It’s been a challenging period for a lot of sports in recent times. Besides the AFL, many other sports saw games postponed or canceled, some even decided to finish seasons early. The onset of the Coronavirus pandemic ensured difficulties worldwide and left sports fans groaning in despair.
Those who followed the AFL were suddenly left with a big void in their lives. Many turned to different pastimes where possible due to numerous restrictions in place. Cooking at home became extremely popular, and more and more people began to try their luck at online slots games to pass the time. If you are going to be at home, why not make your time more fun, and the possibility of winning some extra cash always helps!
But as time has gone on, thankfully, things have begun to resume in some normal fashion. Games have taken place, schedules have been made out, fans are allowed to go to the games again. For supporters, the sense of loss they had without the sport in their lives finally seems to be fading.
Yet what keeps the fans so keen on the AFL? Australia is a massive country with a wide range of sports available to the public to choose from. So what exactly is involved that sways the people in the direction of this type of football?
The Camaraderie
You just can’t beat a good football game. Other sports may try but the buzz is just too good. The scenario revolving around the teams, players, fans, and cities, just gets everyone worked up into a state of frenzy. Some rivalries may be fiercer than others but you can rest assured whatever game is on, the atmosphere will be electric.
Supporters tend to have good banter amongst each other. There is always fun to be had, whether you are at the game, or watching it in a bar or casino with a good crowd. Songs are sung, favorably about your own team, and not so favorably about the opposing team.
Opposition players can also attack, but this is all part of the game. The mood is usually cordial as everyone tries to have fun watching their favorite sport. Win or lose, as long as the games are entertaining, people tend to leave happy.
Local pride can also play a big part in these games. Despite not being a world-renowned sport, the passion felt by Australians can reach a fever pitch when the games come around. No one wants to go to work after a weekend when your team has lost badly, and there is a lot of pressure on the players to perform well.
Getting Involved More
Fancy yourself as having more knowledge than your friends? Or even some of the coaches? Well, the opportunity is there within this sport to prove yourself right! Fans like to get involved even more by taking part in fantasy football leagues, which basically means selecting your own players for a team and accumulating points throughout the season.
Tough decisions to drop players, or change players, for example, can only be made by you as the season progresses. It’s great fun to play, whether between friends, work colleagues, or tournaments locally or nationwide.
If you don’t know much about it, be sure to look into the various games that are on offer. They will go into detail to explain how the game works, and you will be up and running in no time.
The Era of Social Media
Everyone is joined up to some form of social media these days. So why should your AFL experience be any different? The AFL has been trying hard to find a way to connect with fans on a more personal level and pursuing an active presence on social media appears to be the way forward.
During the recent tough period for the sport, the AFL launched a social media campaign to keep the fans entertained. In the times when games were taking place yet, fans couldn’t actually attend, it boosted everyone’s spirits to know they could still get involved. They cheered on in spirit, and let the teams know they were still there for them. The good times would be back, and they were making the best of what they could.
Betting on the Games
Its often said that betting and sports go hand in hand. Well, of course, the AFL is no different. Whether having a bet with your mates or going to your local bookmakers, having a bet on the matches can only add to the excitement for you.
The multitude of options available with betting on the AFL makes it appealing for Australians to have a go at it. However, as the sport is not well known outside Australia, betting is one area that could increase interest in the sport to grow around the world. The AFL would love to gain fans from across the globe to help boost its profile even more.
Extensive T.V. Coverage
As if there wasn’t even coverage of sports on the T.V., the fact supporters could go to the games and mingle in bars, etc always added a degree of sociability to the sport. However, once the lockdowns started, the AFL saw an even greater rise in support for the game, as people were stuck indoors.
Fans were eager for their fix of any news or updates on the sport, while people who may not have been interested before suddenly found themselves glued to the T.V. as developments unfolded.
They remained highly entertained as the actual activity of live sport was presented to them as they remained safely in the comfort of their own homes. While it wasn’t the ideal scenario, the coverage afforded the sport on the T.V. made the lockdowns a bit more bearable for the majority of people.
Summary
In a country where there are so many sports for fans to choose from, the AFL still rules the roost. Supporters did well to get through the uninspiring times they faced during the pandemic and indeed the sport itself has recovered to become even more popular with the fans.
People miss the good times that come when you are a follower of a sport. It can help bring people closer together. Many choose to get their love and knowledge of the game further by getting involved in fantasy football, a true test of their managerial skills.
The advent of social media has made banter between the fans easier and news more accessible regarding the sport. Supporters also like to engage in betting on the games which makes it fun and ensures the game’s popularity. While the amount of sport on T.V. may have reached saturation point, the demand is still there and shows no sign of waning.
