ARL is awesome! I've seen it randomly on TV a few times. I find it quite enjoyable even though I don't know much about the rules. Actually, I think it's more fun to watch it without understanding the fouling rules ... leads to a lot more "OMG, they're allowed to do that!?!?!" and, equally amusing, "why do are the dribbling the ball?" and "do they have to punch it to pass?" moments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-9IcFgbOwE

Rugby League is better, if you're into that sort of thing, imo.

Yeah, that 'punch to pass' is called a handball, that's how you pass the ball to another player, if you throw the ball it is a foul.
If you kick the ball to another player and it is caught, then it is a mark, and the player (regardless of the team) gets a free-kick or they can choose to play on.
To run with the ball further than about 6 paces you have to 'dribble' or bounce the ball on the ground - otherwise it's a foul meaning you have run-with-the-ball.
To score you need to kick the ball between the goal posts as follows:

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if the ball goes through the middle posts without being touched by hand then it is a goal worth 6 . if the ball goes though either side, or is touched by hand, or hits a post it is 1 point.

It's a full contact sport, so tackling (and being able to take a tackling) is mandatory. Remember if you drop the ball then it is a foul, so if you get tackled and you can't get rid of the ball legally then the tackler get the kick.
This is within reason - no punching allowed (it used to be) no tackling above the shoulders, and no tackling below the waist.

you could probably start here:

http://www.afl.com.au/

Dropping the ball is a foul? It seems like they often kind of shove it away in the general direction of legs, any legs, with the odds being at least as good that their team will get the ball compared to being tackled and definitely losing the ball. I'll have to keep on eye on that a bit more. Thanks.

I think you'll find they try to punch the ball, trying not to push the ball. it's a fine line :)

Afl.com.au

You can punch another player in the head, totally unprovoked and miles away from the main action and you won't even get sent off. That is something I have always found bizarre about Aussie Rules.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5qVLJEOTpo

Gotta laugh how u all cite YouTube as if its a great source of legitimate info

Are you doubting the authenticity of that video of Barry Hall? It's real. There are quite a few other videos of Barry Hall showing similar behavior on other occasions. His antics are legendary.

You're not allowed to punch people. Barry Hall is notorious for doing it anyway.

Not doubting the vid- just your accuracy in likening AFL to boxing

I didn't say punching was allowed and I didn't liken it to boxing I just said you won't get sent off. But players have been carried off the field on a stretcher and Barry Hall keeps playing. There are match suspensions but these happen after the game.

But once again that's irrelevant- the thread was about: "what's the game about". It's about agility, skill, etc... Not necessarily fighting. All AFL Aussies already know this. My real criticism was using YouTube of all trash like an encylopaedia

whatever dude

sorry that sounds rude... Yes afl is a game of skill. My comment about the punching was just a quirky fact about the game. Generally speaking Rugby League is way rougher, but if knock another player out cold you will get sent off. Just saying. I have never viewed YouTube as an encycopedia. It don't think many people do.

Having viewed the Barry Hall punch on Brent Staker I don't see why he wasn't charged with assault and hauled before a court.

It's not a sporting incident, just an assault by a thug who has no right to consider himself a sportsman.

In Scottish football I remember Duncan Ferguson being sent to jail for four months for headbutting an opposing player during a match. Don't see why Hall shouldn't face similar action.