A true Australian pastime

Footy tipping is probably the most Australian thing you can do in the office. It's taken seriously and yet, it promotes sledging, joking and sports fanaticism. If you got a free beer for every tip you got right when you walked into work on Monday, that would pretty much complete true Australian traditions. I'd be the best damn CEO ever.

Unfortunately, my season's got off to a crap start, probably because I've tied my fortunes too closely to Melbourne's (and they're 1-3). It's a common talking point: do you stick with your team with blind faith (when they're not favourites or they're playing away), or tip against them and risk missing that tip that could get you 8 out of 8? It's actually hard to get 8 all on your own (to win the jackpot) without tipping "a roughie". Winning it alongside other people means less cash. Mucho less cash.

The guy who's running our office tipping comp has done a great job of trying to include the non-footy fans and sending out pointers. Even if he is second last of 32 right now. It's awesome when you talk footy with the guys who've come from India or Europe to work here. I think every new Australian citizen needs to have a footy team to support before they should be allowed to register.

AFL may not be the world game, but it is the office game. It's a shame that our plastic footy got stuck on the roof yesterday night after a few of us decided to try a few torps with it outside. Probably not the greatest of ideas, but that's what happens when you get a bit footy mad.