AFL and soccer (football) both have problems - Soccer is blighted by diving, and riddled with stupid posturing like ridiculous goal celebrations (thumb sucking anyone), both things that leave it open for criticism as a sport and leave its players open to mockery as not physically tough etc.
AFL on the other hand is run by a few vociferous clubs like Collingwood, spends too much effort on propping up unviable clubs and has many nebulous rules hat make it difficult to access for a casual fan.
so what's the better game? Cardio wise, soccer players have higher overall fitness - though AFL midfielders have the same capabilities, AFL players are a damn site physically stronger and tougher, and AFL, on its best day is a significantly more flowing game to watch. My basis for comparison: Played soccer overseas as kid in the 90's (singapore) became a convert to afl when I moved west, have attended an AFL and NRL GF and watched topflight soccer in Italy.
The view that AFL is only australian so why bother is just plain dumb and un thought out - what about american football (no one calls it gridiron) - it is really only played in the USA at any high level (canadian football s different) so should that sport be discontinued? What about the highland games - one country so finish it too? There are so many regional sports, so lets just end them and force all the athletes to play a sport they don't like.
