its a footy match, not a bull fight.

death on the footy field is not what fans want to see - they want to see their team play  duh!

 here is an interesting study  now tell me again that my chosen sport is dangerous

http://www.nisu.flinders.edu.au/pubs/reports/2007/injcat103.pdf

Pretty violent display don't you think Pepe?

no i don't think footy is violent.

In 2004–05, there were 14,147 hospitalisations resulting from injuries received while playing some form of football. This represented 30.6% of all sports and leisure-related hospitalisations during this period.

Not violent well where did the injuries come from ?

14,147 hospitalisations  in a single year???

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@poddster wrote:

22 grown men fighting over an inflated bit of pigskin  to be put between 2 upright sticks at one end or the other, and when that is done half the people cheer and then it is taken back to the middle of the field and the fight starts all over again.

 

Is that all there is to it?

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No.

If you see a game between two teams who are well matched with physical skills, mental agility comes into it. It can be like a chess match with an elegance of thought and a fluidity of form akin to ballet. In AFL at least. I have not seen any other form of football for an entire game.

For the spectator there is plenty to it. A form of social bonding with their mates. A bond between parents and kids; remembering their first match as they take their children out to theirs, in turn. Friendly rivalry with opposition fans on the way to the game.

The roar of the crowd, becoming as one and forgetting their everyday problems. 

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@poddster wrote:

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@am*3 wrote:

Can you not accept other people have different interests to yours?

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Of course I can, and what makes you think differently?

The 22 on the field are getting exercise but what of the thousands of others who sit or stand and watch?

 

That was my question , what motivates them?

 

The chance if seeing an injury or death perhaps?

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maybe a chance to see their heroes in the flesh, and an opportunity to get their siggie

Not to forget the after-match drunken punch-ups, that would be pretty memorable 🙂

There is no need to demean what is not to your personal taste. I have yet to see any drunken punchups. Drinking is quite moderate at the AFL. It is in the main a family event.