Is it still our game or, like many other national icons, has its sovereignty been usurped by overseas influences?

I'm happy to blame soccer but throw in its close relation hockey, if you like. Add a touch of rugby - yes, rugby - to the mix.

Our game's history was built on a simple premise: attack before defence.

Its halcyon days were in the 1970s and '80s when high-scoring shoot outs abounded and midfielders didn't have the word 'accountability' in their vocabulary.

Instead of continuing to develop the code in glorious isolation - drawing on the indigenous influences of Marn Grook or free-spirited colonial attitude of a fledgling nation forging its own sporting rules - professional clubs with an abundance of cash and staff thought there could be a competitive edge in making a close study of other football codes and team sports.

What did it lead to? The Australian Football League disguised as the English Football Association.

No longer a game where the player's first instinct is attack or forward movement, the buzzword in our code is now defensive accountability. Translation: stop your opponent first, then when you win possession, move the ball laterally, or backwards to a designated sweeper, where a point of attack can then be pondered - generally to an open side of the ground with uncontested possession.

If the need arises, switch the play in defence - again with uncontested movement - until a clear opening presents itself.

Meanwhile, the opposition adopts a midfield zone in the hope of forcing a turnover. Often when it does, the two steps backwards, one step forward charade is repeated.

Fans are treated to prolonged periods of chess-like movements between half-back lines and low-scoring dogfights which have their appeal in the level of pressure created or closeness of scores. Club cheer squads should begin rehearsing some soccer-style chants to fill the break in attacking transmission as we head towards some 1-1 and 2-2 draws.