Deportiva

We're in the midst of fall sports madness, complete with baseball playoffs, BCS poll shifting and NFL drama. But I'd be remiss to not discuss the Aussie sports scene. Both Grand Finals (AFL and NRL) took place a few weeks back, which marks the end of footy season and the beginning of cricket and basketball. A good thing for summer to arrive, but difficult to get too excited for those two.

It's a strange one, sports Down Under. Not sure if there's just other stuff happening or not strong enough fan bases in the big cities, but seems like a pretty tame scene in comparison to the U.S. (and I lived in Southern California!). I don't mind the sports too much....NRL is sorta like our football, just a bunch of laterals and no pads. And no dancing when they score, a good thing! AFL, otherwise known as Aussie Rules, is a strange one. Think one part soccer, one part trying to score a field goal while running and another part kill the carrier. It's like other sports but unlike any others. Fans in Melbourne seem to like it, so maybe I just need to spend some more time there.

Basketball is basketball, just without the polish and illegitimate kids of the NBA. Cricket isn't exactly a high-octane sport, but seems like it could be a good drinking game.

The common thread with these sports is that while people seem invested in the big games and their teams, it feels like America truly treats sport as religion sometimes. At times it can be a bit scary, but other times, it can bring people together. My colleague was confused how I called home after the Giants went to the Super Bowl last year b/c her family doesn't have that same common thread. I do miss that a bit, but thanks to ESPN I can still get my fill....without the tailgating.

By the way, that is one tradition I will introduce to Australia before it's all said and done. I've already imported beer pong, tailgating is next!