In fact, Perth is obsessed with sport - with cricket, football, rugby and Australian rules football attract crowds throughout the year.

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | Rugby World Cup | Venues Guide | City guide: Perth

He was a standard bearer for Australian football in an era when Australian Rules Football, the two rugby codes and cricket were dominant back home.

BBC: SPORT | Football | World Cup 2006 | Teams | Australia | Football on top Down Under

Ms Gillard also gave Mr Obama a souvenir Australian Rules football.

BBC: Julia Gillard gives Australian music mix to Obama

In January a new SportsCenter debuted in Australia and New Zealand, opening with a montage of clips from homegrown sports like rugby and Australian Rules football matches.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Earlier this month, the government released a report from the country's crime commission containing allegations of "widespread" doping across a range of sports, but mainly Australian Rules Football and rugby league.

BBC: Australia London 2012 Olympic swim team 'toxic'

According to a recent study, the signature anthem for Australian Rules football team Collingwood is one of the most popular funeral songs in Melbourne, together with Frank Sinatra's My Way and Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World.

BBC: Catholic Church in Australia bans pop music at funerals

And Australia's bid has the backing of all the country's main sporting bodies, after the government managed to secure a memorandum of understanding from Australian Rules Football (AFL), rugby league and rugby union authorities over the use of the nation's best stadiums should the country win the right to hold the event.

BBC: Beckham hands over England 2018 World Cup bid

Who knows anything about Australian-rules football?

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama & Prime Minister Gillard Visit Wakefield High School | The White House