For those that didn’t break enough bones during the Rugby season :-

There is another game to rupture your spleen in.

American football “Gridiron” is played at the conclusion of the Rugby Union and Rugby League seasons in South East Queensland.  This American brand of football is embraced by a dedicated crew of enthusiastic athletes, expats and their supporters during the longer light of the Australian Spring.

While others might prefer to rest after a tough season of rugby these boys choose to battle on in the pursuit of Gridiron Glory.   This is the contact game of choice played to audiences of millions in the homeland of our American allies.  Played on the dusty grounds of an approaching Australian Summer Gridiron makes for superb theatre.  It is a living chess board of strategic planning and and skillful execution.

Grounds may not yet be grand for the game down under.  Small groups of friendly spectators are made up of relatives, friends and a sprinkling of the curious passers by.  There are no television cables to trip over or camera crews to avoid getting run over by.  There is no media liason representatives to check accreditation or hired security to protect the pitch and players.

This is a simple old fashioned family friendly day in the sun watching your mates bash the shit out of each other – just for fun.

In this wonderfully bazaar setting a colourful expose of the totally foreign unfolds as huge teams of padded and helmeted gladiators do battle American football style.

                  

And they play in the rain as well.

Clicking on any of the images contained in the following slideshow will take you to the larger image residing on the AURA Images Archive.

Click on the following links for more detailed information about Gridiron in Australia and South East Queensland.