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[jambo]

Its that time again! The NAB Challenge (the AFL's new experimental pre-season comp) begins today (Feb 12).

The first round of the official 2014 Premiership Season isn't until mid March and is again split over two weekends, with the first game (Collingwood vs. Fremantle) on Friday March 14.



Important Links / Notes

2014 Season Fixtures
2014 NAB Challenge Fixture

Season 2014 Fixture

Highlights Videos
15 Minute Fan-made 2013 Highlights Video
The best come back win of 2013!
A highlights video of the past 10 or so years for those of you who are new to the game

International Visitors
- Games can be watched online through http://watchafl.afl.com.au/ - It lets you watch every single match live and on-demand on your desktop, mobile or tablet. 2014 NAB Challenge Season Pass is FREE, whilst the AFL 2014 Premiership Season Pass is $120 AUD.
- Countries that get ESPN and ESPN2 should get a few matches a week, some of them even being live feeds
- New Zealanders will get every match each weekend on Sommet Sports, 6 live and 3 delayed
- Europeans can watch on Eurosport 2
- In the US, games on are on Fox Soccer Plus
- Canadians can watch on TSN and TSN2
- African viewers can watch on SuperSport
- Middle East and North African viewers can watch on the Orbit Showtime Network



AFL-GAFFERS:
GAF Supporter List:

Adelaide Crows - tri_willy, Dommo, deadmeadow88, Galdun
Brisbane Lions - Grug
Carlton Blues - oipic, speedpop, maladroid, Macready1306
Collingwood Magpies - Dead Man, El'Kharn, Satchel, Jables Swan, bobnowhere
Essendon Bombers - theb0xmIke, Jezabel, HolyCheck, Ingram, Westlo, Shancake, RandomVince
Fremantle Dockers - what's in a name
Geelong Cats - Andiie
Gold Coast Suns -
GWS Giants - BanShunsaku
Hawthorn Hawks - Grassy, Here For The Free Feed
Melbourne Demons - KAP151
North Melbourne Kangaroos- guidop, Jebus
Port Adelaide Power - jambo, fisheyes, Ningo, Juicy Bob, reptilescorpio, Chaosmidas, Dryk
Richmond Tigers - a posh hammer
St Kilda Saints - Ydahs, Pachael, Scullibuno
Sydney Swans- Rezbit, legend166, iSimon
West Coast Eagles - FGMPR, midonnay, Kerrby, cr_blah_blah, Nickovic, aDDiKt24, VOOK, Raad, oxirane(?), AnkhWeasel
Western Bulldogs - Major_Lazer

GAF AFL TIPPING LEAGUE:

http://www.footytips.com.au/comps/believe
Password is legend166

GAF AFL DREAM TEAM:
http://fantasy.afl.com.au/
COMING SOON - Not sure what we're doing for this year, will update when I know.
Also, don't forget about Ydahs' great http://dream-stats.com/ site for all your Dream Team / Supercoach needs

Relive all the fun/drama of the AFL 2013 OT

Thanks to fisheyes, Grug and Ydahs, I used a few bits from last years thread for this one (up to and including this very line)

 

[HolyCheck]

Interesting a game every night for the nab cup.

Gonna miss the opening round or two due to being in korea

 

[jambo]

We recently got rid of Foxtel to save money, so I'm going to try out the AFL app subscription.

$14.99 a month for full access to live video, on-demand replays and other content. You can also pay $89.99 for a full 12 months, but I'm just going to cancel my sub after the season ends in September anyway.

Also works on multiple devices (of the same OS) as it's attached to your Apple or Google ID.

 

[Dead Man]

Nice OP, clear, pity about the picture at the bottom.

Funnily enough, I almost ended being a Hawthorne supporter. Grew up in SA but right by the border with Vic, so VFL was watched more than SANFL. I didn't want to grow up going for the Pies like my dad, so I tried to follow other teams. Being a kid in the 80's, you wanted to be a fan of Hawthorn. But hey, the apple never falls too far from the tree I guess. Going to be a great season of watching Collingwood defeat themselves.

Suns have no GAF fans? Come on, I know somebody is one, be proud! Get out of that closet!

Why do Australian sports with very little international presence reckon they are worth so much for a years worth of streaming even for people overseas? V8 Supercars is charging overseas people to stream it as well when several other major international racing series don't. Seems a stupid way to try and grow an audience.

 

[HolyCheck]

Nice OP, clear, pity about the picture at the bottom.

Funnily enough, I almost ended being a Hawthorne supporter. Grew up in SA but right by the border with Vic, so VFL was watched more than SANFL. I didn't want to grow up going for the Pies like my dad, so I tried to follow other teams. Being a kid in the 80's, you wanted to be a fan of Hawthorn. But hey, the apple never falls too far from the tree I guess. Going to be a great season of watching Collingwood defeat themselves.

Suns have no GAF fans? Come on, I know somebody is one, be proud! Get out of that closet!

Why do Australian sports with very little international presence reckon they are worth so much for a years worth of streaming even for people overseas? V8 Supercars is charging overseas people to stream it as well when several other major international racing series don't. Seems a stupid way to try and grow an audience.

because the expats have no other decent way of watching lol

 

[Dead Man]

because the expats have no other decent way of watching lol

I think I would rather watch a shitty stream than pay that much for a single season of a single sport. But they probably do do well with the expats lol.

 

[jambo]

I think I would rather watch a shitty stream than pay that much for a single season of a single sport. But they probably do do well with the expats lol.

As detailed in the OP, there are actually a lot more options for international viewers now. A lot of people get cable tv and packaged tv stuff as standard, so they should just be able to DVR matches or even watch them live.

The NHL and NFL both have international streaming packs that cost around $50 USD, so while it is cheaper, they are still charging.

In a perfect world we'd just get everything streamed in HD for free, but we're not quite there yet.

 

[Dryk]

If you want to add me to the list I don't really follow football that much but I come from a Port supporting family so that's usually the answer I'll give when asked.

Go sports!

 

[Dead Man]

As detailed in the OP, there are actually a lot more options for international viewers now. A lot of people get cable tv and packaged tv stuff as standard, so they should just be able to DVR matches or even watch them live.

The NHL and NFL both have international streaming packs that cost around $50 USD, so while it is cheaper, they are still charging.

In a perfect world we'd just get everything streamed in HD for free, but we're not quite there yet.

Yeah, but it is cheaper, and they don't really need to grow their audience the same way Australian specific sporting codes do.

I get why they do it, too easy to use a proxy and circumvent for locals, but it still seems a bit silly when so many sports in Aus seem to be talking up overseas audience expansion.

 

[Jables Swan]

Great OP jambo. Bring on the start of the season! If I remember, I'll check out the Pies game tonight. Not too fussed about this NAB challenge stuff though.

 

[legend166]

Dat Buddy Franklin

 

[jambo]

Dat Buddy Franklin

 

[Here For The Free Feed]

oh what there's AFL threads on here!?

put me up next to Grassy, hawks going back to back!

 

[Andiie]

Poor Burbury. Broken jaw in the first game back. He had a fairly injury interrupted year last season as well.

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-02-12/burbury-loses-teeth

 

[Jables Swan]

Not a good night for injuries. Pies have been huge though. Loving the work from the new blokes White and Adams. Lots of good signs.

 

[fisheyes]

Carn the pear

 

[Here For The Free Feed]

enjoyed the intensity of the pies/cats, hopefully it's set the tone for the next 17 days.

and yep, shame about those injuries though the lads jaw isn't as bad as first thought so at least that's something..

go the hawks tonight!!

 

[Andiie]

Look at that score.
Is Brisbane playing a young side?

 

[jambo]

I watched a bit of the last quarter and it sounded like they were trying out some different things with their team and players so it's not surprising.

Pretty tough gig to have your first match of the year against the reigning premiers.

 

[Here For The Free Feed]

so good to see suckling back out there

 

[Andiie]

Richmond were pretty terrible but good to see the Dees come out with a win for once. Not sure it's a good thing they had almost 200 more possessions and only won by 14.

 

[Westlo]

Melbourne beat Richmond

 

[Here For The Free Feed]

tigers faithful rightfully playing down this one, it's just NAB while the dess faithful talking up that paul roos impact

classic

 

[Jables Swan]

Can't take much from results from this NAB games but good on the Dees to playing well. Sounds like they did alright.

 

[maladroid]

I know they don't mean much, but glad to have the footy back in some form. Scrappy game today, but dat Menzel. Class.

 

[jambo]

Looks like Essendon needed a little more juice.

 

[jambo]

The Coasters are giving Freo a run for their money

 

[AxeMan]

Saints looking like a bottom 4 team so far (even on NAB Cup standards)

 

[jambo]

Apart from that late goal they were pretty terrible in that first quarter.

Just no flow to anything they did, seemingly no planning.

First quarter possession count was 96-36...

 

[AxeMan]

It's been a big fall from a few years ago. Curse of Lyon's attempts to win?

 

[Here For The Free Feed]

would have rathered savage stayed in the brown & gold, saints fans will love his work.

 

[jambo]

Looks like Buddy will make his red and white debut this Thursday!

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-02-25/nab-challenge-squads-swans-v-eagles

Loving the beard.

 

[Andiie]

Looks like Buddy will make his red and white debut this Thursday!

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-02-25/nab-challenge-squads-swans-v-eagles

Loving the beard.

Seeing players in their new sides has really been the only highlight of the pre-season so far. Interested in seeing Chappy tonight for Essendon but I don't know if I can stand seeing him playing in different colors.

 

[Jables Swan]

It's always weird to see players in their new colours to being with. Buddy doesn't look right. Great beard though.

 

[PhantomZone]

Lets go HAWTHORN!!!

 

[jambo]

From last night.

CARNDEPEAR!!!!

 

[Yagharek]

Remove me from the list. I no longer follow this sport.

 

[BanShunsaku]

So glad footy is back. Reckon we might win 3 or 4 games this year - saw some promising signs vs the Swans last week. Got my tickets for the round 1 Battle of the Bridge (vomit) and can't wait!

 

[Here For The Free Feed]

beards look ridiculous when you can't take a chest mark, a la jack watts early last year

so that's NAB done and dusted right, just a practice game each or something left?

how's everyone's team looking, pretty happy with the hawks lead up

hoping young garlett can switch on after hearing today that he's struggling..

 

[Jables Swan]

Are we running a tipping competition again this year?

 

[Andiie]

Are we running a tipping competition again this year?

I'm keen. There's a link to it in the OP so I'm assuming it's planned.

 

[jambo]

The same account from the last few years on FootyTips.com.au is still active and will be used.

GAF AFL TIPPING LEAGUE:

http://www.footytips.com.au/comps/believe
Password is legend166

 

[Jables Swan]

Wicked. Have to try and get some more people involved.

 

[legend166]

I guess if my name is the password I really should enter this year.

 

[Andiie]

RIP Dean Bailey. I had no idea he was even sick.

Ex-Melbourne coach Dean Bailey dies

 

[jambo]

=[

He helped us to the 2004 grand final win.

 

[Dutch Gronk]

Sup guys!

So me and my friend, NeoGAF member Milchjon, decided that the NFL betrayed us and became instant AFL fans.

He chose the Fremantle Dockers, because his hometown team in Germany are called the Dockers and I chose the Geelong Cats, because the name sounded fun.

Who made the best decision here? What's the most hated team in the league?

 

[Jables Swan]

Dockers > Cats at this stage. If you had of jumped on the Cats 7 years ago, you would have definitely made the better choice.

Hated teams depends on where you live in the country and who you follow.

But Collingwood and Carlton are probably the big two. Everyone hates Collingwood and Collingwood fans hate Carlton.

 

[Dutch Gronk]

Dockers > Cats at this stage. If you had of jumped on the Cats 7 years ago, you would have definitely made the better choice.

Hated teams depends on where you live in the country and who you follow.

But Collingwood and Carlton are probably the big two. Everyone hates Collingwood and Collingwood fans hate Carlton.

Is the > based on recent performance or overall team history?

I always enjoy being hated because of my sports teams, but this should be fun anyway.

Save to say Andiiie is now my new best, Australian friend. Is 'What's in A Name' an actual GAF member?

 

[Chris R]

In the US, games on are on Fox Soccer Plus

Booooooooo. FSP isn't even offered by my cable company. At least put the games on Fox Sports 2 ya sillies, better than the infomercials you would be running any ways