For Americans of a certain age, this is how the game found so many of us.
I never knew that the 50 metre arc was in part created for international broadcasts. Not sure how I feel about that. Interestingly enough, they mention Sheedy as being one of the first coaches to use it strategically.
The first Grand Final shown live was 1983 (oops). I can’t remember which one it was, but I know I watched an Essendon-Hawthorn grand final at some point at either age 7 or 8 without knowing anything, other than I distinctly remember “not liking the brown and yellow team”.
Little did I know 30 years later just how much that “other” team would factor into my adult life. It was just coincidence that when I started dating my wife that it was all an excuse to get on my in-laws’ good side that they happened to be Essendon people.
A great read. Hopefully once dazn takes over foxtel we can get the game being broadcast in America again. There is no chance with the Murdoch’s and their strong bias towards the English game of rugby league (even worse since Lachlan took over), so the change away from them will hopefully be helpful.
Having lived in the U.S. myself (funnily enough Bristol CT) and having introduced friends and in laws to the game, they loved it, coz it’s so unique and fast.
Obviously Australia being an international minnow it will never fully get the attention it deserves to make a real impact. But it’s worthwhile creating a niche fan base in the U.S. and other countries, by making the games more accessible oversees.