Oklahoma Buffaloes Founder Shares Passion For Australian Rules Football

“Australian Rules Football” appears similar to U.S. football and Rugby, but it is a sport all on its own.

The Oklahoma Buffaloes are one of the teams in the United States Australian Football League.

The founder, Dustin Brasel, visited the Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch to share his passion for Australian Rules Football. 

Image Provided By: Dustin Brasel

What are the general rules for Australian Rules Football?

To score, you kick the ball between 4 posts at each end of the field. You can move the ball by kicking, running, and hand passes (like volleyball, no throws). You can tackle and use your body to separate your opponent from the ball. The game is played on a field that is twice as long as a football field and 1.5 times wider. There are 18 players per side, 36 people on the field at once.

When was the team formed?

I created the team in 2010 when I moved back from Dallas. I missed playing and the camaraderie of my Dallas team, so I created my own team. 

How long have you been playing this sport?

I started playing in 2004 - Twenty years! 

How many team members are there?

We have about 30 players spread throughout Oklahoma and some that join us from Florida and Minnesota.  

Image Provided By: Dustin Brasel

Do you compete regionally?

We play teams from Dallas, Houston, Austin, KC, Des Moines, Denver, Chicago, St. Louis and from all over the U.S. when we go to Nationals held in Austin This year.

What do you love so much about this sport?

I love that everyone can play. Your age, fitness level, body type isn’t important. It takes all kinds, and we welcome everybody. Plus, unlike football or baseball, everyone gets to touch the ball. You could be defending one second and attacking the next. You use your whole body, running, kicking, jumping, tackling; it takes everything. The best thing about our club is the culture. We work hard to make sure that everyone has fun and gets out of the club what they want. We focus on player development, and it has paid off. We were National Champions in 2017 and have finished 2nd a few times.  

Image Provided By: Dustin Brasel

Practices are held on Wednesday nights at 6 at Dream Keepers Park in Tulsa. Their next two games will be held at Dream Keepers Park on Aug. 31 at 11 a.m.

For more information, check out the Oklahoma Buffaloes' Facebook page.