Why expose AFL to the NRL’s problems?
Roar Pro
By Andrew Birt, 2 Aug 2008 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Adelaide, AFL, Collingwood, Collingwood Magpies, Ireland, rugby, Sonny Bill Williams
Related coverage
- Collingwood Magpies news
- AFL news
- Toyota Premiership news
- Sonny Bill Williams news
- Collingwood vs Geelong news
Canada Northwind, The Finland Icebreakers and the Denmark Vikings aren’t ice hockey teams, they’re three of the sixteen international AFL teams preparing to visit coastal Victorian town Warrnambool for the third AFL International cup kicking off on August 31st.
The International Cup, part of Andrew Demetriou’s plans to expose the game to a global audience, is a month-long carnival of amateurs from all corners. It’s more a feel good exercise than aggressive competition.
However, as rugby league faces a crisis of confidence competing in a global market for talent like Sonny Bill Williams, is it wise for the AFL to continue pushing the game to an international audience?
In addition to the International Cup, the AFL stages an annual exhibition game in London and this year sent Collingwood and Adelaide to the Emirate State of Dubai, to further signal their intent of international exposure.
Whilst these initiatives are only really attended by booze fueled expats and a curious minority, the AFL should take note of the pressure the French Rugby Union and English Super League is applying to the NRL.
The NRL (then the ARL) was the largest professional rugby league competition in the world, but as the professionalism of the game has grown internationally, the revenue generated by higher media rights is giving clubs the resources to poach Australian league’s brightest stars.
Although the AFL’s international ambitions are in their infancy, and at present represent little more than a kick and giggle, the talk of an Irish-New York led consortium launching a Celtic brand AFL team could signal the arrival of a dangerous era for our indigenous code.
In 20 years time, if there was significant interest in our game, both Ireland and the US could potentially set-up up leagues that may expect similar financial pressures faced by rugby league in Australia.
At this stage, of course, this looks highly unlikely.
But if the AFL wishes to chase international interest and revenue they must be aware of the potential pitfalls if their initiative catches on.
While the Canada Northwind might not be able to purchase the Jonathon Brown’s of today, if international audiences develop the same zeal for the game that we share in Victoria, then who knows how the AFL would compete with revenues generated in larger markets.
Love this article? Nominate it for The Roar’s Armchair Sports Writer Award. Or vote now for this week’s nominated articles.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
AFL articles
- More rugby league players to defect to the AFL? (159)
- Mobile madness: Optus decision bad news for codes (153)
- Foxtel’s AFL coverage is nirvana for footy fans (88)
- AFL divisions are the way of the future (84)
- Israel Folau now ready for AFL (75)
- AFL’s most hated club turns 120 years old (75)
- Optus ruling actually a good thing for AFL fans (52)
- Giants inspired to prove doubters wrong (27)
- Malthouse not fazed by assistant issue
- Richo says look out for the Tigers in AFL
- AFL clubs’ leadership groups getting out of hand (13)
- Who’s to blame for the Majak Daw beat-up? (32)
- AFL Tigers need to step up, says Cotchin
- Riewoldt wants new Saints captain in 2013
- AFL clubs’ leadership groups getting out of hand (13)
- AFL divisions are the way of the future (94)
- Crows changing, but will this AFL preview change your life? (2)
- Is Heath Shaw the right leader for Collingwood? (11)
- Could a female coach succeed in the AFL? (35)
- Demons’ two captain Jacks the right leadership choice (5)
- Mobile madness: Optus decision bad news for codes (153)
- Explore:
- Adelaide, AFL, Collingwood, Collingwood Magpies, Ireland, rugby, Sonny Bill Williams
Norm said | August 2nd 2008 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
you’ve got nothing to worry about Andrew. Internationally Aussie Rules is going nowhere.
Redb said | August 2nd 2008 @ 10:35pm | Report comment
Andrew,
The most likely outcome and one the AFL is in a better position than the foreign football codes is to attract overseas players into the AFL as this is the premier comp for Australian football. Much like some of the Irish players now in the AFL.
Roy Masters bumbled through another column today in the SMH where be questioned the AFL’s efforts to take the game to other parts of the world through playing NAB Cup games in Dubai as if this was some sort of death wish by the AFL to expose its game to the harsh big money environment of international sport. He forgets the AFL would much like the EPL has but on a much bigger scale, benefit from overseas growth of the game as players would be attracted to the most elite comp.
Thus, if Aussie Rules was to ever seriously take hold in another country its likely its early recruits would very quickly wind up in the AFL anyway and this would only strengthen the AFL. There is simply too much of a gap between the AFL and the next biggest Aussie Rules comp.
Redb
Michael C said | August 2nd 2008 @ 10:38pm | Report comment
In the main, we are safe that AFL to expand overseas to ‘serious’ levels ain’t gonna happen – - if simply due the lack of OVALS of sufficient size!!
It’s unlikely that you’d see competing professional leagues – - the main thing is for the AFL to develop the international talent pathway, as, out of PNG and SthAfr for example, and, even to a degree New Zealand – - there WILL be potential players who become available.
The International Cup – - don’t ‘blame’ Demetriou for that one – - for those ‘followers’ of the growth in footy OS – the LACK of regard from AFL HO has been the issue, and, this appears the first IC that the AFL appears to be paying some real attention to – - – likewise some of the clubs, there seems a real recognition that there are some competitions overseas from which a player or 2 might be got OUTSIDE of the regular draft – - via the International Scholarship scheme, similar to the NSW Scholarship scheme.
There’s also the imperitive via the new NSW and QLD 2nd teams, which means that the NSW Scholarship will have to be effectively off the radar for a time. So – - with PNG kids coming through the QLD talent pathway, just watch for the first ‘true’ native PNG recruit to be drafted.
Now – - – even, even should some form of semi-pro competition kick off seriously somewhere OS – - it takes very wealthy individuals to contaminate the sport as has happened in RL, Soccer etc – - – however, you wouldn’t seriously see AFL overseas as being threatened by that – - – - well, not in this century!!
btw -
Norm – may I extend an invitation for you to come down to Melbourne in 4 wks and ask the amateur players of Aust Footy – who care so much as to save up time and cash to come down here to play a tournament – ask them what they reckon about the game…………some people just want to run (and not have to worry about a theoretical line across the ground), jump, kick, catch, and NOT tackle more than they kick……………..
Norm said | August 3rd 2008 @ 8:57am | Report comment
MC
unfortunately work & family commitments will prevent me from accepting your invitation & I would be interested in seeing foreigners play Australia’s game. The equation I want you to remember is world population outside of Aust relative to the numbers participating & following the IC.
Midfielder said | August 3rd 2008 @ 11:45am | Report comment
Redb
You lost me “foreign football codes” if you mean football, union, and league, well union around the same time in Australia as AFL, Football around 1870 and league in its 100th year. The phase “foreign football codes” also has a certain defensive ring to it. Perhaps maybe international codes is a better term. However calling league international is gilding the Lilly a tad as well.
Michael C said | August 3rd 2008 @ 9:25pm | Report comment
Norm –
ah, but, that’s exactly the point………the simple fact that in 2005, effectively the entire Madrid Bulls mad the effort to come out as the ‘Spanish national team’…………and at their quarter time huddles, not a word of English to be heard…….
The simple fact that in each nation, the ‘local footy community’ is SO small (on most scales), and, yet, out they come, out they come, out they come to play, just for recreation sake to pass the time away……………..
Michael C said | August 3rd 2008 @ 9:33pm | Report comment
“But if the AFL wishes to chase international interest and revenue they must be aware of the potential pitfalls if their initiative catches on. ”
This is a good question. Now that the AFL HQ HAS finally started showing SOME interest (AND also some of the clubs, with 4 participating in Sth Africa, Melb looking at China, Geelong working with Denmark etc) – - – well, one DOES just wonder what range of plans, dreams, etc might be considered.
Extra revenue though……that’s a little far fetched for the time being.
I still reckon in many respects that the volatility of the relationship with the Irish, and especially that they sought to and have discontinued junior level ‘hybrid’ International Rules matches – - means, the AFL needed a solid alternate for junior internationals – - – and, that’s Sth Africa. Remember though, that Sth Africa WAS NOT a direct AFL initiative, however, it became a personal interest of Colin Carter (until recently an AFL commissioner). And, maybe, the stars may align in Sth Africa – - – - it seems to be progressing nicely, the footywild is going very well and there are many stories of those parents and others who are engaged to assist who then take up the game…….and just love the ‘intuitive’ and athletic aspects of the game that DO NOT exist in soccer or rugby.
But – - when you establish your beach head amongst some of the poorest communities in such a country……..well, are you really seeking a revenue boost?
Westy said | August 4th 2008 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
No.No…….the AFL is quite safe in its push overseas. Its prime function is to grow the game and perhaps attract some overseas players into the AFL.
It may come as a surprise but the strongest professional league competition for the majority of League’s existence was overseas in England especially 1907 to 1970………..it was the advent of expanded leagues clubs in the 1960′s in NSW that finally stemmed the Australian quality player going overseas especially in the late 40′s and all the 50′s ..
It may surprise some but in the 50′s there was a higher proportion of star Australian players playing in England then even now
With the cost minimisation strategy of the NRL at the moment and the professionalism of Rugby the wheel has again turned to see expanding European super league and now rugby clubs buying Australian league players.Wait to Japan joins the stakes.It may well be league and rugby players in Australia may even have another market to go to.
The AFL has nothing to fear it is simply expanding interest and perhaps looking for a few more players for its competition in Australia.
Andrew Birt said | August 4th 2008 @ 1:22pm | Report comment
Enjoying reading the comments, learning quite a bit from all the various insights! Clearly, the AFL’s certainly not in any imminent danger but it’s interesting to consider the potential future scenarios – if for no other reason than to rebuke the idea, and crystalize why the AFLs future is safe and secure.
Michael C said | August 4th 2008 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
Andrew -
certainly AFL types need to be careful that we don’t get that for which we wish (via the back door, so to speak).
We are happy that there’s a vibrant ‘footy’ community in the US and Canada for example, and some juniors, and some womens footy over there too – - – we’re quite happy while it’s all small time, and we probably don’t want it to get too big. But, as with many things – - you can only control your children until they leave home……..whether by car as a young adult…..or, when you drop them off at Kinder.
So – - the thing now is that the AFL (deliberately and definitively NOT), sits with a small clutch of ‘children’ out in the real world. Will even just one or two really kick on?