America loves sports almost as much as we do in Australia; but all of theirs are on hiatus due to coronavirus.

Thankfully, the footy is still going, and with nothing else on Essendon’s match with Fremantle was promoted to a major cable channel - Fox Sports 1. It’s also available internationally via Watch AFL.

And those that are tuning in on a lazy Friday night are absolutely loving it.

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Round 18

Other people are watching live Australian Rules Football, right? — Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) March 21, 2020

Live sports alert!!! Aussie rules football is on FS1, but it isn’t too competitive as Essendon is kicking serious behinds (and more importantly, goals) and are up 49-22 over Fremantle in the 3Q. — Jeffrey Collins (@JSCollinsAP) March 21, 2020

While most of the US viewers are just plain confused, some like former NFL punter Pat McAfee are still sharing their excitement on social media.

“Watching this Aussie Rules Football. I think it’s my favorite sport I’ve ever seen. About 6 punts a minute right now,” he tweeted.

Watching this Aussie Rules Football.. I think it’s my favorite sport I’ve ever seen. About 6 punts a minute right now.



LET’S GOOOO MATES #ForTheBrand pic.twitter.com/OuzzRWSzQ0 — Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 21, 2020

Understandably, given his own NFL background, McAfee believes he could’ve made it at the elite level.

“I’ve watched one quarter of Aussie Rules Football and I already know that this sport was supposed to be my calling back in the day,” he said.

“This was supposed to be my sport.

“When my child arrives in the next couple (years), his a** is gonna be punting & punching balls all around the house.”

I’ve watched one quarter of Aussie Rules Football and I already know that this sport was supposed to be my calling back in the day.



This was supposed to be my sport.



When my child arrives in the next couple yrs, his ass is gonna be punting & punching balls all around the house. — Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 21, 2020

He was particularly confused by boundary line throw-ins: “WHOA.. what the f*** was the backwards overhead throw in thing? DIDN’T THINK THIS GAME COULD GET MORE ELECTRIC then the ball went out of bounds.”

The AFL then tweeted at McAfee asking who his favourite team was; but he’s yet to decide.

“I can’t believe this is my first time watching a game. This is amazing,” he said.

“I’m not ready to declare my fandom just yet. I think that’s going to be a rather large decision for me... Still trying to figure what the hell’s going on first.

“Seems like Essendon is a DOMINANT force though.”

I can’t believe this is my first time watching a game. This is amazing.



I’m not ready to declare my fandom just yet. I think that’s going to be a rather large decision for me... Still trying to figure what the hell’s going on first



Seems like Essendon is a DOMINANT force though pic.twitter.com/wXrKMxUcmE — Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 21, 2020

Shh, no-one tell him about the Bombers’ finals drought.

Although maybe we should let him know about their plan to face GWS in America in a few years’ time...