We look at some of the Aussie Rules terms that make sense to us

WHAT exactly do Americans make of Aussie Rules?

Much likes Aussies and American Football, there’s a host of terms and “lingo” that probably just fly over the head of most.

With Mason Cox grabbing headlines in Collingwood’s preliminary final win and run to the Grand Final, we’ve put together some of the terms our state-side friends are likely to hear if they catch Saturday’s decider.

It will be a late night for those on the east coast with the first bounce for New York, Boston etc at 12.30am.

Magpies fan and Denver Broncos defensive end Adam Gotsis will have a slightly earlier start at 10.30pm on Friday night American time.

While on the west coast - Seattle (where Sydney’s Michael Dickson plays), San Francisco and Los Angeles - the Grand Final will start at 9.30pm on Friday.

HOW DOES MASON COX COMPARE?
While Aussie Rules is played predominantly by Aussies, international imports aren’t unheard of.

In fact, Ireland has produced some of the very best our game has seen.

Americans, such as Cox, are becoming more attractive thanks to their height and mobility with a pre-draft combine held in LA.

The Collingwood star is akin to Jarryd Hayne or Nathan Walker.

Hayne was successful in code-hopping from rugby league to gridiron as a running back and kick/punt returner, playing eight games with San Francisco.

Walker became the first Australian to play in the NHL last year after debuting with Washington Capitals.

AUSSIE RULES LINGO FOR AMERICANS

HANDBALLS
Or handpass. Perhaps the most confusing aspect for overseas visitors. The strange tradition of needing to punch the ball in order to pass it to a teammate.

MARKS
Like a reception in American Football, a mark can only be taken from a kick and gives the taker a free shot at either handpassing or kicking to another teammate.

SPECCIES
A variation on the mark reserved for the most special of catches. Also referred to a hangers or screamers. These marks are often high-flying or pack marks that stun the crowd.

GOALS AND BEHINDS
colloquially referred to as majors or sausage rolls, goals are when the ball is kicked through the middle posts (or big sticks) and is worth six points. As touchdowns are in gridiron. Behinds are when the ball goes through the smaller posts on either side and are only worth one point.

The goal umpires have also proved a mystery to outsiders with their weird hand signals. Long story, short ... two points for a goal, one for a behind and then wave the flags.

DON’T ARGUE
Known as a ‘stiff arm’ in US sports, it refers to the palming off of a rival attempting a tackle. A tactic famously used by the likes of Dustin Martin and Lance Franklin.

MAGGOTS
The loving term used to describe umpires, usually yelled in frustration from the crowd. Until recently, umpires exclusively wore white and thus white maggots. However, the AFL has now introduced a range of colours into the umpire’s uniform. The colour is interchangeable in front of the word maggot.