Despite football fans rarely agreeing upon anything, there is one belief that we all hold – Australian Rules Football is the greatest sport on earth.
With its laws forged from the Anglo-Celtic ethos of a fair go and its expansiveness born from the indigenous game of Marngrook, our game is more than simply entertainment – it is a true expression of identity.
It is quintessentially Australian, so why wouldn't we want to share it?
Due to this common agreement of sporting superiority and in an effort to spread the good word, we have seen our code exported to various far-flung locations around the globe.
Although these excursions may have ultimately proven futile, it is worth remembering the endeavors all the same.
As none of us will be able to jet off internationally any time in the foreseeable future, here is a list you can live vicariously through, comprised of the eleven countries Aussie Rules has officially been played in.
5.
Singapore
With the English and Athenian portions of their journey completed, Carlton and the 1972 touring All-Stars were meant to head north to West Germany.
However, after reports of icy weather in Stuttgart, Harris led the tour to the juxtaposing climate of Singapore.
AFL Asian cup singapore team pic.twitter.com/z56XZl9WYP
— ExpatPropertyPlanner (@expat_property) October 15, 2016
Played on a makeshift oval in front of 8,500 most expatriate spectators, the inaccurate Blues were beaten by both the amalgamated squad and the bewildering heat.
Due to Singapore's religious laws preventing men having long hair, many of the players were forced to clip their locks prior to touching down in Asia.
Interestingly, both ‘The Flying Doormat' Bruce Doull and David McKay were granted special exemptions.
