Footy Fever at Crown Perth

Aussie Rules is an Australian staple, bringing the country together in a frenzy of excitement. In Perth, loyal fans gather to watch the rivalries and create forgettable memories.

But what if you can't make it to the stadium? Where do you go? Crown Perth, of course. You get the buzz of the big game, icy drinks without the long queues, and an atmosphere that's second to none.

What Is Australian Footy?

The first organised Australian Rules Football match took place in 1858, though the official rules wouldn't be established for another year! Its inception is accepted as a combination of the Aboriginal game of marngrook, Irish Gaelic football, and the football played in English private schools. 

In English schools, the rules varied by school, much in the same way as footy rules seemed to across Melbourne. Finally, in 1859, official rules were set out, including banning throwing, handling the ball, and running only as far as necessary to take a kick. Later amendments allowed running with the ball as long as it touched the ground every five yards and kicking the ball through the goal to score.

While there are global sports to celebrate with everyone, Australian footy is a product of local culture and tradition, uniting every walk of life, and there's nothing that gets a local crowd more excited than a big match. 

Season & Structure

With the season starting in March and running through August, the Grand Final takes place on the last Saturday in September. The league is made up of 18 teams from across the country and generally plays 23 matches throughout the course of a season.

At the end of it all, the top eight teams enter the Finals series to find out who will battle for the top spot. Usually held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Grand Final is one of the hottest events in Australian sport, with millions of viewers tuning in, making it one of the top three most viewed programs on television each year. 

Footy culture in Western Australia

Given that Australian rules football originated in Melbourne, it's no surprise just how passionate Victorians are, especially given that Melbourne hosts the Grand Final, but it's wildly popular in Western Australia. Rugby had been the predominant sport in WA until Australian rules landed in Perth in 1881. It wasn't instantly popular, but footy fever spread quickly once wealthy Perth boys brought it back from their time in South Australia's boarding schools. The gold rush in WA kicked off a boom in the population and further spread the popularity of footy, with a league being established in 1885. So, once it took off, it had a hold on Western Australia.

Today, game days are a community affair, an opportunity to bring every generation of family and friends together to celebrate, with many families flocking to their favourite bars to catch the latest match if they aren't lucky enough to have tickets.

West Coast Eagles versus Fremantle Dockers

There's no bigger match in footy than the Western Derby. It started in 1995 when the Fremantle Dockers joined the league, and in the early years, the West Coast Eagles dominated the derby, easily winning the first nine matchups until the Dockers finally bit back in 1999. There have been other periods of dominance since then, but now the figure stands at 33 wins for the West Coast Eagles to 27 wins for the Fremantle Dockers.

The Dockers were victorious in their last matchup, outscoring the Eagles by 38 points, and they will want revenge this time around.

It's set to a fiery affair and only one team and set of supporters will walk away with the bragging rights, but who will it be?

Watch Footy at Crown' Sports Bar

The drinks are flowing, the energy is tense with nerves and excitement, fans wearing the team colours, breaking out in chants as big screens show all the action. You might not be able to make it to the ground to enjoy the match in person, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy game-day rituals with your mates and celebrate or commiserate over a shared passion. There's nothing better than enjoying a match with friends over cold drinks, delicious food, and arguing over instant replays for the ultimate sensory experience.

If you're looking for the perfect location to enjoy sporting events, Perth, look no further than Crown Sports Bar for footy, Perth. You don't need to be a sports fan to come along, it's a great night out, whether you want to enjoy local culture, watch the sport, or enjoy a lively night out in Perth.

If you are heading to the match and looking for a convenient bar to pre-game and celebrate after the match, the Crown's Sports Bar is a handy 12-minute walk from the Optus Stadium.