Rugby league and soccer ranked 4th and 5th respectively.Rules now No.1 sport in Australia
By Rupert Guinness
January 12, 2006
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,86 ... 11,00.html
AUSTRALIAN rules football is now the most popular sport in the nation, according to the latest Sweeney Sports Report.
The report shows the game reached an unprecedented high last winter with six out of 10 adult Australians (59 per cent) taking an interest in it - six per cent more than for the same period in 2004.
It's good news for channels 7 and 10 who have recently secured broadcast rights for the game. The report showed that more than five out of 10 Australian adults (55 per cent) watched the game on television last winter - again up six per cent on winter 2004.
Sweeney report statistics showed Australian rules has enjoyed record gains and levels and retained leadership in all areas but participation.
Besides an increase in overall interest level, it boasted the largest number of patrons, the most media coverage, internet use and pay-TV audiences. It also earned recognition for its major event - the AFL grand final - being recognised as the most important of any sport by Australians.
To reach No.1, Australian rules pushed out swimming as the sport most Australians attend, participate in, watch, listen or read about.
Swimming is now second, with cricket, rugby league, football, rugby union, motor car racing, golf and netball rounding out the top 10.
Among those to miss the top 10 were athletics (11th), basketball (12th) and, most surprisingly, horse racing (17th).
The Daily Telegraph
Also why do they have to friggin refer to soccer as football?
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