Comments on: Lions and Demons to play exhibition game in China http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/ Your Sports Opinion Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:15:23 +0000 hourly 1 By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251776 Redb Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:28:49 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251776 Good points. a game in PNG wouldnt hurt for sure. NAB or Challenge Cup game? Good points.

a game in PNG wouldnt hurt for sure. NAB or Challenge Cup game?

]]> By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251774 Redb Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:25:50 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251774 true. It appears trade and TV related. true. It appears trade and TV related.

]]> By: Norm http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251773 Norm Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:24:56 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251773 rucko...it’s an end of season trip to an exotic destination...nothing more. rucko…it’s an end of season trip to an exotic destination…nothing more.

]]> By: ruckrover http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251767 ruckrover Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:16:58 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251767 45,000 playing Aussie Rules in 35 countries (up from less than 10,000 in a dozen countries at turn of century) and growth looks set to accelerate as local leagues increasingly run youth and school programs and locals outnumber Aussie expats. Just 1% of Chinese sports fans following AFL would bring huge money into the game in time. There's already an expat league with increasing local Chinese involvement. But - yes one off games are hopeless - the AFL should pick a few cities and go back every 2 years. Give a possible promising country to a club - plus priority international rookie draft picks to encourage the club to invest in promotion in that country. Will pay off for the club in some kind of foreign memberships (a la Man U do in Asia). Shanghai every 2 years, also Capetown, Auckland (or Wellington with Westpac stadium configured for AFL), Toronto (with a largish established Aussie Rules league), London, Port Moresby, Tokyo (Japan AFL quite established), Denmark (given the growth of the game in Scandinavia). Maybe Los Angeles again, maybe Dubai given they got a reasonable crowd and the expat middle east league is growing strong. The AFL should focus on those cities - each every 2 years. 45,000 playing Aussie Rules in 35 countries (up from less than 10,000 in a dozen countries at turn of century) and growth looks set to accelerate as local leagues increasingly run youth and school programs and locals outnumber Aussie expats.

Just 1% of Chinese sports fans following AFL would bring huge money into the game in time. There’s already an expat league with increasing local Chinese involvement.

But – yes one off games are hopeless – the AFL should pick a few cities and go back every 2 years. Give a possible promising country to a club – plus priority international rookie draft picks to encourage the club to invest in promotion in that country. Will pay off for the club in some kind of foreign memberships (a la Man U do in Asia).

Shanghai every 2 years, also Capetown, Auckland (or Wellington with Westpac stadium configured for AFL), Toronto (with a largish established Aussie Rules league), London, Port Moresby, Tokyo (Japan AFL quite established), Denmark (given the growth of the game in Scandinavia). Maybe Los Angeles again, maybe Dubai given they got a reasonable crowd and the expat middle east league is growing strong. The AFL should focus on those cities – each every 2 years.

]]> By: Pippinu http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251749 Pippinu Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:28:49 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251749 This announcement took me completely by surprise, and I too would have wondered why - but reading the full story, there appears to be something more to it, with the leading Sport Uni producing aussie rules players, or something or another - plus - it's not actually being pushed by the AFL, in fact, the opposite appears to be the case. There seems to be more to this story than any of us actually know. This announcement took me completely by surprise, and I too would have wondered why – but reading the full story, there appears to be something more to it, with the leading Sport Uni producing aussie rules players, or something or another – plus – it’s not actually being pushed by the AFL, in fact, the opposite appears to be the case.

There seems to be more to this story than any of us actually know.

]]> By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251746 Redb Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:26:35 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251746 There have been reports that cricket is looking to stage a one day cricket (might be Twenty20) in China in 12-15 years. With the similiar use of oval grounds, the AFL and cricket could work together. There have been reports that cricket is looking to stage a one day cricket (might be Twenty20) in China in 12-15 years. With the similiar use of oval grounds, the AFL and cricket could work together.

]]> By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251745 Redb Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:24:30 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251745 Spot on Tifosi, the scatter gun approach is pointless, unless they are going to make this a regular fixture and build other programs around it. Spot on Tifosi, the scatter gun approach is pointless, unless they are going to make this a regular fixture and build other programs around it.

]]> By: Westcoast929406 http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251620 Westcoast929406 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:38:29 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251620 The AFL is eying off Chinese TV deals now after this match. Yes its about money - exposure etc etc. http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/china-ahoy-as-afl-tests-new-market/2009/11/21/1258220010924.html The closest Aussie Rules grassroots development is located in the city of Suzhou which is near Shanghai. There are schools there which currently have Aussie Rules activity. The AFL is eying off Chinese TV deals now after this match. Yes its about money – exposure etc etc.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/china-ahoy-as-afl-tests-new-market/2009/11/21/1258220010924.html

The closest Aussie Rules grassroots development is located in the city of Suzhou which is near Shanghai. There are schools there which currently have Aussie Rules activity.

]]> By: bever fever http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251582 bever fever Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:08:53 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251582 It must be about the moolah as i just can't see the chinese interested. I would be trying quite a few places before China, but maybe they are becoming a great nation of sports followers as the middle class evolves there, just as it appears the Indians have gone crazy for cricket as the country standard of living increases so does the money for the game. It must be about the moolah as i just can’t see the chinese interested.

I would be trying quite a few places before China, but maybe they are becoming a great nation of sports followers as the middle class evolves there, just as it appears the Indians have gone crazy for cricket as the country standard of living increases so does the money for the game.

]]> By: Tifosi http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251578 Tifosi Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:59:26 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251578 I think the AFL are going about playing overseas the wrong way. You cant just play games in one city one year then move it the next. ie Dubai then Shanghai. The NFL realised this and are following a strategy where they play one game in London, next step will be to give them the Superbowl then eventually maybe a london based team. The AFL should stick to one city and make it the opening game of the season maybe. Melbourne FC appear to have some sort of relationship with shanghai so they should play every game perhaps. This way the locals can connect with a team. Also this will be the stadium they will play at. Yikes some narrow flanks!! http://www.mishanghai.org/Sites/files/640*512/file_176.jpg http://www.mishanghai.org/Sites/files/640*512/file_179.jpg I think the AFL are going about playing overseas the wrong way.

You cant just play games in one city one year then move it the next. ie Dubai then Shanghai.

The NFL realised this and are following a strategy where they play one game in London, next step will be to give them the Superbowl then eventually maybe a london based team.

The AFL should stick to one city and make it the opening game of the season maybe.

Melbourne FC appear to have some sort of relationship with shanghai so they should play every game perhaps. This way the locals can connect with a team.

Also this will be the stadium they will play at.

Yikes some narrow flanks!!

http://www.mishanghai.org/Sites/files/640*512/file_176.jpg

http://www.mishanghai.org/Sites/files/640*512/file_179.jpg

]]> By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/22/lions-and-demons-to-play-exhibition-game-in-china/comment-page-1/#comment-251248 Redb Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:34:37 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25546#comment-251248 If it is not accompanied by grass roots development there is little point beyond some trade opportunities and feel good factor. Redb If it is not accompanied by grass roots development there is little point beyond some trade opportunities and feel good factor.

Redb

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