In Australia, Friday Night Football is the broadcasting of both the Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL) Friday night matches on television. Friday Night Football is generally considered to be the biggest stage and generate the most publicity for the clubs involved in both codes. It is for this reason that clubs involved generally want to perform at their very best to avoid large-scale criticism from the media. The Seven Network will broadcast AFL from the 2007 season, while the Nine Network will continue their association with the NRL. This article is about the national league in Australian rules football. ... The National Rugby League (NRL) is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. ... Melbourne skyline at night Night or nighttime is the period in which the sun is below the horizon. ... The Seven Network is an Australian television network. ... Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2007. ... The Nine Network is an Australian television network, available in major markets across Australia. ...

Both codes are shown in all states and territories, with the dominant code being shown in primetime at 8:30pm, and the other code shown afterwards in a late time slot. The only exception is in the Northern Territory where the NRL is shown at 7:00, with the AFL being shown at 8:45, both generally accepted as being in primetime. The Australian States and Territories comprise the Commonwealth of Australia under a federal system of government. ... Capital Darwin Government Const. ...

The dominant codes are Australian rules football in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania; and rugby league in New South Wales, Queensland and Australian Capital Territory. Hence the Australian rules football states get AFL and the rugby league states get NRL. High marking is a key skill and spectator attribute of Aussie Rules Precise field and goal kicking using the oval shaped ball is the key skill in Aussie Rules Football Australian rules football, also known as Australian football, Aussie rules, or simply football or footy is a code of football... Capital Melbourne Government Constitutional monarchy Governor David de Kretser Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 37  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $222,022 (2nd)  - Product per capita  $44,443/person (5th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  5,110,500 (2nd)  - Density  22. ... Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 11  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $59,819 (5th)  - Product per capita  $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  1,558,200 (5th)  - Density  1. ... Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $100,900 (4th)  - Product per capita  $50,355/person (3rd) Population (December 2006)  - Population  2,050,900 (4th)  - Density  0. ... Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 5  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $16,114 (7th)  - Product per capita  $33,243/person (8th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  489,600 (6th)  - Density  7. ... Rugby league football (often shortened to rugby league) is a full-contact team sport played with a prolate spheroid-shaped ball by two teams of thirteen on a rectangular grass field. ... Capital Sydney Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Professor Marie Bashir Premier Morris Iemma (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 50  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $305,437 (1st)  - Product per capita  $45,153/person (4th) Population (End of March 2006)  - Population  6,817,100 (1st)  - Density  8. ... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  4,070,400 (3rd)  - Density  2. ... Capital Canberra Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator none Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2006)  - Product ($m)  $19,167 (6th)  - Product per capita  $57,303/person (1st) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  333,667 (7th)  - Density  137. ...

As part of the new AFL television rights, Seven was expected to show AFL at an earlier timeslot in New South Wales and Queensland in an attempt to boost popularity in those states. Foxtel will take this responsibility off Seven, showing the Friday night match live into NSW and QLD on its Main Event channel, with Seven to show it delayed at different times into different regions within those states. Main Event is Australias only pay-per-view channel. ...

As part of the new NRL contract, as of 2007 the Nine Network now broadcasts two NRL games in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory on Friday Night - one live at 7.30, and the second match replayed at 9.30. The same games are also replayed into other areas of Australia, usually starting after midnight.

Between 2002 and 2006 inclusive, the Nine Network held the rights to both codes, which necessitated the broadcasting of one after the other. Friday Night Football is regularly one of the highest rating programs in Australia. The Nine Network is an Australian television network, available in major markets across Australia. ...

Australian Football League

The first Australian rules matches on Friday nights were introduced in 1985 when the North Melbourne Football Club pioneered the initiative. At this time, these games were irregularly scheduled and only involved North. By 1987 they had began to be played on a more regular basis, and to involve other clubs. The Seven Network, who broadcast football for around 40 years before losing the rights after the 2001 season, took a punt on showing the football on Friday Nights and it paid off. Womens Australian rules football is a team sport. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Dennis Cometti (born 1949) is a former Australian rules football player and coach for West Perth in the West Australian Football League but is best known as a commentator. ... Timothy Michael Watson (born July 13, 1961) is a former Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club, a coach of the St Kilda Football Club, and now a media personality. ... Ricky (Rick) Olarenshaw (born 1 February 1973) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. ... David Schwarz may refer to: David Schwarz (aviation inventor) David Schwarz (Australian Rules footballer) David Schwartz (composer) Also, Schwarz is only one of several spellings of the name. ... The Seven Network is an Australian television network. ... 576i is the shorthand name for a video mode. ... ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The North Melbourne Football Club, is an Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League. ... The Seven Network is an Australian television network. ...

Friday Night AFL is generally played in Melbourne, at either the Melbourne Cricket Ground or Telstra Dome. On a few occasions each season however, it may be played at either AAMI Stadium in Adelaide or Subiaco Oval in Perth with one of the two Adelaide or Perth based sides hosting the match. In 2005, a Western Derby between West Coast and Fremantle was played on Friday Night for the first time. It is never played in Sydney or Brisbane. “MCG” redirects here. ... {{Infobox_Stadium | stadium_name = Telstra Dome | nickname = The Dome, Docklands Stadium| image = | location = Docklands, Melbourne | broke_ground = 1996| opened = 2000| closed = N/A| demolished = N/A| owner = James Fielding Funds Management| operator = Melbourne Stadiums LimitedAccess One| surface = Grass| construction_cost = $250 million AUD|lbourne. ... AAMI Stadium, formerly known as Football Park, is an AFL stadium located in West Lakes, Adelaide, South Australia. ... Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia, with a population of over 1. ... Subiaco Oval (, ) is the major sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. ... The Perth skyline viewed from the Swan River This article is about the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia. ... The Western Derby is the name given to the Australian Football League match between the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles. ... The West Coast Eagles Football Club is an Australian rules football club competing in the Australian Football League. ... Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers and known unofficially as the Fremantle Dockers and informally as Freo, is one of 16 teams in the Australian Football League. ...

Seven's commentary team for 2007 will include Bruce McAvaney and Dennis Commeti after his return from a five-year stint at Nine, with special comments from Tim Watson and David Schwarz. The two will rotate between commentary box and sideline commentating on a half-by-half basis. Rick Olarenshaw is the boundary/medical reporter. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Dennis Cometti (born 1949) is a former Australian rules football player and coach for West Perth in the West Australian Football League but is best known as a commentator. ... Timothy Michael Watson (born July 13, 1961) is a former Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club, a coach of the St Kilda Football Club, and now a media personality. ... David Schwarz may refer to: David Schwarz (aviation inventor) David Schwarz (Australian Rules footballer) David Schwartz (composer) Also, Schwarz is only one of several spellings of the name. ... Ricky (Rick) Olarenshaw (born 1 February 1973) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. ...

Memorable Events

• In round 3, 2007, Collingwood's Leon Davis kicked an impossible goal from the boundary line.
• In round 18, 2006, St. Kilda backman Matt Maguire broke his leg after Tyson Stenglein slid into his path.
• In round 10, 2005, Richmond forward Nathan G. Brown horrifically broke his leg as Melbourne's Matthew Whelan tried to smother his kick [1].
• During the final stages of the Fremantle vs. St. Kilda match in 2005, Fremantle's Justin Longmuir booted a goal after the siren after St. Kilda's Justin Peckett was tackled inside the Saints' defensive 50.
• Bali Bombing survivor Jason McCartney made his comeback game for the Kangaroos in round 11, 2003 against Richmond infront of a packed house at Telstra Dome. He had a hand in his side's winning goal and subsequently announced a teary retirement after the match.
• Adelaide's Mark Ricciuto played his 300th AFL match against the Kangaroos. The Crows won by a staggering 72 points, Ricciuto kicking five goals.
• Essendon's Matthew Lloyd played his 200th AFL match against St. Kilda. Lloyd booted four goals in the Bombers' 15 point win.
• West Coast's Ashley Hansen made his AFL debut in round 11, 2004, against Collingwood. He kicked a goal but suffered an injury after halftime.

The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies after the black and white striped guernseys worn by the players, is an Australian rules football club, playing in the elite Australian Football League. ... Leon Davis (born June 17, 1981) is an australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. ... The St. ... Categories: Australian Rules footballers | St Kilda Saints players ... Tyson Stenglein (born July 16, 1980) is an Australian rules footballer, currently playing for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League. ... The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League. ... For the Australian rules footballer with Melbourne, see Nathan D. Brown Nathan Gordon Brown (born February 10, 1978) is an Australian rules footballer, in the Australian Football League. ... The Melbourne Football Club (MFC), nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League, based in Melbourne, Victoria. ... Matthew Whelan (born November 13, 1979) is an indigenous Australian rules football player. ... Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers and known unofficially as the Fremantle Dockers and informally as Freo, is one of 16 teams in the Australian Football League. ... Justin Longmuir (born 21 January 1981) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. ... Justin Frankie Peckett (born October 5, 1972) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. ... The 2002 Bali bombing occurred on October 12, 2002 in the tourist district of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali. ... Jason McCartney (born March 14, 1974) is a former Australian rules footballer and 2002 Bali bombing survivor. ... The North Melbourne Football Club, is an Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League. ... The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League. ... {{Infobox_Stadium | stadium_name = Telstra Dome | nickname = The Dome, Docklands Stadium| image = | location = Docklands, Melbourne | broke_ground = 1996| opened = 2000| closed = N/A| demolished = N/A| owner = James Fielding Funds Management| operator = Melbourne Stadiums LimitedAccess One| surface = Grass| construction_cost = $250 million AUD|lbourne. ... The Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed the Crows, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League, based in Adelaide, South Australia. ... Mark Rupert Ricciuto (born June 8, 1975) is a prominent Australian rules football player, representing the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League. ... The North Melbourne Football Club, is an Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League. ... Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club that is part of the Australian Football League. ... Matthew James Lloyd (born April 16, 1978) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for and is captain of the Essendon Bombers Australian Football League. ... Ashley Hansen (March 3, 1983 - ) is an AFL player for the West Coast Eagles. ...

National Rugby League

Regular non-weekend football started life as Monday Night Football in 1985, with Canterbury meeting Manly on the 24th June. However moderate attendances and a night game prior to a working day eventually saw the game shifted to Friday from 1988 on. With the 2007 season, MNF is set to return to the NRL. Womens Australian rules football is a team sport. ... Peter Maxwell John Sterling (born June 16, 1960 in Toowoomba, Queensland), nicknamed Sterlo, was one of the greatest Australian rugby league players and a major contributor to Parramattas dominance of the New South Wales Rugby League premiership between 1981 and 1986. ... Ray Rabbit (Rabbs) Warren is an Australian sports commentator for the National Rugby League coverage on the Nine Network. ... Andrew Voss is a commentator for the National Rugby League (NRL) coverage on the Nine Network in Australia and the host and writer of the TV show, Boots N All. ... For the drummer Phil Gould, see Phil Gould (musician). ... Matthew Johns (born July 27, 1971 in Cessnock, New South Wales) is an Australian entertainer who had previously enjoyed a successful career in rugby league alongside his younger brother Andrew Johns. ... Ben Ikin (born February 21, 1977) is a former Australian Rugby League Player. ... Kevin David Walters (born October 20, 1967) is an Australian former rugby league player whose on-field career lasted from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, along with brothers Kerrod and Steve. ... This article is about the rugby league player. ... Wendell Jermaine Sailor (born 16 July 1974 in Sarina, Queensland) is a former Australian representative rugby footballer who represented his country in both rugby union and rugby league- a dual code international. ... Mario Fenech (nicknamed The Maltese Falcon) is a Maltese-Australian rugby league personality. ... Mark Gasnier Josh Atkinson is gay (born July 19, 1981 in Sydney, NSW) is an Australian Rugby League player for the St. ... The Nine Network is an Australian television network, available in major markets across Australia. ... 576i is the shorthand name for a video mode. ... ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The Bulldogs (formerly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) are an Australian professional rugby league football club who compete in the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership, the top rugby league competition in Australasia, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions. ... The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league football team in the National Rugby League (NRL), the premier rugby league competition in Australasia. ... The 2007 National Rugby League (NRL) premiership is the current and one hundredth season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the tenth run by the NRL. Sixteen teams are contesting the premiership, and with the inclusion of new team the Gold Coast Titans, the competition is...

The Friday night game is considered to be the most watched game of the week and many NRL clubs have openly stated that they appreciate the publicity given by these matches. The Nine Network choose the game they consider to be the "match of the round" 5 or 6 weeks in advance. This system has both positive and negative consequences, as it increases the likelihood of a good game played between two in-form sides, but does not allow fans or clubs a large amount of time to know on which day they will play in any given round. In 2007, two games will be played on Friday night.

Memorable Events

• In round 8, 2007, a match between the Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs finished in dramatic circumstances, Souths having to run 100 metres to score in the final minute of play. They kicked towards the eastern grandstand, and John Sutton won the race to the ball. But, as he was about to ground the ball, he knocked on, Brisbane fullback Karmichael Hunt the culprit. Broncos won 8-4. [2]
• In 2007 there were two golden point matches played at the same time in round three. First, the Parramatta Eels defeated the Wests Tigers after Eels' Luke Burt potted a penalty goal in the 87th minute of play. Over in Brisbane, the Penrith Panthers forced the Brisbane Broncos into golden point after being down 28-20 with five minutes to go. Also in the 87th minute, Panthers five-eighth Peter Wallace booted a field goal to give the Panthers a 29-28 win.
• In round one, 2007, the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos, grand finalists from 2006, played 2005 grand finalists the Wests Tigers and the North Queensland Cowboys respectively to open the season. The runners-up won their matches.
• In the final round of 2006, Cowboys' Travis Norton, Matt Sing and Josh Hannay all played their last games at home before moving on.
• At the final stages of the Newcastle Knights vs. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles match in rd 23, 2006, an Andrew Johns pass went astray, landing on the sidelines. Knights players protested to the referees than a Manly player knocked on in an attempt to intercept the pass. Johns then said to a touch judge: "F*** you, c***". He was then suspended for two matches.
• Three Melbourne Storm home matches were played in 2006, two of which were delayed in Melbourne, starting at 5:30am the following Saturday. Melbourne Storm fans would've woken up watching their local team in action!
• With one minute to go and four points down against the Brisbane Broncos, Dragons halfback Mathew Head kicked to Brett Morris' wing, creating a last-gasp try. Aaron Gorrell kicked the conversion and broke the hearts of Broncos supporters.
• In the final moments of the Manly vs. Wests Tigers match at Brookvale Oval, Sea Eagles halfback Matt Orford kicked down field and Brett Stewart caught his kick. He then scored a freakish try to win the game for the silvertails.
• The round 13, 2006 match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and Parramatta Eels will be remembered as the one that saw only nine points scored. After 70 mintues, there was no score until Parramatta's John Morris kicked the first field goal of the match, and therefore, the first points of the match. Then, Dragons captain Ben Hornby kicked two field goals to settle a score that was similar to that of a soccer match. The following events occurred:

• With time almost up, the Eels were about to feed a scrum, until....
• Parramatta's Jeremy Smith threw the ball away, landing into the hands of Matt Cooper, who would score the only try of the match.
• Players begin to leave the field, despite the match not being over yet. The conversion had to be taken by Aaron Gorrell.
• St George Illawarra won 8-1, one of the weirdest scores ever.

• In the final round of 2005, the Eels reversed their round five humiliation by the Brisbane Broncos and won the minor premiership in front of a packed Parramatta Stadium.
• In 2005, Golden Boot winner Anthony Minichiello scored a 70m try against the Broncos which contributed to the Sydney Roosters winning their first match at Suncorp Stadium in 14 years.
• The Bulldogs suffered consecutive 52-point thrashings, first 56-4 by the Eels in round 23 and then 54-2 at the hands of the Wests Tigers in rd 24.
• In rd 18, 2005, the Eels and Dragons fought out a controversial match at Parramatta Stadium, in a match which saw Trent Barrett get to grips with PJ Marsh [3]. The Eels won 40-14 and the Dragons would not lose another match until late September.
• A rare Friday night match was played at Leichhardt Oval between the Tigers and the Sea Eagles. The hosts won 49-24.
• During a 2005 match between the Roosters and the Eels, Roosters centre Ryan Cross was alleged to have eye-gouged Parramatta's Glenn Morrison in the face. He received a six-week ban for his actions.
• In 2004 and 2005, when the Roosters and the Bulldogs clashed at Telstra Stadium, a Rooster would be sent off. In 2004, then Roosters three-quarter Justin Hodges was sent off for coathanging Steve Price, and in 2005 Adrian Morley would get marched for his high tackle on Matt Utai.
• In 2004, Newcastle Knights forward Clint Newton was sent off for elbowing St George Illawarra forward Ashton Sims [4].
• The Penrith Panthers have lost their last Friday the 13th matches:

• round 5, 2007, v Parramatta, 14-27.
• round 10, 2005, v Dragons, 12-34.
• round 23, 2004, v Roosters, 12-44.

• A rare match was played in Melbourne in 2004, and a full house at Olympic Park Stadium witnessed the Melbourne Storm thrash the Penrith Panthers 66-14.
• A then-record crowd of 18,669 at Campbelltown Stadium witnessed the Wests Tigers crash to a 56-0 thrashing at the hands of the Sydney Roosters.
• Fielding an injury-hit side, the St George Illawrra Dragons got out of jail against the Brisbane Broncos in rd 26, 2003, when hooker Mark Riddell kicked a penalty goal 41 metres out from the goalline. The Dragons won 26-25. Among those missing for the Dragons included: Trent Barrett, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Jason Ryles, Brett Firman and Lance Thompson.

This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... The South Sydney Rabbitohs, also known as Souths or The Rabbits, are an Australian professional rugby league team based in Sydney, Australia. ... For the English footballer, see John Sutton (footballer). ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... A recent innovation to the National Rugby League competition (in 2003), is sudden death overtime, referred in the NRL as the golden point - a term borrowed from soccers now defunct golden goal. ... The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. ... The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football team in the National Rugby League (NRL), the premier rugby league football competition in Australasia. ... Luke Kevin Burt (born June 6, 1981 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian rugby league player for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... The Rev. ... The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Melbourne, Victoria. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football team in the National Rugby League (NRL), the premier rugby league football competition in Australasia. ... The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Townsville, Queensland. ... Travis Norton (born April 12, 1976 in Redcliffe, Queensland) is a rugby league player for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League competition. ... Matt Sing - Tri Series 2005 Matt Sing (born March 13, 1975 in Winton, Queensland) is a rugby league player for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League competition. ... Josh Hannay Josh Hannay (born January 11, 1980 in Moranbah, Queensland) is a rugby league player for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League competition. ... The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Newcastle, New South Wales. ... The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league football team in the National Rugby League (NRL), the premier rugby league competition in Australasia. ... This article is about the rugby league player. ... The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Melbourne, Victoria. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... Matthew Head (born May 9, 1982 in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league player for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League competition. ... Brett Morris (born August 23, 1986 in Kiama, NSW) is an Australian rugby league player for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League competition. ... Aaron Gorrell (born March 31, 1981 in Wollongong, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league player for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League competition. ... Matt Orford is an Australian rugby league player. ... Brett Stewart (born February 27, 1985 in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian Rugby League player for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League competition. ... The St. ... The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. ... The Right Honourable John Morris, Earl Morris of Aberavon, KG, PC, QC (born 5 November 1931), was a UK Labour member of Parliament for Aberavon. ... Ben Hornby (born February 10, 1980 in Wollongong, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league player for the St. ... Jeremy Smith is a New Zealand Rugby League player that currently plays halfback for the Parramatta Eels. ... Matt Cooper is a journalist and presenter in Ireland. ... Aaron Gorrell (born March 31, 1981 in Wollongong, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league player for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League competition. ... Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. ... The Golden Boot is the award given to the top goalscorer in a football (soccer) tournament. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... The Sydney Rooters are a professional rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. ... Suncorp Stadium, formerly known as Lang Park, is a rectangular sporting stadium located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia. ... The Bulldogs (formerly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) are an Australian professional rugby league football club who compete in the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership, the top rugby league competition in Australasia, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions. ... The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football team in the National Rugby League (NRL), the premier rugby league football competition in Australasia. ... Trent Barrett (born November 18, 1977 in Temora, NSW) is an Australian rugby league player who plays for the Wigan Warriors in the European Super League competition and also has played for New South Wales & Australia. ... PJ Marsh PJ Marsh (born Peter-John Marsh, February 19, 1980 in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia) is an Australian Rugby League player for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition and for Queensland in State of Origin. ... Leichhardt Oval is a rugby league stadium in Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia. ... Ryan Cross (born October 6, 1979 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian Rugby League player for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League competition. ... Glenn Adam Morrison (born May 28, 1976 in Canterbury, NSW) is an Australian Rugby League player for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition. ... Justin Hodges (born on the 25th of May, 1982 in Cairns, Queensland) is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos teams. ... // Steve Price Steve Price started his NRL (National Rugby League) career with the Canterbury Bulldogs on July 3, 1994 (Rd 14) in the Canterbury v Balmain game at Belmore. ... Adrian Morley (born May 10 1977 in Salford, UK) is a rugby league player who plays for the Warrington Wolves in the National Rugby League competition. ... Matthew Utai (born May 25, 1981 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a New Zealand Rugby League player for the Canterbury Bulldogs in the National Rugby League competition. ... The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Newcastle, New South Wales. ... Clint Newton (born June 18, 1981 in South Carolina, United States) is an Australian rugby league player for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League competition. ... Ashton Sims (born February 26, 1985 in Sutherland, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league player for the St. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... A Friday occurring on the 13th day of any month is considered to be a day of bad luck in English, German and Portuguese-speaking cultures around the globe. ... Olympic Park Stadium is a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located in Swan Street in inner Melbourne. ... The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Melbourne, Victoria. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Campbelltown Stadium, formerly Orana Park and Campbelltown Sports Ground, is a rugby league stadium in Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia. ... The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football team in the National Rugby League (NRL), the premier rugby league football competition in Australasia. ... The Sydney Rooters are a professional rugby league club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. ... Mark Robert Riddell (born December 9, 1981 in Sydney, New South Wales) is an Australian Rugby League player for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition, he also previously played for the St George-Illawarra Dragons. ... Trent Barrett (born November 18, 1977 in Temora, NSW) is an Australian rugby league player who plays for the Wigan Warriors in the European Super League competition and also has played for New South Wales & Australia. ... Mark Gasnier Josh Atkinson is gay (born July 19, 1981 in Sydney, NSW) is an Australian Rugby League player for the St. ... Matt Cooper is a journalist and presenter in Ireland. ... Jason Ryles (born January 17, 1979 in Wollongong, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league player for the St. ... Brett Firman plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League. ... Image:LanceThompson. ...

Criticism

A large criticism within the AFL telecast has been the predominance of larger clubs featuring on Friday Night Football. Despite underperforming, Collingwood have previously frequently participated on Friday Night, when better-performing clubs would make the match a much more worthwhile watch. The AFL have addressed this by awarding Friday Night matches to clubs who have performed well in the previous season. Due to the clash in local markets with the NRL, the Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans don't play Friday night matches. This too is hoped to be rectified with the new broadcast deal, meaning those two clubs can also participate on the biggest stage. Similarly, the Melbourne Storm rarely play Friday Night matches in the NRL, however in 2006, after leading the competition, they have been allocated 3 Friday Night Matches in the space of 5 weeks. The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies after the black and white striped guernseys worn by the players, is an Australian rules football club, playing in the elite Australian Football League. ... The Brisbane Lions Australian Football Club (the trading name for the Brisbane Bears-Fitzroy Football Club) are an Australian Football League club based in Brisbane, Queensland. ... The Sydney Swans is an Australian Football League (AFL) club based in Sydney, New South Wales. ... The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Melbourne, Victoria. ...

Another major criticism surrounding AFL was the commentating of Eddie McGuire in Collingwood matches. As Collingwood president, he was often considered to be biased in his calling, and although he frequently denied that he was, he could often be clearly heard to be barracking for the Magpies when they were playing well, or groaning when they weren't, to an extent further than he would any other club. After Eddie was appointed CEO of the Nine Network prior to the 2006 season, he was replaced by Dwayne Russell in commentary. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...