Rules
Australian rules football is a sport that is played with a prolate spheroid shaped ball between two teams of 22 players, of which 18 a side are on the playing field. The playing field is a large oval-shaped field. In Finland and in other European countries the sport is being played with 9 a side teams, on regular soccer fields. A Match in Finland consists of four quarters of 15 minutes each.
On both ends of an Australian rules football field there are four goal posts, and the objective of the game is to kick the ball between the two long posts in the middle. This is called a "goal", and it is worth six points. A kick between a long and a short post is called a "behind", and it is worth one point. There is no offside rule in the game, and the ball can be advanced by carrying, punching (called a "handball") or kicking, but throwing is not allowed. Blocking or tackling an opponent is legal, and tough physical contests over possession of the ball are among the game's key features.
Another key feature of the sport is a situation known as a "mark". When a player catches the ball in the air when it has been kicked for over 15 metres, the player who has cathed the ball is awarded a free kick, which makes catching the ball in mid-air strategically important. Spectacular marking contests, along with the speed and physicality of the game make Australin rules football an enjoyable spectator sport.
History
Footy in Australia
Australian rules football is extremely popular in in Australia. Australian rules football is the predominant winter sport in South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Victoria.
The most prestigious competition in the sport is the Australian Football League, or AFL. AFL is also the sport's governing body. In 2008 AFL games had a cumulative attendance of 7,083,015, a record for the competition and an average attendance of 38,295. AFL games have the fourth-highest average attendances in the world for a domestic outdoor professional league in any sport, and third amongst all football codes.
Footy in Finland
Australian rules football in Finland is controlled by the Finland AFL, who formed in 2006 after the creation of Finland's first Australian football club around a year earlier. Domestic matches began in 2007 with two teams, the Helsinki Heatseekers and Salo Juggernauts. A third team, the Espoo Roos was created in 2008 but only lasted one season due to lack of numbers and the remaining players joined the Helsinki team, but there are plans to revive Espoo in the future. A third stand alone club, the Turku Dockers, was formed in late 2008 by Australian Ex-pats Craig Primmer and Grant Siermans. During the 2010 season, Helsinki players Mika Kupila and Kaj Karlsson who study in Vaasa decided to create a team in the city, the Vaasa Wombats, and they are hoping to join the league in 2011.
The FAFL plays the European style Australian football which is played on soccer or American football fields and consists of 15 players on each team, with nine on the field and six on the interchange. The FAFL plays 15 minute quarters and also has a 40 metre scoring zone where all scores must be made from.
The Finland Icebreakers are the representative Australian rules football team of Finland, formerly known as the Finnish Lions. They have twice won the Central European AFL Championships, going back-to-back in 2006 and 2007. While the team was started by Australian expatriates, it has been captained by a Finn ever since the 2nd match. Captains have included Kimmo Heikkilä, Jani Saarinen, Fredrik Romar and Ville Koivunen. The Icebreakers are now almost exclusively Finns.