The PM this week posted his tips on Facebook for both grand finals being held this weekend, as well as the rugby World Cup match. We award him six points for trying (that's a goal, by the way, Malcolm).

Ex-PM Kevin Rudd, known for his bookish tastes, was not the most convincing football fan either, although apparently he does have a decent knowledge of sport.

One of the Queenslander's most passionate outbursts was during a Brisbane Lions elimination final against Carlton in 2009.

As the Lions came back from a big deficit to run over the top of the Blues, K-Rudd could be seen in the stands applauding and raising his fists.

Rudd clearly wasn't faking it on that night. He even snuck into the rooms to join the players as they sung the theme song.

Photo: Paul Harris

One of the biggest hurdles for politicians is getting their head around a sport they're not familiar with.

Prime ministers from northern states have to learn the difference between a handball and holding the ball. Those from the south must be schooled in forward passes and offside rules.

Sitting next to Kevin Rudd in Brisbane that night was one of his advisers, Adam Collins. He said politicians understood the importance of football to voters, even if the end result could be a little bit awkward.

"They don't always know much about the game, and will sometimes miss the mark as a result, but good on them for having a go," he said.

Fake it 'til you make it? Here's how some of our other PMs showed us they cared about football.

Tony Abbott got booed at last year's NRL grand final

To be fair to him he's not the first and certainly won't be the last to have that happen. Might have also had something to do with him being a rugby union man.

He also had a go at trying to handball

And looks pretty serious about it too.

Photo: Glen McCurtayne

Julia Gillard is a pretty big Western Bulldogs fan

She once said there was more chance of her being made full-forward for the club than becoming prime minister.

John Howard preferred to take his morning walk in a Wallabies tracksuit.

And was a big cricket fan. Although he did also support his rugby league team the Dragons.

Photo: Fiona-Lee Quimby

And he also jumped on the Socceroos bandwagon at one point

Paul Keating didn't fool anyone by supporting Collingwood

And he wasn't much better at rugby league, noting that champion player Steve "Blocker" Roach had "kicked a lot of tries for Balmain".

Bob Hawke didn't really have to try hard to prove that he liked sport

"Any boss who sacks someone for not turning up to work today is a bum."

Probably because of moments like this

Skol, skol, skol, skol.

Malcolm Fraser was a number one ticket holder at Carlton

He invited players from the Blues premierships in 1981 and 1982 to The Lodge.

Gough Whitlam is more known for his contributions to the arts than to sport

Although apparently he was a rower at university.

Robert Menzies was another Carlton fan

He had a special platform built for his car at Princes Park after suffering a stroke.

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Photo: supplied

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