By Pippinu -
November 4th 2009 @ 1:56am
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The last word on the code wars
It’s 1976 and I’m 14. It’s the last year that I am eligible for a junior membership, which, at that time, for the princely sum of $1.50, allowed you entry to all 22 VFL games of your chosen club (in my case, that was, and is, Footscray).
It’s an okay year for the Scraggers, relatively speaking, and history shows that we scraped into the top 5 after managing a draw in our final game against the top team, Carlton.
But we only won ten games for the year, meaning I had to endure eleven agonising defeats along the way – as I said, relatively successful for the Scraggers!
That season included four trips out to Waverley, and to get there from Footscray by public transport, it was definitely a case of taking a cut lunch, plus a cut dinner for the journey back.
I have a very clear memory of taking on Fitzroy out at Waverley during the season.
They were as unfashionable then as they were for most of the previous century, and took the wooden spoon that season.
Thus it was no surprise that only 7,000 hardy souls turned out to see this fixture on a bitterly cold, windswept day – and the quality of the footy was very reflective of the climatic conditions.
Perversely, it was such a forgettable game that it has left a lasting impression on me. Footscray won the game 4:11:35 to 3:16:34, and as you can see, it was quite a low scoring game.
But here’s the rub: Footscray scored a goal against the wind in the opening 20 seconds of play, and scored the winning goal after the final siren sounded, meaning we effectively only scored two goals in 2 hours of play!
As the clock ticked on towards the 30 minute mark of the last quarter, it really did look like we weren’t going to get that goal, so we started making the long walk around the non-members side to the exit, keeping an eye on whether we were within coo-ee of our own goals.
I can’t remember how exactly, but the next thing we knew, Alan Stoneham had taken a mark on the boundary, directly in front of us, where we were standing above the staircase that would take us down into the bowels of Waverley.
The siren went and we just looked at each other, we didn’t have to say a word: after all that, we’re not going to win this are we?
These were the days before the banana became de rigueur, so Stoneham went straight back, and with no angle to speak of, executed the perfect drop punt that split the sticks.
I can remember our reaction, we didn’t cheer, or jump up, or anything like that – we just laughed out loud, and laughed and laughed and laughed – running out of the stadium to jump on the first bus out of Waverley.
On the bus, we ran into those Footscray supporters who hadn’t hung around.
So disgusted were they, that when we told them we had actually won, absolutely none of them were happy: “didn’t deserve to win”; “they were bloody hopeless, every one of ‘em!”
The train trip from Waverley back to the city was always a long and boring one, but occasionally the footy fans on board from either side would provide some light relief.
On this occasion, there was a bloke from Sydney sitting directly opposite us and he had just been to the game.
He started to talk about rugby league, and how it was a much better game, as we looked at him blankly.
A couple of rows back, a drunk German bloke started to shout out strange words, like: “zie fuhrer!!”
We had no idea what he was talking about, but strangely enough, he was making more sense than this bloke from Sydney.
With all this going on around me, my only thought was: f@rk, I hate coming out to Waverley to watch the footy.
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(481)
katzilla said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:37am | Report comment
1st word in a thread claiming to be the Last word! Zoinks!
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 8:36am | Report comment
katz
I was about to say you are the first and last to comment – and thus I had achieved my life long ambition of bringing the code wars to an end – alas – someone put up a second comment – damn!!
Rodney McDonell said | November 4th 2009 @ 8:27am | Report comment
This was an article on code wars? Sounds more like a trip down memory lane. That article is not my cuppa tea… it probably would have been if the content reflected the title.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 8:37am | Report comment
Rodney
and in your shortish comment – you have successfully synthesised the whole of my article – and the true nature of the code wars – thank you.
AndyRoo said | November 4th 2009 @ 8:48am | Report comment
This article was about AFL but in the AFL tab…. that’s a new twist
I do remember paying $2 to watch Balmain vs Brisbane (and you could sit anywhere). It was the first game they used video evidence or such to cite someone with the general feeling being it not fair and if the ref didn’t see it you should get away with it.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 8:51am | Report comment
Andy
I initially attempted to pump up the “code war” angle by having it categorised as “football” – but the editors picked up on it!!!
Redb said | November 4th 2009 @ 9:41am | Report comment
The crossed arms brigade will never learn to appreciate other sports
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 9:54am | Report comment
Redb
you weren’t in that same train carriage with me in 1976 by chance??
Redb said | November 4th 2009 @ 10:41am | Report comment
Intrinsic in all football code wars is the punter/poster who says: “tried it, didnt like it, my games better”. Fair chance they sat arms crossed didnt bother to find out the rules, differences in game play,etc. Yawn!
Young children establish speech problems from their hearing – doesn’t make sense right. But the fact is they listen and learn to speak from what they hear. If the ears are blocked or impaired their prefectly fine vocal chords mirror the sounds and speech is subsequently affected.
The same sort of thing applies to football codes, having been brought up watching a certain type of football game play it becomes subsconsiously enshrined in your sporting appreciation neurones as right. Anything else looks wrong/different. You have to unlearn to understand and appreciate all the football codes.
It is why the AFL and other sports spend time on juniors, schools,etc becuase by the time many people become adults it is too late, they will cross their arms and expect to be instantly entertained.
Redb
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 10:50am | Report comment
This bloke did sit with his arms crossed – but in fairness, he was trying hard not to draw the attention of the drunk German.
Also, it has to be said, if the people who attended the game didn’t enjoy it much (and we’re talking about a one point win after the siren!!) – then this bloke from Sydney didn’t stand a chance!!
And that’s just another layer, one of many, that criss cross this topic.
It’s complicated folks, very complicated.
I also left the bit out about making eyes at the girls on the train wearing Fitzroy colours.
There comes a moment in a 14 year old’s life when he has to think long and hard about his undying devotion to his club above all other things (even if it is but a momentary lapse).
AndyRoo said | November 4th 2009 @ 10:55am | Report comment
It’s true…. I can come up with no other reason for why I love cricket. There is definitely no logic to it that is for sure.
M1tch said | November 4th 2009 @ 9:45am | Report comment
I’m sure there will be many more code war articles
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 10:51am | Report comment
This is not the last word, i have a grand announcement to make, after reading some of those links on the last site about sheedy wanting to take on NZ, and some PNG guy living his dream(get out of PNG free card, and some irish dudes coming over for a holiday in the VFL comp, and another? oh the Sth African refugee. Very nice, going to a country thats pretty much like his own. Very international.
So my announcement, A.F.L, please stop digging a big hole which you never can excape. Their is no such thing as international AFL. Hear me out, we have Rugby Union, Rugby League and soccer, not to mention the acadamies that AFL are building in QLD and NSW. My question, why.
I heard some guy saying that a basketball player was sadly lost to AFL because he never played their game. Why would he, he can make millions overseas playing basketball, 10 of millions, but the AFL wants this kid for their own benifit, why.
Let go of the pole, please, here is a promo, all you rugby soccer and league players out their, and any tall basketball players, stop what your doing, forget your international pathways, forget playing for your country. Do we have a oppurtunity for you, come joinn the Aussie rules family, where you will live your dreams down under, and represent a club of our choice and become a huge star, in Melbounre.
And after we are finished with you, you can become one of our private missionaries to wonder the earth telling all and sundry what a great game you played, what a great game this so-called aussie game is, forget about the other codes, nobody can explore australia like us Marn Grooky followers can, we even have a team in Tassie, Hold on, no we dont, their not worthy, stench of the earth but we keep them happy with one day, you to may dream. ?
BULLOCKS,, its the biggest pile of dribble i have ever read. Young kids want to play for their country and see the world, AFL will not, and can never cater for this around the world. Send the under 16’s on a holiday camp to Africa, yeah beauty.
League Union and soccer have been doing this for decades. The under 15 school rugby league national Australian team went to England in 1974, i know, because i was a unhappy hooker who missed out on the trip. Cheers.
And this is the campaign i would be unleasing on the AFL, just to put them in their place. I am sick of this we want every talent in the country, go jump. The other codes offer so much more and the brainwashing needs to stop, right here right now. As the Scientology guy said on a current affairs.
I want to see my kid playing for his country, not back-yard rules.
Get behind me guys, lets rock this planet.
Redb said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:10am | Report comment
let’s go further and eliminate rugby league so that we have just two global sports to concentrate on: soccer and rugby.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Two? Surely that’s one too many!!
M1tch said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
I knew thats what you wanted …all along lol
K B said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:30am | Report comment
That’s a nice piece Oikee — glad you wrote it and these Marn Grooky followers
have dug a hole so deep now that they will find it so hard to fill it back in when their star Grooky convert Karmichael Hunt, resigns for the Brissie Broncos — when he reads the fine print that he will have to end his career playing Grooky in South Africa, instead of the London Broncos in the UK…
~~~~~~~
KB
cab711 said | November 26th 2009 @ 2:58pm | Report comment
Oikee thats priceless mate. What a fantastic response, I am well behind you. Cheers!
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:03am | Report comment
“all you rugby soccer and league players out their, and any tall basketball players,”
Oikee
don’t you want the short basketball players to jump on board?
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Oikee
maayte – if we’re going to end up reading posts like that – we’ll all be wishing the code wars were over already!!
Sam M said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Yeah those international pathways in League are amazing… the North of England, now that’s a cultural change for the better… Or the one team in France that has a biased for picking French players (rightly so)… Oh wait there’s a Welsh team, now that’s a mighty impressive country that all and sundry would want to play in, oh wait it’s not even it’s own country…
Not that Union is much better…
Glass houses…
Kettles and Pots…
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:28am | Report comment
Very nice Sam, wonder if you have ever been to Nth England, besides New Zealand, its the best place i have ever seen. And the guys also traveled to sth France. Playing super league they can explore the whole of Europe. Our national rugby league teams normally head to Mexico for holidays, whats your point.
North England is wonderful , i would recommend it to anyone and live their in a heartbeat.
Colin N said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
“Very nice Sam, wonder if you have ever been to Nth England, besides New Zealand, its the best place i have ever seen”
That’s the first thing I have ever agreed with oikee about, the North of England is a wonderful place (in certain areas) and I’m very lucky to have resided there all my life.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:46am | Report comment
I’ve never met an Australian who has had a longish trip to England and not enjoyed it.
Gibbo said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
does that say something about england or aussie tourists?
Sam M said | November 5th 2009 @ 6:30am | Report comment
There’s nothing wrong the North of England, and yes I have been there. It was a reference to your comments regarding Rugby League’s ‘International’ aspects and your sarcastic comments regarding PNG players in AFL etc.
How does Super League allow you to explore the whole of Europe? Because you’re close by and you can take a holiday? Or because your team went on holidays to Mexico? Big deal, the AFL season is shorter and you get paid more so you can take a holiday anywhere you want too. That is my point.
If you’re going to pick on a sport for trying to build it’s own international scene, try leaving Rugby League out of it. And finally
Mushi said | November 12th 2009 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
I’ve been to Northern England and whilst nice to visit I’d be suffering from self inflicted shotgun wounds if forced to live there
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:15am | Report comment
Well, until all the codes of Australia are under the one roof, and i mean one roof, where talent can be selected to each code, which it can , we will have code wars. I am not starting the code wars, its already going on, every second word from a afl followers mouth mentions this, lets take NZ, now the islands, put that post in about us stealing a sth african, and that png is a good story, oh dont forget to mention the irish , I think i got away with it, did i mention the war. Sounds like Faulty Towers.
All codes have good representation around oz, and most will grow, we dont need to keep putting our kids in jersey’s before the age of 2, let them grow up without biase,,, for crying out softly. I have 4 codes here in Brisbane, my kids get the pleasure of following any which code they like, i have no influience over them whatsoever. Their is more to this, i will tell the story at a later date.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:28am | Report comment
Oikee
you don’t influence your kids?
The thing about a dad influencing the kids (without the mum’s full support) is that the kids simply add it to their armoury of buttons to push.
So, I’m upset about something they’ve done – they’re going to make me pay one way or the other for telling them off – a good one is to say: “I hate the bulldogs”.
What did you just say??!!
AndyRoo said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:33am | Report comment
a good one is to say: “I hate the bulldogs”.
What did you just say??!!
hahahaha
loved that.
I can see his little face go white when he realises he has gone to far….runs of under the table yelling “I meant Canterbury”
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:37am | Report comment
I tell you what Andyroo – lucky for them that corporaral punishment is frowned upon!!
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:43am | Report comment
“I meant Canterbury”
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:51am | Report comment
Interestingly, my 8 year old son is only now starting to unravel what the various mascots are (and kids of that age are really more attracted to names, colours and mascots than the actual game itself).
He recently wanted to buy a new DS game that featured fights between the mascots – something likd Mascot Mania. He ended up with the AFL one, but really wanted the NRL one.
Why? He likes some of the mascots, notably, the dragons, knights, warriors, etc
But he enjoys playing the other one nevertheless.
With the A-League, in our games of corridor or backyard soccer, he always wants to be the Phoenix.
He wouldn’t have a clue where Wellington is, but he’s heard of the phoenix, he likes mythical creatures, he knows there’s a Harry Potter book and film about one, etc etc
Our loyalties to sports or clubs can arise from a wide range of sources – most of them are an absurd explanation for what might become a life long addiction – but that’s the way it is.
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:57am | Report comment
Thanks Pip, i am sending that straight to league headquaters, we have the Titans, next might be the Trolls, northern trolls, like we have on here sometimes.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
You just reminded me – the Titans is another one of the names he likes (mythology ,etc).
In fact he ended up taking over one of my old computer games – the Age of Mythology – he just loves seeing the mythical creatures fight each other!!
AndyRoo said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
I dismissed Mr Cheese recommendations for names as silly….but seems he was right all along.
Penrith Pichuchus coming to the A league soon.
Also Oikee the NRL need to mandate having a big and small mascott. The panthers have a big panther and a baby panther (he wears a nappy) and the kids love it.
So the Knights need one guy on a full size horse but also need some one on a pony.
Redb said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
or I hate collingwood / support anyone who plays them.
captain nemo said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:16am | Report comment
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:29am | Report comment
capt nemo
don’t be shy – you’re amongst friends – get it off your chest!!
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:31am | Report comment
Understand Pip, but my post was about it being a perfect world.
All codes, living in harmony. Wishful thinking.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Oikee
“live there in a heartbeat. ”
Is that an allusion to that old English cop show?
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:48am | Report comment
You nailed it Pip,
Heartbeat country, Creatures great and small.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:55am | Report comment
Both terrific shows – although I haven’t seen Heartbeat on TV for at least 10 years.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:42am | Report comment
The interesting thing about people getting uptight about whatever is happening in the other codes is thtat we don’t react the same way to whatever is happening in hockey, or lacrosse or korfball.
For instance, was anyone getting uptight when lacrosse and korfball was first introduced to Australia?
Was anyone accusing Canada and Holland of harbouring imperialist intentions on Australia?
So now Australia, spends a tiny amount of money and effort – and folks it’s absolutely tiny – in places like Sth Africa, PNG and New Zealand – and all hell breaks loose.
But if the Koninklijk Nederlands Korfbalverbond tries to introduce korfball into PNG – I doubt any of us would have anything to say about it.
So what really, truly is at the heart of the code wars?
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:53am | Report comment
Just on that point Pip, i would like to say one thing, could all you people who love the action packed sport of Golf, yes golf, a recreational sport if ever there was one, could all you followerers of this exciting sport please go waste your time following Hockey, much better spectator sport.
Or in Pips case, give Korfball a go. cheers.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:58am | Report comment
Speaking of Hockey, ever since Australia lost the gold medal play off to NZ in 1976 (our last chance for gold, putting us many positions behind NZ on the medal tally that year) – most of us have followed both Australian hockey teams in each successive Olympics.
In fact, I also went to see quite a few games when Melbourne hosted the world championships around 1983 – all very enjoyable.
But for whatever reason – we don’t cling to hockey in big numbers as we do with the football codes.
If we could understand that – it would go a long way to understanding the code wars better.
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
Mate, i was watching the womens world championship hockey not long ago, thouroughly enjoyed it,. Yes, hockey, the silent acheiver yet to be found by the masses. By no means boring, unlike golf, shuu shuu, hes teeing off, be quite, now put up the cheer plaque, he hit a ball on the freeway, ? where is it, is it on the road, no the freeway you idiot, now walk down and follow the players and watch them sink that little ball into that little hole, every now and then they sink a lucky one. ?
Just watch the 2 minute replays on fox you time wasting tits.
Art Sapphire said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Because hockey is a stupid game, your feet always get in the way.
I don’t know how that helps with understanding code wars any better.
All I can say is Waverley Park was what you Catholics must think purgatory is like.
I am so grateful they shut it down
Going to the 2nd Circle of Hell that was Victoria park was more fun.
Michael C said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
you’re right…hockey is a bit of a stupid game…..
and they don’t make left handed sticks…
and it’s just too much like soccer with sticks.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
“your feet always get in the way”
Art
you might be on to something there!
Art Sapphire said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
Anyone playing hockey should do so legless. Guaranteed to improve your game
captain nemo said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
Pip, regarding South Arica, it is more the way Aussie Rules has gone about it. As Steve from South Africa said, to go to his country and hand out food/ T-shirts and then sign them up to play oz kick and use the “we have 17000 oz kick players” in SA as a marketing tool is crook mate. In fact it stinks and i dislike that the name Australia is attached to it. Steve from SA claims to work with these people and he believes it stinks. problem is that when VICs go to a place that has never heard of AFL, they do not know how to modify their approach because they have been raised in a world where AFL is a religion, talked about 24/7. As you have said pip, “SA should finally get the chance to kick a footy”, comes across as arrogant mate, really arrogant. In their eyes they already can kick a football or a rugby ball. I do not get that impression from the Lacrosse community. If they came to Oz claiming you can finally hit a ball, our response would be we already have cricket, hockey, tennis, golf etc etc. aussies raised in Brisbane and Sydney have been raised where we follow a number of sports at once so can take a step back see what is going on, in VIC, AFL is so huge, so all consuming, so dominate and community are so fanatical, they find it hard to step back an smell the roses. This is obvious in SA
Redb said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
actually, he didnt say that. Steve said IF that is the case!
Armstrong has has been involved with AFL and South Africa provides actual insight.
AndyRoo said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
Well I wonder if when the Korfball people started up in Australia they were all “this is going to blow you ozzies away”
it’s just that no one heard them.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
capt Nemo
Another poster came on, who is actually involved in Footy Wild in SA with a different perspective – you should go back and read it.
Now honestly – does anyone out there honestly believe the AFL would be so morally bankrupt as to hand out food parcels in exchange for people’s names on a list?
captain nemo said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
pip, if it looks like, smells like, feels like and tastes like unowhat, then it probably is unowhat. I can’t remember whether it was you, MC or Red who said that the 2nd coming of christ to VIc would play second string to the AFL. Also one of you guys said in a post once that when they are in Sydney it feels like they are not in Australia because of the lack of footy posts. yes pip, regarding food parcels for a name, its been done in the third world by religious groups since time begun, wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
Yes – I have used that line about the 2nd coming, and Sydney feeling foreign because of the lack of quadruple posts.
But it’s a big jump from that to what people are suggesting about the work being done in some very small parts of SA – once again – read the post from the bloke who is actually involved in Footy Wild in SA.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
You don’t hit a ball in Lacrosse.
captain nemo said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
my appologies pip, you learn something new everyday!!! please change the word lacrosse in my post to tiddly winks.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
I used to own the Donald Duck Tiddlywinks game – I came quite adept at putting the wink into the cup.
JiMMM said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
“So what really, truly is at the heart of the code wars?”
That my sport is best and that everyone who follows another sport is a bogan who can barely wipe thier own arse let alone think decently about a sport.
To put it in a not so volitile manner it is in part an attempt to create parochialism about not only a club / franchise but about a competition (reds under the bed syndrome). You will notice that Rugby League is never out to get the VFL, SANFL, QAFL but only the AFL. That Aussie Rules is only after NRL teams heartlands (if it’s not metropolitan Sydney it’s not a real place attitude). This attempt is worded in such a way that it might seem like someone is after your club, but it is always the competition adminsitrators and journo’s who make a living off thier competition who are pushing the code war.
The other minor part is a code war is a way of combining all of the codes supporters against a common foe as you would normally in an international competition. Aussie Rules for obvious reasons, Rugby League an interstate competition (State of Origin) is considered the pincale of the game and not the internationals. Union and League have been brawling for more than 100 years now but you rarely hear of a code war between union and the AFL or soccer, and most soccer supporters have a massive chip on thier shoulders regarding the status of thier code in Aus so will look for a brawl with any code that might look at them sideways.
So in closing I quite enjoyed your article Pip and found it enlightening, and of course to mention that the reason that people don’t complain about Hockey is that we all know it is the best sport in the world and that anyone who doesn’t think so is a bogan who can’t wipe thier own arse let alone think properly about a sport.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
JiMMM
very well put – good post!
I especially liked this line: “is a bogan who can barely wipe thier own arse”
Redb said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
Captain Nemo?
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
Pleased to see you give Hockey a wrap there Jimmm. Nothing wrong with Hockey 1 hockey 2 hockey 3.
JiMMM said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
Thanks
I do try to sneek a wrap into most posts I make (given I play, umpire and administrate the sport), oh and for everyone’s reference due to the financial crisis “Hockey 2″ and “Hockey 3″ have been let go and are no longer involved in the game
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
Thats why i mentioned digging a big hole in my 1st post, AFL followers will be looking at the recruitment of one or 2 countries and be thinking, we are expanding ever further into the world. On the other hand, everyone plays soccer around the world, and at least rugby league recruits the already migrated Sudanise, (yes like AFL does) and gets them up to speed without saying, we dragged him “out of Africa” so he could enjoy our wonderful game.
Digging the hole, looking from the outside and being able to understand the way things work, the opportunities for kids, afl would be the last code i would join, but most kids nth of Melbourne realise this, its just AFL that thinks its lost player numbers and can grow the code to the same size of Melbounre, ? So who is going to build a 80 100 thousand stadium for this massive following.
To be honest, nobody. The sport will grow to around what it is now, not much larger, with a slight decrease over time as other codes set up shop and introduce opportunities for kids in other staes, thats reality. And is pretty much why AFL is going north, they know the other codes are about to take off down south, new stadium for league, union , soccer Melbounre, and not long before we wake-up the other 2 states.
I repeat, their is no international rules, their is no second comp, even if they started now, it would take at least 20 years to get it up to scratch, but you have 2 extra clubs here in oz to support, international rules has stalled, maybe change your name to international rules. IR, now where have i heard that before.
Redb said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
Drivel.
AndyRoo said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:41pm | Report comment
He has to get his best shots in now because this is The last word on the code wars
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
Andyroo, thats a absolute classic, a panther in a nappy, no way, i have now gone to change my nappy, i think i just wet it.
Interesting, very, will be sending all comments straight to league headquaters, very amusing.:)
Midfielder said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
Pip & Oikee
Never under estimate how the AFL could expand overseas if they choose the right place… to venture into establised markets like PNG / NZ / SA / Europe … it’s at the fringe and those players who cannot make other teams..
If AFL is realy series about AFL expansion overseas it needs to invest in Asian … otherwise it will never reach the potential it has….
Must be damm hard but for the AFL board… to pick the right place invest the funds in an area thery have little media support and no relationships with governments… But I guess that is there challenge … the easy answer is it’s too hard …
You cannot have your cake and eat it too… small local competitions from already sports fixed countries will offer little.. either spend the dosh to make it work or say we cannot make it without media and governemnt support so we won’t try…
IMO AFL has at best a 20 year window but needs to act sooner rather than latter … because Football / RU & RL to are all planning expansions to their international programs… in 20 to 30 years the sporting landscape will be a lot different to today and having international teams will be important…
Redb said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
Mid,
I dont agree with Asia at all as the first stop for AFL The biggest problem is the lack of suitable grounds, very few ovals in Asia. Also think the body type is not ideal given generally shorter stature.
Also doubt your 20 year window – the main thing the AFL has to concentrate on is bedding down new NSW and QLD teams, international aspect is perhaps 5-10% of development.
International recruitment is far more important than international expansion and more realistic, even then still only of some importance in the scheme of things.
What the other football codes do is their business – your post contains a subtle threat that once given a foothold the other codes will run over the top. Been reading Oikees posts too much. hehehe
.
Redb
Midfielder said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
Redb
You miss read my tho’s my post was nothing to do with who is best or worst… I also maintain that right now Asia has not t fixed and and all powerful code… Football would be the most advanced by not like in Europe or South Amercia… Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, Football, RU … are all setting themselves up as a sport to watch the middle class is growing and still young thus new habits are being established… within 20 years if you are not building today it will be hard to break in, but right now it is open for anyone..
Maybe this sounds a little sour … but in countries that sports are already established you will get very few great players as the best will be playing the established codes …
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:21pm | Report comment
Mid
but aussie rules is an easier game and requires less skill – so we can deliberately target all the uncos of the world!
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
It was slow to get going, but some wonderful comments are now coming – and they are all being put up in the spirit of brotherhood, peace and harmony – it’s bringing a tear to my eye.
bever fever said | November 4th 2009 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
The real question is .. why did your parents let you go to waverly at 14. (attempt at humour)
Quite common back then , but gee generally parents keep a closer eye on their kids these days.
I was roughly the same age as you in 76 and i know we would just take off for the day and parents never seemed to worry to much.
AndyRoo said | November 4th 2009 @ 2:05pm | Report comment
I spent large chunks of my childhood playing games and hanging around in the street. We would also jump the fence to get into the local high school on a weekend to use there football pitch or basketball court, and would run around playing hide and seek amongst the school buildings occasionally climbing on the roofs.
Nowadays I would have a juvenile record for tresspassing and be described as engaging in gang related behavior.
I would also step outside the front fence at around 9:00 am and return around 7 pm with no mobile phone for emergencies!!!
Matt S said | November 4th 2009 @ 2:09pm | Report comment
We’ve had Nigerians, Congalese, Ivory Coast, Zimbabweans, Moroccans, Tunisians and Black South Africans already play league at high levels in France & UK in rugby league. I hear the Brisbane Broncos have a Sudanese and Zimbabwean (Gideon Zembe) on their books.
And don’t forget the NRL has had a Nigerian Prince grace the top level. Who could forget Martin ‘Chariots’ Offiah. He also played in England and scored more than 500 tries in his career!
Can’t wait to see one of the African refugee boys grace top level league here in Oz because there’s nothing better than seeing an athletic player in full flight (without having to bounce a ball).
M1tch said | November 4th 2009 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
French Rugby League was slammed by the richies in France because it embraced black players.
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 2:51pm | Report comment
Mate, i am tearing up here, yes totally forgot abot “Chariots of fire” what a gem he was, and yes someone mentioned all the Nth Africans in the French league, think it was our little mate Mitch below.
Now hold on, at least we did not go over to their country and give them gifts and told them we are going to “let their people go” Ten commandments.
NO, their are no slaves in rugby league, we are a family that just wants your country to be as good as they can be, we will, Unite Lebenon. Cheers.
Michael C said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
“there’s nothing better than seeing an athletic player in full flight (without having to bounce a ball).”
Olympics track events.
anyone can run in a straight line and fall down at the end……full flight my foot!!!
Redb said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:01am | Report comment
take five steps and then get jumped on by 3 gorillas.
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 2:56pm | Report comment
Hey Matt, what about those poor Nigerians down in Melbourne, “no, no, no, i dont want to play this aussie rule game, i want to immulate my Prince, Prince Martini Offy-eye-ya, he played the greatest game, rugby league. Let our people go, let us move to the promised lands of QLD, and New south Wales”.. Arrggghhh..!!!!
Matt S said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:05pm | Report comment
Well, we’re being forced against our will .What chance the poor Africans.
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
Now i get it, remember those clips and documentries about the Africans, the women, remember the women dancing up and down, now remember the chant, Offy-eye-ya, offy-eye-ya. Now i get it, always wondered what they were chanting.
Look at that, we also give out history lessons on the roar site. Nice work Pip.
M1tch said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
^^^^
yay im helping
Brett McKay said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
Pip, can I just say that this is THE most ambitious heading I’ve ever seen on The Roar!!
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:41pm | Report comment
Brett
I sort of have this fuzzy notion that any time some one goes off topic, and descends in to something that looks suspiciously like code war baiting – that they can be politely (or even rudely) directed to this thread where they can attempt to be the ones to have the last word on the matter.
The absurd combination of both the title, my little tale, and people’s attempts to get the last word in will produce a sort of poetic justice which puts it all in its proper context.
This sort of reminds of a thread I can recall on the Victory forum, which is probably an idea that has been used on the online world many times: Last one to post on here wins $5.
Whoever can get the last word in on the code wars will win from me $10.
Michael C said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:53pm | Report comment
Pip,
are you excluded???
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
He is a smart cookie M.C, must be the AFL coming out in him, never lose sight of a tenner, even if you just lost 20.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 4:47pm | Report comment
MC/Oikee
I’m automatically excluded.
But we need a means of determining the winner.
If the last comment shows one date – and my congratulations post shows a date of two days hence – then we have our winner.
For example – Oikee might put the final post up tonight and thta will be 7/11.
come the morning of 9/11, if Oikee’s post remains the last one – I owe him $10 – I will then work out with the editors how to get the $10 to Oikee.
It’s the least I can do.
As they used to say in the 60s: make love, not war.
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:56pm | Report comment
Yes Pip, AFL might be a great game, if everyone played the game, does not matter how many times you fill the MCG, you could set up tents and live their for all i care. But you have to fill that baby every game now, You have thrown down the challenge to the world of sports and only have a home town stadium to fill. Think Gaelic, same applies, think why they are not huge world-wide, its a funny game invented to keep irishmen amused, and the rest of the UK amused,. Notice it never took off. ?
Take the hint son.
Now think of Melbounre a little place at the bottom of the world, screaming to all and sundry that they have invented this great game, ?
QLD and NSW has been telling you for nearly 150 years it wont take off, we are just humouring you.
Aboriginals are playing league, not AFL. Our game dont poach them, they are drawn to our game. We are a game about to promote their culture to the World, and the UK will be the 1st to recognise this event. Rugby league is moving mountains, we are selling the game to the highest bidders, and they like what they see, i like what i see.
I wont write off AFL , but this MCG is getting pretty stale, rusty old thing it is.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 4:01pm | Report comment
Oikee
if no one else comes back in the next 24 hours – the $10 is yours!!
Gweeds said | November 4th 2009 @ 4:02pm | Report comment
All I can see here Pippinu is your commitment catching public transport on a cold day to see a game with 7000 others at Waverly. Even with 50,000 (or whatever it could hold) that place looked forlorn. Gawd what a place.
I’ve been on top of the Alps on the Italian Swiss border in the middle of winter, but I never felt as cold as 18 June 1979 at the Lakeside Oval watching South Melbourne playing Carlton. There was a wind across the lake straight from the Antarctic and honestly the windchill factor would have been -20. I stopped feeling my hands and I was SHOCKED to see men putting their records around their cans of cold beer so their hands wouldn’t get even colder. Honestly those fans must have had bladders of steel.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 4:24pm | Report comment
yeh – sometimes it’s hard to imagine footy before they worked out a way to put a roof over a dirty big ground.
The Western Oval used to be just bad in terms of the wind.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
I think I developed a good bladder by going to the footy.
There was just no way you were ever going to find me going into a toilet at the footy – forget about it.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 5:30pm | Report comment
It’s official folks – we now do indeed have a “last word on the code wars” competition happening – with a $10 purse donated by my good kind self.
As you can all imagine, I thought long and hard about both the title of this article, and its contents – but even I could never have imagined the overwhelmingly positive reaction that I have received.
Most certainly – I knew I was heading somewhere significant – I knew that I was probing a dark hitherto undiscovered place that dwells within all of us.
But who could have imagined that I would write something with such far-reaching consequences, and yes, with the the capacity to change the world?!
The rules of the competition are simple. Remain the last one to have posted on this thread for two full days, as adjudged by me, and the $10 is yours – I will make arrangements with the Roar editors to ensure that you receive your just reward.
But this isn’t just about financial gain – whatever you write – what ever message you have left – it will become the catalyst for another thought provoking piece on the Roar, with full citations describing the role you have played in the piece.
Effectively, you would have entered the annuls of the Roar.
This ground breaking offer, reminds me of the seminal rockumentary: This is Spinal Tap, and the premier of Nige’s masterful, serene and evocative piano concerto: Lick my Love Gun .
Opportunities to leave your mark on the world come only once per lifetime – if you’re lucky!
Working Class Rugger said | November 4th 2009 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
Pip
So your bribing people to contribute to your thread. This isn’t an attempt to break a record is it.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 6:20pm | Report comment
WCR
it would be a sad, sad day if the Roar were to come to that.
The record,from memory,is around the 900 post mark – so no – I don’t really hold out high hopes that a $10 purse would compel people to strive to that number!!
It’s quality I’m after – not quantity – the sort of quality that is befitting of one of my articles.
Working Class Rugger said | November 4th 2009 @ 6:26pm | Report comment
Pip
MyGeneration said | November 4th 2009 @ 6:51pm | Report comment
Pip, you’ve tried to do more for world peace than Barack Obama with about the same effect.
But seriously, having been to Waverley once myself and experienced its “charms”, you sure that guy from Sydney wasn’t saying: “Any sport that allows its Grand Final to be played in that shithole can’t be much chop!” You were probably fooled by the accent.
oikee said | November 4th 2009 @ 6:57pm | Report comment
Well your starting to scare the be-jesus outta me, look just so everyone knows that maybe my last post might be this one, i do wish the AFL the best of luck with future developments, and wish them well, also, would like to wish soccer all the best and good luck to union with their next world cup. So if i win and you never hear from me again, let this post be shown to who it may concern.
If i win the 10 bucks and PIp finds out where i live, you all know why i have posted this,and may never hear from me again.. Cheers.
P.S you may use my name for any de-ogrative posts about other codes when i am gone.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 7:03pm | Report comment
oikee
Hang on – I’m not going to broadcast your real name – don’t worry about it!!!
I’d just send a tenner to the Roar and I’d let them work it out (they can keep it if they can’t track you down!)
Any article emanating from your famous last words would be – congrats to Oikee – he said blah blah – and while I’m at it – an interesting thing happened to me the other day…
And while I have everyone’s attention.
If you’re seriously playing for the tenner – please add the post at the end so I know it’s there – no more replying directly to anyone – I don’t want to encourage serious discussions!!!
MyGeneration said | November 4th 2009 @ 7:15pm | Report comment
Well, $10 is $10.
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 7:30pm | Report comment
That’s the spirit!!
Midfielder said | November 4th 2009 @ 9:23pm | Report comment
PIp
Not so much the code war’s ..BUT yes it’s that time when the mighty Mariners kicked the Tards butt…
You called our goals lucky last time .. so I have a preview for you of Danny’s goal this weekend… enjoy now and cry on the weekend
http://media.smh.com.au/sport/sports-hq/goalies-lengthoffield-goal-835135.html?from=timeout
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 10:06pm | Report comment
That’s quite funny.
Mid – you would be a worthy winner of the last word on the code wars competition.
By the way, no need to look to the amateurs, about two years ago, a clip was doing the rounds on the FLOG that showed a keeper taking a free kick near his corner flag, which also bounced over his opposite number and into the net – might’ve been two Championship clubs.
And let’s not forget the Velaphi slip earlier this season – and do I need to remind you who that was against??
I’m not going to contradict you – Moss has not inspired this year – some good saves – but every now and then it’s pretty much heart in the mouth stuff.
We’re winning – but there ain’t been too many clean sheets!!
Midfielder said | November 4th 2009 @ 10:19pm | Report comment
I remember that clip poor barstard would be brought up every time your record was talked about..
I remember once in a match in the pouring rain between Newcastle and Marconi … well Marconi goal keeper takes a goal kick and belts it up field way to hard and ball goes way over the half way line… Newcastle goal keeper see’s the ball is going to bounce on the edge of the mid pitch circle … goes to meet the ball … ball hits a puddle of water and skids over the goal keepers head and into the goal in one bounce… I pissed myself
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 10:27pm | Report comment
That sounds like a bizarre goal!! You normally wouldn’t expect the ball to clear you on a wet day (and also to have the momentum to keep going in the wet).
Do you remember who those two Championship teams were?
Midfielder said | November 4th 2009 @ 10:52pm | Report comment
These are not bad … but no cannot remember the teams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_w_KLagZjY
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:13pm | Report comment
I was pissing myself watching these – some of them defy description!
Midfielder said | November 4th 2009 @ 10:55pm | Report comment
This one too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k06VN5R6Ms
Pippinu said | November 4th 2009 @ 11:13pm | Report comment
This is almost a carbon copy of the one I”m remembering.
MyGeneration said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:02am | Report comment
So, now it’s some kind of code blooper war, is it? Two can play at that game…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MV8xQXtVVk
Midfielder said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:08am | Report comment
There funny now just have to find some RU ones.
Midfielder said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:12am | Report comment
RU pants down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q7OaUJMqe8
MyGeneration said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:18am | Report comment
Wendell takes the cake (chocolate, of course)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twZnoXv0e70
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:23am | Report comment
He doesn’t seem to impressed by that afterwards!
MyGeneration said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:30am | Report comment
He looks a bit embarrassed straight after (as you would), but Wendell, as usual, joined in the fun that came out of that (for about a week, I think). Wendell’s learnt not to take himself too seriously, otherwise he couldn’t have survived.
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:26am | Report comment
This one isn’t a fair dinkum game – the legends game is a bit of a farce where some old timers get together for a few laughs (usual story), but here’s the comedian Hamish scoring a funny goal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPrSZqu5m5o
MyGeneration said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:31am | Report comment
That is pretty funny.
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:35am | Report comment
Funnily enough – Alan Stoneham – the chief protaganist of my tale – is in this clip!!
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:32am | Report comment
And to all those who have played backyard footy of any description:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFFa3OEZ0hI
It brings back some great memories – of course I never owned a footy as a kid, and would use plastic cordial bottles.
There was one particular brand that had an almost cylindrical shape, soft and meaty, you could torp it quite spectacularly – you just had to avoid hitting the cap when snapping the bottle over the shoulder!
MyGeneration said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:33am | Report comment
Sorry, that’s way too long!
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:35am | Report comment
Yeh – in hindsight – it’s pretty boring!!
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:37am | Report comment
I really just wanted to tell my sad story of kicking the cordial bottle around the backyard – no – stop – the memories are far to painful….
andrew said | November 5th 2009 @ 8:00am | Report comment
122 comments! – My you fellas can talk a lot.
Pippinu, a cordial bottle in the backyard – you poor kid. Your parents could have least bought you a soft drink one. I was stuck with one of those bright yellow Life Be In It footballs. They were made of moulded plastic and the ends were so hard I think it has given me arthritis in my left big toe. I should have used the torpedo more.
Thanks for bringing up Waverley (or VFL Park!). A strange stadium that, sitting on a windswept (freezing South Westerlies) plain AND in a rain belt. The drainage was awful and even on a good day your feet would sink too far.
Yes, poor old Fitzroy and Footscray. Perhaps it was because they started with ‘F’. They’ve both done all right after changing to ‘B’ (Brisbane Lions) and ‘W’ (Western Bulldogs)”. You think Fremantle would have learnt from that. They’ll end up being the West Coast Anchors.
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 11:17am | Report comment
andrew
good to hear from you – and congratulations – you are now well in the running for winning the last word on the code wars competition which carries a $10 purse.
All Victorians of a certain vintage remember those plastic footies.
And yes, you’re right, they were more for torping – trying a drop punt with them was far to risky!! (for those who don’t know, or have been hit in the head with a plastic footy and now have amnesia, kick a door frame with your bare feet, and that will give you an idea of what these things felt like).
One good thing about the plastic footies was that if you were kicking with a gale – she’d just go and go and go.
On the other hand, if you were kicking into the wind, you were at risk of being smacked in the face with the ball you’d just kicked.
Michael C said | November 5th 2009 @ 11:03am | Report comment
code wars wise this article is a nice reminder of how Aust Footy plays a peace time role overseas…..
a Rugby kid playing the game (Aust Footy) in his Rugby off season – credits footy as below:
” He likes the fact he can now pinpoint players and the touch line with his Rugby kicking. His Rugby coach is pleased”
‘cos, clearly, there’s ‘kicking’ and there’s ‘KICKING’.
and then there’s soccer dribbling but that’s another story.
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 11:25am | Report comment
At the risk of inflaming a code war discussion – if you grow up and train to hit a target with either foot at 40 to 50m, you are going to become much better at it that someone who hasn’t done that.
But, fair’s fair, and these are the provisos I would state:
1. The AFL has had some notoriously hopeless players with the boot – James Manson anyone?
2. I’ve come across rugby players with very consistent kicking actions, ie. they don’t necessarily have a big range of kicks, but what they do they do with incredible pin point accuracy (and obviously, that’s what they train to do).
3. Even player will have certain strengths and some weaknesses in their kicking. Take Chris Grant, very accurate kick around the ground, hit someone on the lead with the laces out. But when it came to a set shot from 25 metres out dead in front, it’s as if his legs turned to jelly, and he missed them more often than got them. However, put him on the boundary for a play on and snap – and he was fine – snagged it every time.
AndyRoo said | November 5th 2009 @ 11:50am | Report comment
Kicking is THE skill in AFL, it makes sense to have all Rugby Backs play the game in their off season or such. Would be a lot more fun than just training the skill by itself.
I know Johnny Warren mentioned the fact he could kick of both feet was a big advantage over others when he played Rugby.
And I knew personally playing in school knock out comps for Rugby league was very helpful. Not so much in a skill sense but it certainly shook me up a bit as there was no place to hide and you couldn’t just take it easy for 10 minutes without really doing much. Before that I was a very lazy winger/striker …. afterwards a slightly less lazy winger striker.
Perhaps a mandated two months in each code a year?
Makes more sense to me than national service in the army.
Also if you can’t inflame code war discussions here where can you?
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 11:58am | Report comment
heh, heh – I know all about laziness.
I used to absolutely hate that bit of the pre-season where it was just all running and no ball handling.
The best bit was that it was still quite warm, the evenings were long, and you could show off your bronzed body and your six pack (which looks more like an esky these days).
Michael C said | November 5th 2009 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
btw –
along the lot more fun than training by yourself aspect – - the evidence of AFL players transitioning to the NFL kinda shows the benefit of ‘real world’ kicking skill development compared to effectively the technical but theoretical world of US football.
Pip -
certainly, at lower levels we almost boycott training until the balls come out….but, people have to be very careful not to overdo it too soon and get hammy/calf tightness from the outset.
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
Two interesting stories in the Age today.
In the main news section – demographers are predicting that Australia’s population will hit 35 mill in 2049 (forty years hence), and that Melbourne will have a population of 7 million, or 20% of the nation’s population.
In the sports section, Age soccer writer (and yes, the Age till calls it soccer), Michael Lynch, has absolutely sunk the boot into Palmer and GCU. I know that’s not news, but you rarely see pro-soccer writers in Australia really get stuck into key figures in the game – but on this occasion – what else is there to do?
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
I don’t really want to turn Brett’s thread into an unrelated trivia thread – so I thought that this one offered the most potential – seeing that we have almost solved the issue of the code wars.
Q. What was Minnie Ripperton’s one hit?
Clue: la, la, la, la, la…..
Michael C said | November 5th 2009 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
Loving you,
is easy ‘cos you’re beautiful,
la, la, la, la, la
la, la, la, la, la
etc
doody doody doo doo,
que high pitched scream that Mariah Carey would wet herself attempting…..
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 4:03pm | Report comment
Well done MC – if you win the comp – not only do you get 10 big ones – but I’m going to have to write a Roar article on Minnie Ripperton!!
Re the high pitched scream – I’ve got a feeling that she may have made it into the Guiness book of records for reaching ultra-high C or something (according to Casey Casem).
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 5:01pm | Report comment
Folks
I’m just about to head home, picking up some Thai take away along the way.
This is just to warn that MC currently has the last word on the code wars and if it remains thus till Saturday morning – he wins 10 big ones.
It would also mean that I would be obliged to write a Roar article that somehow featured Minnie Ripperton.
The choice is all yours!!
In one sense – it would be good if he won – because it would be far easier for me to get it to him.
Brett McKay said | November 5th 2009 @ 8:19pm | Report comment
Pip, surely I get something for Video Killed the Radio Star!!
By the way, may I present, all the way from 1980, and complete with the Blakeney twins as promised, The Monitors with Singing In The 80s!!!
http://elbo.ws/video/a513UDVHTBw/
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 9:34pm | Report comment
Man – I have zero recollection of that one!!
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 9:37pm | Report comment
That’s weird – I closed down the YouTube window but I can stilll hear that damn music in the background!!
Midfielder said | November 5th 2009 @ 7:48pm | Report comment
Pip
Just for you your own youtube may I present the Code Wars .. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4iz-qTsPz4
Pippinu said | November 5th 2009 @ 9:38pm | Report comment
Mid
that’s a worthy entry in the last word on the code wars competition!!
Michael C said | November 6th 2009 @ 7:41am | Report comment
Check out the Fairfax (paper that supports MVFC in Melb and SFC in SYd) link to “‘Realfooty’ that features a top of page dynamic banner ad for MVFC’s upcoming clash with some HAL team.
Now…if this were on an NRL ‘page’ in a Sydney paper featuring an AFL ad……there’d be ‘code war’ outcry, and whinging about ‘force feeding’ etc.
If it were on a soccer page, there’d be the usual chorus of ‘just like how ch.7 buried us’, ‘anti sokkah media conspiracy’,….
but, AFL folk are generally a little less bothered by such stuff…..mebbe it’s cos we were more concerned by Cam White’s career ODI’s 4s vs 6s tally going to 66:23,
not a bad ratio of near enough to 3:1, amongst the established batters, that’s pretty well the best going around.
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 9:39am | Report comment
MC
good pick up – here’s the link:
http://www.theage.com.au/realfooty/
Rather than a “smell the fear” moment, I would proudly describe this as a “yeh, whatever” moment.
AFL fans are quite comfortable with where they are at – and are more concerned about their own club than phoney “code wars”.
It also underscores the very different relationship the Victory has with the major football comp in their city – which is at complete odds with both SFC and GCU (especially the latter).
Congratulations to all AFL and Victory fans – you are the most enlightened people in Australia!!
AndyRoo said | November 6th 2009 @ 9:49am | Report comment
Now…if this were on an NRL ‘page’ in a Sydney paper featuring an AFL ad……there’d be ‘code war’ outcry, and whinging about ‘force feeding’ etc.
If it were on a soccer page, there’d be the usual chorus of ‘just like how ch.7 buried us’, ‘anti sokkah media conspiracy’,….
Pretty sure there would be a similar “who cares” factor…… but we will never know because we don’t have a Real Footy Equivelent for Futbal because newspapers only have one futbal writer.
I wouldn’t care one iota if the lions paid to have a banner on say the Roar site. I would rather take the AFL’s money than a booze or gambling companies dosh.
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 9:55am | Report comment
It’s a good way of looking at it.
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 8:44am | Report comment
I had to catch public transport for the first time in 100 years, and decided to make the voyage a bit more bearable with the Summer edition of Inside Footy.
Just checking through the likely draft picks – more to come – but for starters, noticed this one kid from Canberra (the only one I could see).
James Tutt, 18 yo mid from Aislie FC.
Interesting thing, he’s actually a former junior national softball rep – in a team that actually won the championship – what the story is there I’m not sure – but it’s an interesting background.
Redb said | November 6th 2009 @ 9:45am | Report comment
Tried to get a copy of Inside Footy yesterday all sold out. Herald Sun has a rudimentary article on the draft today, they reckon Trengove (SA) for number 1in stead of Scully (Vic) to reduce limelight post the anti climax around Jack Watts ? Odd. Melbourne to get both anyway.
Redb
bever fever said | November 6th 2009 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
I would say Tutt is the son of former Ainslie player Alan Tutt who was playing around the 80’s , i have played against him and from memory he was a rover/centreman type.
Ainslie was rarely beaten for the flag around that period …. cowboy Neale era.
Redb said | November 6th 2009 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
The great man, Lord Jim comes from Ainslie also.
bever fever said | November 6th 2009 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
Yes but James does not strike me as a Ainslie player …. far to nice for that, Ainslie was generally a working class suburb/area with a hard edge to their footballers mixed with arrogance as they were generally pretty good.
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 6:02pm | Report comment
I have no doubt that playing with a successful Ainslie side as a 17-18 yo helped Jimmy immensely in preparing him for an AFL career.
I can recall in one of his very first senior games, his old man (who played 4 games with Essendon, and son of the more famous Alan Hird Snr), absolutely get stuck into him for staying down too long after copping a big hit – it was part of his education.
There was a good reason why Essendon took him in the 70s, there were real doubts about him early on.
He was never fast – but as we know – he developed this sort of 6th sense such that no one could ever lay a finger on him and he always got a quality possession away.
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 5:35pm | Report comment
As the inner North became progressively gentrified through the 80s, you started to get a bit of mixture of those living in guvvies, and those moving in on pretty good government incomes.
Jimmy boy (as we affectionately called him back then) was rare in the sense that he was actually zoned to Ainslie because he grew up in the inner North.
bever fever said | November 6th 2009 @ 5:50pm | Report comment
Although i left Canberra 12 years ago .. i did notice back then that people were moving into Ainslie doing up the old cottages or building clusters of townhouses on the huge corner blocks.
Remember doing a job in Ainslie years ago and ripping up the old floor to find a stack of 1920s newspapers underneath complete with sports sections which i found very interesting reading.
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 5:54pm | Report comment
bever
Ainslie is probably a very different place today!! (I haven’t been there for a while myself)
I know that Ainslie ended up branching out to the new area of Gunghalin, and I think they own a big clubhouse out there (not sure).
bever fever said | November 6th 2009 @ 6:02pm | Report comment
Yer Pip.. gungahlin lakes golf course which of course has the big money spinners …. poker machines.
I believe the Canberra Raiders have a big club out that way as well.
From what i have read Ainslie seems to have reversed its previous form and is trying to rely on local talent for their footy team … wonder what they are doing with their millions.
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 6:06pm | Report comment
bever
I too had noticed that they don’t bring in the big names anymore – they did make some massive capital investments – not just the new clubhouse out at Gunghalin, but they re-lay their training ground at Ainslie with state of the art turf technology that cost millions – so it could be that they’ve been holding onto their pennies the past decade or so (but I’m only guessing – I really don’t know what their financial situation is) – I know they haven’t won a grand final since winning six in a row into the 90s.
MyGeneration said | November 6th 2009 @ 9:55am | Report comment
Sorry, Michael C (and Pippinu), have to call that as utter rubbish. AFL ads have featured regularly on NRL ‘pages’ in the season gone by, with nary a whimper. Code wars are whipped up by more by media moguls, perspective-challenged fanatics on all sides, and self-important internet bloggers (I’m only going to rule you guys out from option 1). 90% of people couldn’t give a toss if there’s an ad for another code on their favourite codes’ page. The codes (AFL especially ‘cos, hey, they’ve got the most money) do plenty of advertising of themselves during other codes telecasts as well. The last word can’t go to a straw man!
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 11:00am | Report comment
My Gen
Thanks for the clarification – how on Earth would a Victorian know this?!
But it hurts me to the core that you would inlcude me under the category of “self-important internet bloggers”, especially since it is I who has donated the $10 purse for the last word on the code wars competition.
Still – this would be a worthy winner (and an interesting topic to research – pity that I generally abhor any form of work, and much prefer topics that I can deal with off the top of my head).
MyGeneration said | November 6th 2009 @ 11:50am | Report comment
Pip, if I should be lucky enough to win the $10, I will make sure it goes to a group whose charter is to assist people who have been unfairly categorsed as self-important internet bloggers. I believe this is growing problem in our society. Blessed as I am by unimportance, it’s the least I can do.
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 5:56pm | Report comment
MyGen
I’ve only just noticed this – good move – these are precisely the sort of people that are in need of some real asstance!!
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 11:02am | Report comment
So MyGen
does SFC advertise on your favourite NRL website?
MyGeneration said | November 6th 2009 @ 11:40am | Report comment
Pip, so far I haven’t found an SFC advertisement anywhere, but you forced me to go the A-League site for the first time and I discovered they are playing at Skilled Park this weekend. Obviously not much point trying to get people going to the Gold Coast! So maybe this is not a good week for a comparison. I will try to remember to check out LeagueHQ next week, as it is the Fairfax counterpart of RealFooty, and thus relatively valid I suspect. I would caution that 1) I suspect SFC’s profile in Sydney is much lower than that of MVFC in Melbourne in the first place and 2) I take only moderate interest in the A-league in the second place.
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 11:44am | Report comment
My Gen
Then there remains one valid point that I am trying to highlight – that the Victory has a far, far better relationship with AFL fans than SFC has with NRL fans.
Anecdotally, I understand that a few Titans fans switched off GCU because of anti-League mumblings from both Palmer and other GCU supporters.
The Victory have always gone out of their way to court AFL supporters – indeed, you can mount an argument that that is why they have a higher profile in Melbourne than SFC does in Sydney.
Your apology is accepted.
MyGeneration said | November 6th 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
Death by anecdote
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
MyGen
might be a good title for a Roar article?
Pippinu said | November 6th 2009 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
Looking through the names in this year’s draft – how about these famous surnames:
Black
Carey
Christensen
Craig
Dare
Groenewegan
Shaw
Vardy
Winmar
Archer
Kickett
Luff
Milne
Nash
Michael C said | November 7th 2009 @ 8:38pm | Report comment
and from 1985 or so, when Robert Groenewegen, having just boarded a Qantas flight from Fiji to Los Angeles during a Footscray end-of-season trip, sneaked on to the PA and offered the immortal words: “Attention passengers, would everyone assume crash positions.”
Pippinu said | November 7th 2009 @ 9:23am | Report comment
It has become common place for AFL coaching staff to visit overseas football and other sports teams set ups as part of fact finding missions, namely the US and England.
Just reading the back of the HS, and see that Knights and his Bomber staff have visited the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Cardinals.
They also visited two EPL clubs, but unfortunately it doesn’t say who they were.
Pippinu said | November 8th 2009 @ 7:37am | Report comment
Just when I was getting ready to announce bever as the winner of the inaugural $10 purse for having the last word on the code wars – I just noticed that MC had snuck a post in when I wasn’t looking!
So folks – the good news is that the competition remains – and yes – that $10 could be yours!!
This reminds me of another story I read yesterday of a kid from Bendigo that the Tiges will probably take at no. 3 whose dad is a Maori.
Michael C said | November 8th 2009 @ 7:57pm | Report comment
Hey, if I post another one, does it sort of not count??
Especially if it’s just a naff post – - ‘cos it’d be good to ‘win’ forcing you to wax lyrical about Robert Groenewegen and his illustrious (or otherwise) career in footy…….
Pippinu said | November 9th 2009 @ 7:01am | Report comment
MC
I was just about to announce the winner, but then noticed that the count had gone up to 169.
Hmmm – I guess I was the only one excused from the count, so under the the black letter of the law – I think the competition remains open.
jus de couchon said | November 9th 2009 @ 7:19am | Report comment
Pippino , I suspect AFL might be great fun to play but judging a game I saw played at The Oval several tears ago between Aussies finest exponests[Given on the day it was a wet bog] it has very limited appeal outside of its home supporters.
Michael C said | November 9th 2009 @ 8:51am | Report comment
alas – few games at the oval could seriously be defined as “Aussies finest exponents”,
i.e. invariably clubs have sent over teams with a large number of guys playing who either are about to be delisted (sacked) or coming off the rookie list etc.
The ideal would be to have a NAB cup fixture at very least – - i.e. a game where winning might mean something and that getting at least some ‘game time’ into some of the stars is a worthwhile part of the exercise.
btw – a wet bog and digging up the centre wicket area……invariably would deminish the ‘appeal’ to a ‘neutral’ spectator of most ‘football’ games.
Pippinu said | November 9th 2009 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
Congrats MC
you’re back on track! (to win 10 big ones)
Pippinu said | November 9th 2009 @ 7:24am | Report comment
jus
It is great fun to play – all the children of the world deserve a chance to play it.
Pippinu said | November 11th 2009 @ 6:41am | Report comment
Congratulations to MC who wins the inaugural final word on the code wars competition and a purse of $10.
I’ll arrange to hand over the winnings at the next official Roar viewers’ Victory, Storm or AFL game in Melbourne.
Michael C said | November 11th 2009 @ 7:52am | Report comment
oh cool – - perhaps we need to (start with this $10) build a ‘purse’ to have up for grabs in the next theRoar AFL ‘dreamteam’ season….
now I’m just waiting for the dedicated article and the angle to be taken.
Pippinu said | November 11th 2009 @ 10:55am | Report comment
Ok – if you want to donate your $10, I’ll contribute another $10 so that we have a $20 purse for the next dreamteam season.
This time, hopefully I’ll settle my captains and bench earlier – I couldn’t get into the site on the eve of the start of last season – which pi$$ed me off severely!!
Michael C said | November 11th 2009 @ 11:07am | Report comment
ahh, so that explains a bit.
YEah, let’s do it – build a purse.
I learned a bit about trading policy this year – looking forward to another season.
Brett McKay said | November 11th 2009 @ 11:09am | Report comment
“the inaugural final word on the code wars” – pessimism and optimism in the same sentence, if ever…
Pippinu said | November 11th 2009 @ 11:15am | Report comment
Brett
was that an offer to add an extra $10 to the purse?
Brett McKay said | November 11th 2009 @ 11:59am | Report comment
well Pip, I suggested on the Paul Osbourne thread that surely things were getting a bit monotonous, and even asked Oikee this morning whether certain comments were really necessary, and yet that thread continues to power on with the name-calling and wedgie-giving like schoolkids, so sure, I might as well do some good on the code war front somewhere
Redb said | November 11th 2009 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
your comments were on the money Brett. Good hard debate is fine but the school boy name calling stuff is just moronic. i simply dont feed the ‘animal’ with replies, dont even read his comments.
Redb
Pippinu said | November 11th 2009 @ 11:33am | Report comment
I find it fascinating occasionally catching up with the worldfooty site:
http://www.worldfootynews.com/
more from the point of view that they come up with so much footy news that you would otherwise not hear (and yes, plenty of it is quirky, which is always fun to read).
A summary of what they are presenting for the past week:
5 Nov
* The possibility of Majak Daw being the first Sudanese born player to ever be drafted to the AFL.
* A snapshot of aussie rules in South America!!
* The Tokyo Goannas have made yet another grand final of the JAFL.
9 Nov
* More on Sheeds and GWS (with a nice pic of Sheeds with the World team from 2008)
* the Ottawa Swans are looking for a coach for the forthcoming season – ability to write up match reports are one of the selection criteria! (French language also handy!)
* Will international footy reshape the AFL? (an interesting perspective on 9s footy)
10 Nov
* Germany’s Frankfurt Redbacks defeated the Italian national team by a point – the first official match of the Italian National Aussie Rules team on home soil.
* the signing by Collingwood of American basketballer Seamus McNamara as an international rookie
11 Nov
* Sheedy welcomes the World
* Wales have defeated Scotland in the Crichton-Stuart Cup (check out the photos of the playing strips – they’re fantastic!!)
Pippinu said | November 11th 2009 @ 11:41am | Report comment
There’s a great little video of the Frankfurt vs Italy match – well worth a look!
1. Frankfurt are actually pretty slick with the handball, but their kicking is pretty poor.
2. A bloke called Hopf snagged four of 8 goals.
3. It’s played on a rugby ground, the behind posts are about five foot high – perfect for someone to impale themselves going for a speccy!!
Jaredsbro said | November 23rd 2009 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Well seeing as I am standing on the only truly unbiased vantage point in Australasia (and in spite of missing the 10 bucks by about two weeks) I feel I am best positioned to have the last word on the Code wars. In fact my post might as well be tacked on in 20 or 30 or 50 years time for all its timeliness.
All oval footy codes will ever increase marketshare: Soccer can’t help but decrease after the Henry scandal, but will never be brought back to Earth anywhere near quick enough for the Oval codes to overturn the Mark of the Beast
And most importantly the world will realise that Soccer’s not the best code to unify the earth, because unlike the Oval codes (American and Canadian included) Soccer can legitmiately say it doesn’t need another code to be the best it can be, which peeses me off to be brutally honest. And interdependence is the new market paradigm in a world which is globalising/glocalising at an unprecedented rate of fervour. You see someone onj this site said that the world would be boring in AFL was the dominant code…
as if variety is a good thing in its own right
No way, AFL would do a far better job of reminding everyone that the concept of Football is far too awesomely large to ever be played to everyone’s liking. As is Soccer can deceive itself into thinking otherwise and thus AFL its Antipodean mirror image is my pick for the eventual victor
Pippinu said | November 23rd 2009 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Jaredsbro
A belated contribution – I’d like to say to you that I understand what you’re saying, but….
Jaredsbro said | November 25th 2009 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
Point is there will not be a winner. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but sooner or later Soccer’s going to try and become truly universal (which it can’t really say it is yet) which will create truly irrational fears/outcomes in those cultures which do not look so kindly upon Soccer: I think Australia will always be in that category, but this is not to say that Aussie rules will be the next Soccer…I’m not Oikee who tends to have delusions of grandeur about RL place in the world
For whatever reason Soccer is the sport (not just Footy code) which 95% maybe of the world follows to the point where these same people struggle to take any interest in any other sport (or Footy code) that may be setting up shop in their homeland. This arrogance thru misguided ignorance can only lead those cultures on’ the edge’ like Oz to at least view Soccer in its rightful place and thus as Soccer cannot help but attempt to be ‘Universal’ which is about all that’s left for it to become, it’s ultimately doomed to failure as a code, but as a game-narrative maybe it has reached immortality.
AndyRoo said | November 25th 2009 @ 12:49pm | Report comment
Jaredsbro
There are plenty of countries were football is the number one code that have quite a varied sporting diet. Most of the European Countries for example.
The only difference is in Australia is that rather than support professional Volleyball, Handball, Cycling and Basketball etc etc we tend to be all about the various football codes all the time and somehow this makes us more varied in our sporting diets….. as MC says “some people think supporting two different codes of Rugby is a varied sporting diet”.
Perhaps because there is only one popular running around kick the ball code, then in other countries kids that don’t show any aptitude for it can then move on to becoming Formula 1 drivers or Tennis stars faster rather than shuffled on to the next football code therefore Soccer’s dominance in those countries encourages sporting diversity.
Then when you bring it down to the Australian level you have Melbourne where only two football codes are on FTA before midnight (ECL repalys on SBS is the 2nd) but they have big events in other sports like Formula One, The Australian Open and Horse Racing …oh and that Tiger Woods thing.
But in Sydney which is football (soccer) heartland in Australia you can watch all 4 Football codes on FTA in prime time as well as all those other events.
It seems more diverse than in the States where Football is more marginalized.
Jaredsbro said | November 25th 2009 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
Yeah you’re right. Very few cultures are just monocultural when it comes to sport, because as I see it sport is not just about playing a code and excelling (or otherwise) at it, it’s more about what sport tells us about ourselves, I guess like fairy tales which we tell kiddies: they establish a regime of truth which is mutually binding and culturally cyclical. In my opinion sport is about as effective as the education system in teaching people how to behave appropriately in the real world, it’s a site in which there are competing moralities: ie do I participate in a sport which will truly give me a global stage to perform or do I try a sport which will gain me local glory/notoriety (Note the subtle allusion to the main codes of Australia which tend to be biff-driven
)
That’s why I reckon most/all Australians (and NZers for that matter) should have some appreciation of other sports. But I think the reason four football codes have varying degrees of popularity in Sydney (which leaves really only enough space for Cricket and the occasional Netball or Basketball fan) is because one code has never been predominant (RL is king, but say Soccer and RU and even Aussie rules for some punters have their place in the royal family too)
In Melbourne however Aussie rules has never had higher popularity than at any other stage of its history. Some resort to calling RL an alienating game because it can’t seem to show the same support for the code that Southerners show for their marking game. Melbourne’s more like the US in that there is a far wider appetite for sport itself, but only as long as it doesn’t threaten the king. Americans still can’t rectify the idea that they have two popular football codes especially as those Rednecks have got to be saying to themselves that Soccer can hardly call itself football for lack of the tough-as-nails macho image that America likes to sell about itself to the world.
Maybe Sydney’s royal house (if we were using playing card imagery) is more like a straight than a royal flush?
Redb said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
Let’s not forget that apart from 1 AFL game on a Saturday night, the only games regularly on free to air in Sydney are rugby league. Rugby and soccer are on pay tv.
Dogs Of War said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
Really, 1 game on a Saturday night?
Geez, I must be seeing things on a Saturday afternoon when the AFL is on, and then again on the Sunday afternoon when another game is being played. And if I stay up too late on a Friday night, they have the perfect show to put me to sleep!
But that’s Sydney for you, always not giving other sports a chance on TV!?!?!?!
AFL has more free to air viewing hours on the box each week than NRL gets in Sydney.
And when it comes to Melbourne, it’s not even close.
Pippinu said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
We’re working on the theory that if we show more and more live games – someone will eventually watch one!!
Redb said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:24pm | Report comment
Fact is Pip,
Some Sydney people pretend their more wordly football code wise but in fact the rugby league fans hate all other codes, especially the demon AFL. They write letters to newspapers pushing to have any funds directed at other sports banished.
The most insular fans in Australia.
The Link said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
They’re not. Sydney quite likes AFL. As NRL is No.1 in Sydney then by definition there is cross pollination of interest
Extrapolating some media beatups into some broader movement is fallacy.
Of the non-dominant football codes, Football and AFL are bigger in Sydney than Football and the Rugbies are in Melbourne.
Dogs Of War said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Haha, your refering to me! As I said on BF, I wouldn’t have a problem with the funds being spent anywhere else if the community could utilise them after GWS support grows. But $70mil for 8 games a year (for let’s say 10 years), is a lot of money (approx 875K a game!), when if you built up the Blacktown facility to 25K, you would actually have a lasting legacy in an area that requires one.
It’s not that hard to digest really. Another oval stadium within 300m of a perfectly suitable stadium is a stupid decision, especially when it WILL become a white elephant because the local community is too far removed from that particular location to utilise it.
But obviously that’s me being an “insular NRL supporter” by your definition RedB
Pippinu said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:40pm | Report comment
Link
Let’s not forget that my A-League club, Melbourne, is the biggest in the land by most measures.
Redb said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
The Link,
Do you know how much outrage there is in Melbourne papers about the new Melb Heart soccer team;?, what about the new rugby team even talked about picking up AFL players? The Vic Govt has spent $300M on a new stadium and has pushed to have more RL, RU and soccer events in Melbourne becuase it knows Melbournians like a sporting event.
Where were the headlines of invasion, taking over, killing off AFL?
The Melb press doesnt go there becuase it knows its a non event.
I’m not labelling all Sydney people at all, just the insular RL types that the Daily Telegraph panders to, to sell papers.
Redb
Dogs Of War said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
What? Victoria doesn’t have Bogans as well? Are Collingwood supporters consider High Society these days?
AndyRoo said | November 25th 2009 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
Redb I will take time out from putting together my tin foil hat to suggest Melbourne doesn’t care about other codes thats why there is no up roar. Those codes won’t be on TV and can easily be ignored.
Also in Sydney Wallaby tests are on FTA live and Football does get a guernsey with the ECL being played live and then a a different game shown delayed on SBS 2 ( I beleive this is the case in Melbourne too).
There is 2 codes more football on FTA TV in NSW (before midnight) than their is in Vic
The Link said | November 25th 2009 @ 2:12pm | Report comment
RedB, I think we can agree that the media markets are very different with Sydney tending towards a fleet street style approach. The whipping up of a frenzy seems to get traction in Sydney for whatever reason, look at the recent refugee issue as another example. This being said there’s no similar media beat up about the threat of Sydney Rovers which is perculiar.
Many RL fans in my experience are salt of the earth types. In fact i’d go as far to say that you could take the average AFL fan in Melbourne and find many similarities (OK perhaps more in Collingwood fans..). Most of them couldn’t really care less if the AFL has a team in WS they just want to support their team week in / out. Passionate, tribal, loyal, everything that a sports fan should be. Be careful not to be too led astray by what you read, RL fans aren’t all that bad.
Springs said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
Well that seems a very broad statement. As rugby league fan I don’t mind AFL at all, watch the GF every year, go to games when I can and even go for Essendon. But when the NSW government want to spend money on a ground which is right next to a perfectly suitable one of course I oppose it, especially when League grounds need upgrading far more. I don’t care that the AFL has a Western Sydney team, its the talk of poaching our players and juniors and destroying us as a ode that annoys me.
Pippinu said | November 25th 2009 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
That’s a fair enough response all round.
I too have thought that spending money on the showgrounds is a bit of a stretch, for the reasons DOW has given above, unless there is some broader benefit to come out of it.
If they are budgeting for a crowd of 15,000 for some time to come – then surely Blacktown can be upgraded at a small cost to handle that? (recalling that it becomes a first class cricket facility in Summer, it would effectively be Sydney’s 2nd cricket ground)