suggested.

EDIT: imo cricket can't be boring if you understand the intricacies of the game. But each to their own, I guess.

[[m]averick]

Look, I agree that cricket is a great sport, but using fitness as one of the parameters is nonsense. Warne hasnt had to trim down to keep playing, he's trimmed down because he wants to. This was a man who stood at first slip all day and had a seven pace walk-up to deliver the ball.

I'll grant you Merv Hughes, he wouldve had to trim down a bit to excel today, but the others would be able to play today at their playing weight of ten years ago.

Besides, in regards to fast bowling, you dont need a massive run-up to bowl fast. Compare Brett Lee to Kemar Roach. Roach is getting speeds of 153km/h off not much more than a medium pacer's run-up.

And, yes, despite my love of Test cricket, there are large portions of the game that are extremely boring. There are few things more boring than a Brett Lee maiden over. Takes about two minutes for him to walk up, turn, run in, keep running, almost there, batsman shoulders arms to a 140km/h skidding pie.

[Lazlow]

I understand the intricacies of cricket to a degree, it's still boring. Its one of those sports where the enjoyment is had in participation not watching it. Same with Golf. I'll play cricket, I'll play golf, but f***ed if I'll sit down and spend a day or more watching it.

20Twenty at least sped it up, made them take more risks and gave you a result within a 2-3 hour telecast. A 5 day test is the epitome of sporting torture.

[Azzaman]

I understand the intricacies of cricket to a degree, it's still boring. Its one of those sports where the enjoyment is had in participation not watching it. Same with Golf. I'll play cricket, I'll play golf, but f***ed if I'll sit down and spend a day or more watching it.

I feel the same way with rugby and american football.

I also think Tennis is a horrible spectator sport. Boring as.

[Lazlow]

Women's tennis on the other hand :D

[Slippery]

Tennis is one of the only sports I actually enjoy watching, womens obv is my pref

[Filthy Old Drunk]

I'm really glad One HD is showing the NFL because I've always wanted to watch it (I watch the SBS coverage of the Superbowl every year). Yeah, the excessive stoppages can be annoying at times, but it's quite an interesting game. I think it helps that the commentators are far better at breaking down what exactly is going on than the Rugby League for example.

The most boring sport to watch for me is any sort of iron man, triathlete, surf ski, running, cycling etc. etc. B.S.

[AranchineD]

Women's tennis on the other hand :D

If only Ana Ivanovic was a really good player, instead of appearing to have been a brief flash in the pan. :(

[Jay]

Ana Ivanovic flashed where? Is there a youtube vid of this?

[AranchineD]

Nay. It is an image that exists only within my head.


...



:D

[dimorphic]

I'm a Roosters fan, but;


ZFYNcpPf3dk

End thread!

[Lazlow]

ysjr0IspY_M

Simply the most brilliant man to ever run with a ball into a pack of angry men. :D


EDIT:

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[dimorphic]

NFL comes second;

m2oI-FSeCzg

Spent a bit of time making that.

[[m]averick]

If we're doing highlights, then soccer wins. There's nothing better than a soccer montage. This comes close though:


LCjpOf33kHI


YvJJRWLw2GA


Ive never seen a man so dominate without any protection from umpires. Better than Ablett, easily. Ablett's lowlight reel would be almost as long as his highlight reel. Not to mention that outside of the '89 grand final, Ablett was an absolute passenger in Geelong's grand finals.

[Azzaman]

I should add to what I said last, I find Rugby and NFL good to watch if one team is absolutely steamrolling the other, you just see some awesome moves if that happens, but if the d is good the play just grinds to a halt.

I still hate watching tennis though.

[JimmyKane]

They're all shit.

[StorminNorman]

I think it's safe to say beach volleyball should be up there. :p

I find it really hard to disagree with the notion that Women's Beach Volleyball is the best sport in the world.

I'm a massive cricket lover, from a long line of massive cricket lovers (one of my ancestors played for Australia in the second-ever Test at the MCG), and it's still the sport I love the most.

That said, the way Cricket is presented on TV in Australia is desperately, embarrassingly uncool. The only remotely socially acceptable way to enjoy cricket (other than being there) is via the radio coverage (this is because the ABC is required by its charter to be cool).

If some other network (OneHD, perhaps) could wrest Cricket out of Channel 9's hands and bring the coverage of it into the 21st Century, it might be cool to watch it on TV again.

[Serenity]

averick;1148458']If we're doing highlights, then soccer wins. There's nothing better than a soccer montage. This comes close though:


LCjpOf33kHI


YvJJRWLw2GA


Ive never seen a man so dominate without any protection from umpires. Better than Ablett, easily. Ablett's lowlight reel would be almost as long as his highlight reel. Not to mention that outside of the '89 grand final, Ablett was an absolute passenger in Geelong's grand finals.

North of the Tweed we only answer to one king.

BvpiGoUHznw

[Super Mario]

Tiger is The King m8

[[m]averick]

North of the Tweed we only answer to one king.

BvpiGoUHznw



Lol, what the **** was that?


Anyway, got any highlights of this so-called king for me to watch? All he does is tackle and throw the ball in the one you posted. In all seriousness, NRL highlights have got to be the lamest thing ever. He literally does nothing exciting in that clip.

[Lazlow]

35O5tTU7LeM

[Serenity]

I'll see what I can find on The King. There appeared to be a montage on there but there's no audio. Don't expect me to load it though, I'm still on dialup.

Ea7BYpPvrBA

[/backslash]

Cricket has fallen apart in the last 5 years or so with no more characters of the game and a captain who's trying too hard to be Steve Waugh. I fully support the abolishment of all test cricket for more 20/20 matches.
Yeah, the introduction of Powerplays makes it silly imo but I don't support more 20/20 matches. Those 20/20 matches were fine when it was just a rare occurance, like maybe 10 games a year, country vs country but now its all made up of 'All-Star' teams & cheerleaders & fireworks, its like watching NFL & even when a team does have a bunch of supposably 'awesome' players they always bat like crap. I used to love cricket at one stage but now I don't really know anymore :(

[TAT]

hose 20/20 matches were fine when it was just a rare occurance, like maybe 10 games a year, country vs country but now its all made up of 'All-Star' teams & cheerleaders & fireworks, its like watching NFL
I know! How awesome is it?!~

[/backslash]

Not awesome at all :p

[dalmatian]

No sport comes close to the intensity and excitement of Ice Hockey (NHL).

Just have a look at these clips

Evgeni Malkin (23 year old Russian superstar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7UldNDoFZo


For those that like the ol'Biffo. Still the only major sport in the world that condones fighting in game all ya get for breaking someones jaw is a 5 minute major. God bless hockey :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_porHhtlmA

[grimace06]

No sport comes close to the intensity and excitement of Ice Hockey (NHL).

Just have a look at these clips

Evgeni Malkin (23 year old Russian superstar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7UldNDoFZo


For those that like the ol'Biffo. Still the only major sport in the world that condones fighting in game all ya get for breaking someones jaw is a 5 minute major. God bless hockey :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_porHhtlmA

Ice Hockey joins Rugby Union as a cretin sport :p

[Kao]

Baseball

[IRS]

Mixed Martial Arts


It is the purest form of competition we have. It puts individuals against each other technically, physically, strategically and psychologically, which allows for you to feel involvement for the fighters and enjoy the diversity and creativity the ruleset allows.

[Lazlow]

RIP Rio Heroes :(