On a humid September afternoon, there is nothing better than a game of footy. My friends recently joined a local team and decided to drag me out to their match, imploring me to write a story for the local campus paper.
This was no ordinary football game. Australian rules football is a recent development in Columbus and the fever is spreading. Members come from varying areas across Columbus, several from OSU. Chet Ridenour, 26, Coach of the Jackaroos, has a goal for the club next summer to start a local Metro League, with his own Ohio State team. “This is bigger than a couple of guys playing backyard football,” he said.
From looks alone, the sport resembles a potpourri of soccer, basketball, rugby football and ultimate Frisbee. Players score through 4 goal posts set up at either end of a field 198 by 140 yards. They kick, toss, fumble, tackle and block at an exhausting pace. Feet are usually flying in the air at some point. One poor bastard is slammed to the ground or others dance around the mark, waiting to see if he misses the catch.
Ridenour found his niche and thanks to veteran footy players, Australian rules enthusiasts, and Facebook, the team is up to 30 members and growing. His Jackaroos, slang for Australian cowboys, live by the motto, “fake it ‘til you make it,” playing for the friendly competition and training for the next local scrimmage.
The Jackaroos are not afraid to be honest when addressing the brutality of the sport, or the intricacies that lead to its appeal. “Aussie rules is the most skill full football code on earth,” said Brian Turpie, 41, umpire and veteran player. A player, on average kicks a pass of 70 yards, runs miles a game and jumps for most catches. Umpires protect players on the team from severe injury and scuffles, but the mark, or the receiver of a catch may not be so lucky. “Unlike the NFL, here you can take the runner out!” Turpie said.
But the team is about more than footy. Players consider other teammates “true blues,” reliable as battle-field comrades. Scott “Scooter” Matheson, 23, an Australian native and recent OSU graduate, said, “It’s just a good time. The same guy you’re fighting with is the same guy you’re buying a beer for afterwards.” That camaraderie traces the sport back to its Australian roots.
I spent the majority of my time with these fellows chatting with them at Byrne’s pub, downing a few lagers and dissecting offensive tactics. Most of them giggled their way through, but others didn’t cease to amuse and tiltilate with facts about this violent but culture-laden sport.
Chris “Pig Dog” Parsley, 42, a boxing instructor, fleshed out this true blue idea further for me, “In footy you have several defender positions, and no goalie. We’re all out there looking out for one another and how we can make sure one of our guys gets the ball.” His nickname is also a result. “In context it makes sense,” he said, “I play like a dog hunting a pig!”
The Jackaroos can be found practicing Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 P.M. at the Turf Fields or Beekman Park, or at Byrne’s Pub, the local Irish Tavern Thursdays after practice. Find then online at www.columbusfooty.com, or come in person to check it out and play some footy.
Tags: Australian rules, footy
