I just want to say that Australia has some problems with Race but it certainly has plenty more problems with accusations/counter-accusations of racism, much like the States was traditionally/is still in many small/larger communities. But things seem to be getting better, but the key is to be progressing…and seeing yourself progress otherwise the sacrifices of the past are in vain

But I think the premise of this thread is on the money, in as far as there is still a majoritarian approach to sport in this country. All major sports are all trying to appeal to the bradest market and any (counter)accusations of elitism are like ICBMs, they serve no more purpose than to keep people feeling a bit safer.

But sport is not about fitting in, tho it does help those who are insecure fit in a bit more than they otherwise would. Just look at the NRL booze wagon for example and its easy to see what an insidious culture of trying to fit in at all costs achieves/results in. But anyway sport is about excelling at that which you’re best at and some people are best at minority sports, while others are happy to fit in but only do so well at the majority sports.

I propose a moratorium on the AFL/NRL code war until the New Year.
Its not only the off-season, but the season for goodwill as well.

You can charge your batteries for next season and spend the rest of the holiday season just bagging “football” instead.

In Spain or Italy, you can’t go to a soccer game without listening to monkey sounds all game.

THere’s a specific focus by the VFL VRL on the Maori and Islander demographic in Melbourne/Victoria.

This part I’ll address.

I have no idea why the VFL took longer but it would be fair to say that Victoria has tradtionally had a much smaller indigenous popualtion than either NSW and QLD and that might have had something to do with it.

It wasn’t until Western Australians started playing in the VFL like Polly Farmer at Geelong in the 1960s and 1970s that indigenous players really kicked on.

Today over 70 indigenous players are on AFL lists and the game is far better for it.

The VFL/AFL unfortuantely had issues with racism for sometime, right up until Nicky Winmar lifted his St Kilda jumper and showed his black skin to the Collingwood faithful who were hassling him. Followed by Michael long who challenged a racist insult from Damien Monkhurst which brought the issue to light. The AFL brought in an education policy and penalties with ZERO tolerance for racism. The game is far better for it but not perfect.

Redb

there are regular tournaments such as the Dubai 9s, and Bali 9s,

and the Euro Championships use a 9s format,

(note also, recFooty in Australia I think tends to be an ’8s’ format).

I’m working on a Melb based pre-season 9s lightning premiership……for fun, for something a bit different and for when the cricketers are often still tied up and footy teams can struggle to have full availability for seniors and ressies full sides practice matches.

you see, he’s picking on us for refering to the NZ expat/islander following and high participation for the Storm and VRL in general,

and that apparently is deemed ‘racist’,

whereas, we live here and know that there is a specific focus on that demographic,

for us to OBSERVE and comment (positively on it) is hardly racist,

but, if Rod believes it to be racist, then, so too is any comment around Indigenous all-stars games.

Surely??

are you just here to cause trouble??

Check the history of indigenous players in the SANFL and WAFL.

The biggest issue for so long was the culture shock of indigenous players coming to Melbourne and it’s cold winters as well.

It took quite some time to develop the skills/knowledge etc to make that transition more possible……and the imperitive was very much heightened by the nationalised league……my club North Melbourne was exploring the possibilities very much so in the early 80s with Jim and Phil Krakouer coming over from Claremont and Robert and Rodney Cockatoo who came down from Cairns but struggle to acclimatise. To that time, there were still VFL clubs who had never ‘employed’ an indigenous lad. That was sad.

The society in general was very racist, and as a young fella growing up watching the Krakouer boys – the abuse from opposition supporters was saddening, but, their footy did the talking and usually won the grudging respect/admiration along with further abuse, that, similar to cricket crowds abusing Imran, Hadlee or Beefy BOtham was actually a measure of respect. Strange that…..the more they ‘rate’ someone, the more they felt able to abuse that person.

Me thinx we’ve all moved on a bit and grown up as a society.

But – if you wish to make it a code vs code ‘racist’ thing……fine.

In fact your generalisations are coming thick and fast about AFL and AFL fans.

You lot got on about this so much it’s just too precious.

If your talking about explosive speed over short distance – RL.

If your talking about endurance running and spring – AFL.

Redb

your confusing specific ethnic based programs with racism.

I gather you’d regard the upcoming NRL indigenous game as a stunning example of racism…..(beware, the AFL has been running indigenous all stars games for quite some time now…..pure racism off course!!!).

There’s even an NZ Maori’s team,

BUT …… the point is – - there’s a Victorian Maori’s RL team.

Do you get it??

THere’s a specific focus by the VFL on the Maori and Islander demographic in Melbourne/Victoria.

And why wouldn’t they?? It makes sense.

But, apparently for us to refer to it is racism.

Get a life mate.

btw – there’s even a QLD Maori team,…….what’s going on here?? total ethnicising of the game…….it’s like the RL folk haven’t learned any lessons from the old ethnicised NSL????

I definitely feel for the AFL (guy) as clearly they were the fall guys here (but 30 reps wasn’t too bad in the big scheme of things!)

Your entilted to your opinion even if itself is simple, insular and ignorant.

The Kiwi reference is the identical argument used by those to attack the support of the Sydney Swans re only expats follow them.

it is an expat following their own game argument. Grow up.

Redb