Gungahlin Jets

I played my first ever game of Aussie rules on Sunday!

Ben texted me on Wednesday last week saying they were short on players for his footy team the Jets and needed a ruck man. I thought he must be desperate if he was asking someone that has never played before (apart from kick to kick) and doesn't even know all the rules! So I decided to help him out. After training once on Thursday to get a feel, I was thrust into the game on Sunday with little clue as to what I was doing! After a half of seemingly running around in circles I was able to understand my role a little more and started to get a bit more involved. I got a few touches, won a few centre bounces and boundary throw ins and got one big kick!

They all seemed happy to have me there as there aren't many players around as tall as me, so centre bounces and boundary throw ins I had the advantage (you cant teach height!). Although feeling way out of my depth, they seemed to think I did a good job. I'm still unsure whether they were just being polite because I was new. We lost to the top team by 40 something.

It was strange playing a sport at a decent level but feeling so out of place. I'm used to basketball where although I might not be the best player on the court, I always had control over what I did and understood what I was capable of and how to contribute. But with footy it was learning to walk again. I felt like I should have been better (I know that sounds silly, its hard to explain) than I was even though I hadn't really touched the strangely shaped ball before.

It was fun learning and experiencing a new game although just for a short time. It was also interesting to see how another sport is played and coached. What I really noticed was the amount of camaraderie and communication out on the field. In basketball you primarily follow the direction of the coach on the sidelines. Communication is important within the group on court but you always have regular time outs, stoppages or subs to discuss tactics. Where in footy you are basically on your own for the entire quarter having to sort out things on the fly. Talk and encouragement being imperative and something I was really impressed with during the game concidering the boys  have yet to notch a win with only 1 game to play this season.

Even though I have excelled at one sport, doing a completely different one, being out of my comfort zone and feeling like just an average joe at best, was a good, interesting but strangely frustrating experience for me.

Makes me want to be better if there is a next time.