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National Rugby League CEO David Gallop at a press conference at NRL headquarters. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
There was little subterfuge as the NRL went into counterattack mode on Monday in a bid to protect its western Sydney heartland from the raids of the AFL.
The best the game has to offer were all on show as the NRL All Stars side held a coaching clinic for more than 300 school kids in Blacktown, the latest battle ground for the rivalling footballing codes.
Just a stones throw away from the base of new AFL franchise Greater Western Sydney and the venue for the Swans’ pre-season opener on Saturday week, NRL chief executive David Gallop said rugby league was determined to maintain its dominance in the west.
“The fact is we’ve been out here for 100 years,” Gallop said while attending the clinic.
“This is genuinely somewhere we can call home but this is a competitive market and we need to continue to show our presence.
“The evidence is that our participation rates have grown every year, but there’s no doubt that the market’s become more competitive and therefore we’ve ramped up our effort.
“We’re the market leader and whenever you’re the market leader you’ve got to be conscious of what you need to do to stay there.
“I’m confident rugby league will be the market leader in years to come.”
Gallop’s stance was backed by Parramatta star Jarryd Hayne, but All Stars teammate and fellow western Sydney product Israel Folau left NRL officials a little red-faced when he gave the rival code a bizarre leg up.
“I hope the AFL get a bit of a run around this area and hopefully it grows into the future,” Folau said.
“I hope (they can co-exist). I know rugby league’s the bigger game around here, we’ll just see what happens over the next couple of years over.”
Gallop said the NRL would not be attempting to reinvent the wheel in its bid to maintain its stronghold in the area.
“Our primary focus is doing what we do well and recognising the game’s strong out here because of the generational support,” he said.
“Legitimately, rugby league’s able to say when we hold a game in western Sydney, grandfathers, fathers and their sons go to the games together and that kind of generational support is not something that money can necessarily fight overnight.”
Hayne, who inadvertently found himself the poster boy of the battle for Sydney’s west when linked with a code switch to GWS before re-signing with the Eels, said it was vital league did all it could to ward off AFL’s advances.
“They’re obviously looking to really establish themselves in western Sydney – they’ll pretty much do anything to get their brand up and running,” Hayne said.
“We’ve got to come up with something, we can’t just let them come in and feel comfortable and take as many rugby league people away from the game (as they want).”
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February 9th 2010 @ 8:14am
Al said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:14am | Report comment
The AFL’s belligerence and arrogance knows no bounds. Fortunately their venture into Western Sydney has all the hallmarks of being as successful as Napolean’s invasion of Russia.
February 9th 2010 @ 8:16am
M1tch said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:16am | Report comment
Sheedy was quoted as saying the only Hindmarsh he knows its the stadium in Adelaide lol
February 9th 2010 @ 8:22am
Mick from Giralang said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Is this the same Sheedy that pretended he fought in Vietnam?
February 10th 2010 @ 12:51pm
Beast-A-Tron said | February 10th 2010 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
“Is this the same Sheedy that pretended he fought in Vietnam?”
Source or it didn’t happen.
February 10th 2010 @ 12:56pm
Redb said | February 10th 2010 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
yep, soon they’ll have him for being the gunman on the grassy knoll
February 10th 2010 @ 1:51pm
Beast-A-Tron said | February 10th 2010 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
I’m certain that Dan Dresden & Mick from Giralang are lying through their teeth, which does not surprise me in the slightest.
That or they failed Year 12 English and cannot comprehend simple sentences.
Choose one of the above.
February 9th 2010 @ 8:40am
Jay said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:40am | Report comment
i didnt realise how much hot air came out of this senile man’s mouth until i started reading his quotes about gws. fortunatley he barely gets any coverage in NSW television media.
February 9th 2010 @ 11:04am
M1tch said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:04am | Report comment
any publicity is good publicity for AFL in Sydney
February 9th 2010 @ 11:56am
Fred Nerk said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:56am | Report comment
Arrogance would be assuming that RL owns Western Sydney. Just because it may currently be the predominant spectator sport, doesn’t automatically mean that everyone in Western Sydney cares about RL. The overwhelming majority of people in Western Sydney would barely know anything about RL or AFL at all.
February 9th 2010 @ 12:20pm
M1tch said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
nor do they speak english
February 9th 2010 @ 12:40pm
Mick from Giralang said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
“The overwhelming majority of people in Western Sydney would barely know anything about RL ”
This is so wrong it’s beyond funny…
February 9th 2010 @ 4:37pm
John Ryan said | February 9th 2010 @ 4:37pm | Report comment
And you would know you have lived in West Sydney for how many year?I lived there for 22
February 10th 2010 @ 7:07am
Mick from Giralang said | February 10th 2010 @ 7:07am | Report comment
Then you would realise how wrong that statement is.
February 10th 2010 @ 12:04pm
Norm said | February 10th 2010 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
Mick I think you’ll find John was responding to Fred Nerk.
February 11th 2010 @ 5:50am
Mick from Giralang said | February 11th 2010 @ 5:50am | Report comment
Oops…
February 11th 2010 @ 3:37pm
Beast-A-Tron said | February 11th 2010 @ 3:37pm | Report comment
Hey Mick where’s that source regarding Sheedy’s comments?
February 9th 2010 @ 8:18am
oikee said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:18am | Report comment
Sheedy seems to be superman. He is signing up sth africans like their’s no tommorow, and now he is off to california to recruit some more. Next he will be off to China to sign up some monks or something.
Lets face it, if you can fumble a ball, kick a ball along the ground or punch a ball, the AFL badly needs you. 
p.s you dont even have to kick the ball straight, we have got that covered also.
February 9th 2010 @ 8:37am
Al said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:37am | Report comment
It must be the only sport on the planet where you can get drafted into the highest league without needing to have actually played the sport.
February 9th 2010 @ 9:38am
Forgetmenot said | February 9th 2010 @ 9:38am | Report comment
Football has a very broad range of skills, with a broad range of positions. Pretty much anyone with a skill in some area, can play a particular position.
February 9th 2010 @ 9:48am
NFL? said | February 9th 2010 @ 9:48am | Report comment
Never heard of the NFL? There are others as well. Think about it.
February 9th 2010 @ 10:09am
Michael C said | February 9th 2010 @ 10:09am | Report comment
uh…..the NFL has drafted players in from the AFL and hasn’t the odd Rugby (League) guy gotten in there, and even a Danish soccer player is the all time NFL points scoring champion ‘kicker’,…..
btw – all the AFL guys brought in are brought in via ‘rookie/scholarship’ lists – they are NOT drafted straight onto a senior list,
and, similar to the path of the above mentioned Morten Andreson from Denmark, they play in minor leagues generally for a year or two or even three before getting even a temporary rookie elevation to play a senior game let alone a permanent elevation to a senior list.
February 9th 2010 @ 10:56am
Al said | February 9th 2010 @ 10:56am | Report comment
Ok, the NFL has recruited a few punters and kickers who have played other codes and are usually in their mid 30′s and thus surplus to the codes that they have played, that isn’t comparable to young kids who have hardly kicked an aussie rules ball being drafted purely because of their atheltic ability or novelty factor. There was some Fijian guy picked at number 2 in one of the drafts a few years ago, the guy has played Aussie Rules for no more than a couple years and he’s taken as the second best youngster in the draft, his only particular “skill” being that he can jump high.
There are specialised skills that need to be ingrained into kids in sports such Association Football and the Rugby’s if they can ever have a chance to play the sport at the highest level, for aussie rules all you need to do is be able to run, there is nothing that could be classified as being skilled base, nothing specialised that needs to be learned and relearned, just atheltic ability and not much more. If one wanted to watch athletes you would choose the olympics, if one wanted to watch the football codes, you would watch association football and the rugbys, sports that require a high level of specialised skill and intelligence due to the myriad of strategy and tactics involved.
February 9th 2010 @ 10:57am
Al said | February 9th 2010 @ 10:57am | Report comment
Ok, the NFL has recruited a few punters and kickers who have played other codes and are usually in their mid 30′s and are surplus to the codes that they have played, that isn’t comparable to young kids who have hardly kicked an aussie rules ball being drafted purely because of their atheltic ability or novelty factor. There was some Fijian guy picked at number 2 in one of the drafts a few years ago, the guy has played Aussie Rules for no more than a couple years and he’s taken as the second best youngster in the draft, his only particular “skill” being that he can jump high.
February 9th 2010 @ 11:18am
Redb said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:18am | Report comment
If your talking about Nic Natinui then your not fully aware of the facts.
He has shown an aptitude for rucking where leap and timing are important. He has been heavily criticised for his football skills and is still in development. His kicking skills are poor.
Many of the ‘lateral’ recruits are fringe players at best. But as time goes on the AFL is aiming at involving players from a wider recruitment net much earlier as the transition is very difficult.
I wouldnt write off Natinui just yet though. he has an X factor.
Redb
February 9th 2010 @ 12:52pm
Michael C said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
many ruckmen have been average by foot – - generally the ball drop is greater and more vulnerable to a bad drop or wind blowing of course,
but, reality is ruckmen play a specific role, many are average ‘ground level’ players too,
generally, ruckmen get told to dish off a handball to a running player – - like anything, you want the ball in the hands or control of the players best suited to carrying and delivering it.
Naitanui has played some very good age level footy and some very good WAFL footy – -he’s a bit ‘raw’ is all.
February 9th 2010 @ 9:00pm
skull said | February 9th 2010 @ 9:00pm | Report comment
The nfl has not drafted anyone from afl, but they have signed them as free agents
February 9th 2010 @ 8:27am
keeper11 said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:27am | Report comment
So much for the ..drum roll..’battle of the codes’….actually most kids in GWS play and are involved in that other code …’tha sockah’
By LARGE numbers…
..running around in Kewell and Rooney jerseys…
..they do follow the nrl but also dream of fame and glory on the hallowed pitches of the EPL and the unrivalled spectacale of the world cup…..
but don’t expect to the paul kents or the propgandists at the Tele to say anything about that….
sydney media …what a joke
February 9th 2010 @ 12:02pm
Fred Nerk said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
More kids ride bicycles than play soccer, what does that prove? I very much doubt there would be a person in this country that hasn’t played soccer at some point, however junior participation rates do not translate to popularity of spectator sports amongst adults. If that was the case then the NFL in America would be dead.
February 9th 2010 @ 8:36am
oikee said | February 9th 2010 @ 8:36am | Report comment
Hey Keeper, so tell me.! How many kids have reached that dream, and dont you think it’s about time someone tell them the truth, its nothing more than a dream. You can also play on this so-called hallowed turf playing other codes as well, hell, nucklehead rugby players do it all the time.
February 9th 2010 @ 9:33am
Rod said | February 9th 2010 @ 9:33am | Report comment
Yeah so much so 8 k turned up at Parra the other day to watch Sydney Bling bling eh?
8k, I think they fudged the figures.
February 9th 2010 @ 10:15am
mossy said | February 9th 2010 @ 10:15am | Report comment
In the words of KRudd “on the comments above, let me say this”…
I am an all-code lover so can provide some kind of objectivity on the Code War (and anyone who thinks there is no code war I hope that your first day of school was as fun and as exciting as mummy and daddy made it out to be)…
The interesting point is how paranoid the NRL are of the insuring AFL. Can anyone remember AFL making such a fuss when the Storm entered Mexico? The Storm is like a poor cousin who represented the state in underwater hockey, sure an achievement but not quite headline material. While the AFL having two teams in Sydney has caused the NRL to flip out.
The reality is, the AFL is coming to this side of town. Will it crush the NRL? unlikely in the short-term, highly likely in the long term. Why? because they have an advanced product that does not relly on handouts from Leagues Club’s, and an independent commission that has run the game for 15 years. The NRL has lagged, living off the riches of its own people (have you ever seen the link of League Club pokier machine profits draining the working class man of his cash to fund the team he supports?)… Rugby League’s response is a power squable over an independent commission.
There is no doubt that AFL will win the war unless swift action is taken by rugby league. Maybe not today or next year, but before long there will be no money in the kitty for grass roots let alone paying players market value compared to other codes.
And for those that want to have a go at the credibility of Kevin Sheedy have some respect, the man is an icon in Australian sport
February 9th 2010 @ 10:36am
Michael C said | February 9th 2010 @ 10:36am | Report comment
the clear benefit in markets is from competition there is a reactive repositioning – - a modernising, and the NRL has really been forced to more towards an IC (whether they can complete the journey is another story).
The AFL was for a period seemingly ignoring the Melbourne ‘heartland’, but, a bit of competition entering the market has probably been a good thing.
What I can’t understand is the vitriolic hatred that SOME people put forward. Massive inferiority complex I guess? The AFL ‘war chest’ is so often referred to – I guess people fear the power of money – - but, what’s the money buying? How is it used? Is it all evil or a good thing to have money injected into the economy?
The AFL model is based on a value proposition – unlike as you describe the ‘pokies fund the clubs’ model of the NRL with stuff all ‘value’ to the pokie player – - the AFL pushed club memberships with the value proposition of match attendance which the AFL facilitated via running a couple of large capacity venues rather than suburban backwaters. The NRL has started down a path of encouraging memberships. Are they willing to complete that journey as well??
February 9th 2010 @ 11:28am
Redb said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:28am | Report comment
The warchest is just veiled code war waste basket stuff.
The AFL was quicker off the mark in its expansion to the point where it will have 2 teams in ‘new’ markets.
There is no reason rugby league would drop off the earth, that people even think this is possible suggests an agenda in the first place. That is, to hide their code bias they pretend the AFL is trying to kill their game in order to attack it.
The AFL through Kevin Sheedy will bring new people to the game, many of them wont be NRL fans, Sheeds has an ability to draw people to him. If the NRL want to fear anything its this ability to inspire and create new sports fans, new markets. Young players will want to play for him.
Redb
February 9th 2010 @ 10:48am
AndyRoo said | February 9th 2010 @ 10:48am | Report comment
Why would the AFL worry about other codes, none of them can get on free to air at a decent time and they generate about 1/15th of the Newspaper/Radio coverage. Melbourne’s a very different environment to Sydney.
Until recently they didn’t even have an appropriate shaped stadium.
That’s why their is no fuss, and in addition the AFL making a fuss would be about the only way those codes would get coverage, the other codes getting in a tizz has worked wonders for GWS and GC17.
February 9th 2010 @ 10:56am
Jay said | February 9th 2010 @ 10:56am | Report comment
The next tv rights deal will determine hugely the direction the two codes take in this country. While I agree with your assertion that the AFL is better managed, the NRL is not too far away from the transition towards an independent commission. It will take time, yes, but its more likely than not in terms of proceeding. At this stage, it appears likely that the AFL will get their $1bn from their tv rights, but RL should not be too far behind. The ‘war chests’ will be roughly even for both codes. And it should be noted that RL currently invests more in western Sydney that what the AFL is projecting to spend.
Also another point is that the NRL have more potential to grow. RL has not properly tapped into Perth or Adelaide (both 30-50 year investments like the Bears and Swans for Aussie Rules). The NRL has people bashing down to door to join the competition. There is a credible domestic representative season and an improving international tournament.
It silly to think one code will canablise the other because they are such different games with different players. They are both likely going to the No. 1 or No. 2 football codes in the country, its just their reach will increase nationally. We’re probably moving towards an American based sports model where there are NBL, NHL, NFL, MLB, MLS teams representing the same geographic region. For us, it will probably be teams from NRL, AFL, A-League, Big Bash.
I would tend to agree with John O’Neil’s comments on ‘code wars’. At the moment there are 4 fotballing codes in Australia.. of this number, probably one code will diminish (but not disappear).. AFL will be fine. I think the NRL will be too, but it will be largely contingent on what numbers are negotiated for the new tv deal.
February 9th 2010 @ 11:29am
Forgetmenot said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:29am | Report comment
TBH.
Removing as much bias as i can. I would hazard a guess and say that either league or union will diminish a lot since they are very similar games.
February 9th 2010 @ 11:35am
M1tch said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:35am | Report comment
the least junior participation, least tv ratings, least crowds, least tv media rights would deminish a sport and thats puts RU and a-league in strife
February 9th 2010 @ 11:36am
M1tch said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:36am | Report comment
*no edit damn*
obviously sports are strong in some departments ie: soccer with junior players
February 9th 2010 @ 11:39am
Michael C said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:39am | Report comment
Jay – the potential for growth is a bit misleading though -
for a couple of reasons -
the NRL is ‘dominant’ so to speak in 55% of the nation, vs the AFL in 45% of the nation by population. We’ve heart this line often enough – - so, who has the greater potential for growth?
Where the NRL is dominant – so too is soccer and RUgby Union (on the basis of each codes national distribution)
Where NRL is NOT – Perth and Adelaide, the domestic market is much smaller, lower value add – and RU is already in place in Perth
RL is not that distinct from RU
We’re still to see the impact of RU/Rebels vs RL/Storm in Melbourne/Vic
NRL has in real terms, a minimal base or foundation in the states/cities that it isn’t strong in. AFL for example is far more entrenched in NSW and QLD than RL is in Vic. Potential for growth has to be realistic and provide time frames (as no one operates in a sporting/business vacuum). How far is the NRL away from a 2nd Melb team for example?? 20 years at best.
You can’t just point to deficiencies and claim that because the NRL has a lot of short comings that they all provide it a greater ‘potential for growth’ value. It also provides a great potential for failure, or, at least, stagnation.
the NRL has about maximised it’s Pay TV value – as, the most mature Pay market is NRL heartland, there’s very little ‘value add’ – and ratings don’t pay off nearly as well in Pay TV land as they do in FTA land.
but – then, broadcast rights wise, the AFL gets in first, NRL second – and the other codes will be left with the cut price scraps??? THAT remains to be played out.
February 9th 2010 @ 12:45pm
Redb said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:45pm | Report comment
The TV rights is interesting and if you beleive Wilson and Co in the Daily Terror and you probably shouldn’t, then after the AFl and NRL deal is done there wont be much left.
The advantage for the AFL is that it has had the better money for 5 years and perhaps will get even more next time around. It’s independent commission is established and like it or not, controls the money the game earns.
There is no guarantee the clubs in the NRL will be so willing to give up the revenue of an increased TV rights deal.
I do tend to agree with Jay that we will have two big mainstream games in AFL and NRL, despite soccer’s international profile the poor peforming A League will struggle, Union is in the wilderness due to it’s similiarity to rugby league. The increase in RL viewership may well have been due to union fans watching more league than their own game. Cant see that trend changing.
No matter how hard all codes try, they will never be able to create the sheer numbers of rusted on fans from Melbourne AFL clubs and Sydney NRL clubs – that is mass multi-generational support. The two biggest bulls in this backyard.
Redb
February 9th 2010 @ 1:12pm
Jay said | February 9th 2010 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
Michael – in terms of future growth, the NRL has, in my opinion, more opportunities than the AFL. The AFL will teams across every major city in Australia soon. They may try for smaller areas like Newcastle, Central Coast or Townsville or another team in Sydney, but these areas have a population of 100k-500k. Perth and Adeliade are 1m+ and for the NRL, its a bit like Aussie Rules moving from VFL to the AFL. The growth in the regard has been fantastic, but it seems like the AFL may be hitting a bit of a wall if GWS is established. While RL is not entrenched in these areas – it is no different to what happened with the Swans, Bears and GWS.
The NRL also has genuine international interest from NZ and PNG. Granted I understand that the AFL are also investing in SA, PNG, NZ – but can these areas really sustain an AFL team?
Your point about RU is no more a ‘threat’ than soccer is to AFL (especially in Western Sydney and the Gold Coast). RL has lived alongside RU in NSW and QLD for over 100 years. Having RU in a city like Perth will help RL given the overlap in skills for growing the game there. Also – once people understand and watch both games – they will understand that RL is very distinct from RU (a bit like someone saying aussie rules is not distinct from gaelic football). In these areas, we also have better financial resources and FTA exposure than RU.
Lastly – about the tv rights.. you may be correct in your statement about foxtel, but over FTA product is severley undervalued. Numbers being floated around suggest our new tv rights will be double of our existing rights. We should also get more exposure under the new deal because its likely that RL will be shown on different channels as the RL are selling NRL, SoO, Test Matches separately. On that note, a new team in NZ mean better tv revenue. The NZ warriors bring in significant revenue by the rights deals with Sky, another team there will only increase this figure.
These are real prospects for growth. We WILL have an independent commission soon and our new tv deal will allow us to explore these opportunities in due time. With this is offcourse the chance of failure – as is the same with the AFL’s expansion. Nothing is guaranteed.
February 9th 2010 @ 2:13pm
Michael C said | February 9th 2010 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
re the FTA product – the RL folk continue to ignore that an AFL match provides 120 minutes ‘clock’ time of action (i.e. play time plus ‘time on’), compared to NRL matches of 2 * 40 mins halves. That’s 50% more TV sport content per match,
that means, per round, the equivalent of 4 extra games.
There alone is a simple explaination for the current difference (that too and that the AFL contract includes a reasonable ‘non-cash’ component – - that the NRL seems not to have, although, the NRL does certainly seem to benefit with the way the NewsLtd DT presents NRL on their website compared to the NewsLtd HS and how it presents AFL on it’s website [ compare minimum of AFL content on HS sports home page vs what looks like an NRL home page that is the DT sports home page.
btw – NRL limitation is what you call a strength. THe over reliance on regionally based clubs actually limits growth potential.
It limits the FTA value as well – - as, there’s no real comparison of a unified metro market such as Adelaide or Perth compared to a disparate regional market including Wollongong, Townsville and Newcastle – - even if the ‘aggregate’ of population might mount up.
Roy Masters can argue until he’s blue in the face – - but, the NRL has sold everything for TV, the night/evening GF, the flexible fixtures, Monday night matches, doubled up Friday nighters etc etc. I do note the NRL has discovered that they need to roll back a little to help encourage greater uptake of memberships. But, that means their TV product get’s lessened a fraction in value because the NRL has to help clubs increase core ‘football’ revenue via memberships/attendance to offset possible diminished pokies revenue.
The AFL I really, really reckon should be running dual Friday night matches – but, one for FTA and one PayTV perhaps – but, leave the FTA network with the choice of which to cover nearer to the time. I wouldn’t mind seeing the AFL run a twilight GF, because come end of Sept you can too easily have a 30 degree day. The AFL has a few things to play with to help improve their value.
NRL in NZ is interesting, it sits above about 30,000 ‘participants’. That’s equivalent to AFL in Tassie??
FOr now anyway – there’s the AFL potential for clubs 19 and 20 to be Tassie and a third WA side (and WA, there’s a push for either a 3rd team or at least 60K Subi capacity, because, both Freo and Eagles are basically over subscribed and they NEED more capacity). You don’t need to look much further than that, however, if all things go well, there may be scope in future for a Oceania ‘team’ in the AFL, there could even be an Aust based ‘Irish’ team. There’s potential in different ways – - but, because no code will evolve in a sporting vacuum, – - – it really is a case that the better structural foundations in place, the greater the capacity to ‘expand’…….a bit like a 20K capacity stadium built with foundations to go 50K compared to one with only 20K foundations. There’s ‘theoretical’ potential, and there’s real in-built potential.
Good luck to the NRL though. For now – I half suspect they’re best served to just hold tight because – they’re in a head to head battle with soccer in their ‘heartland’ including at the regional level. The NRL I reckon faces greater threat there. After all, in NRL/AFL cities, we’ve more often seen better quality better rounded players graduate to each code, but, soccer doesn’t offer this to the NRL – - and, to a degree – - the greater strength of soccer at grass roots potentially benefits AFL more so than NRL – i.e. soccer will gobble up the square venues and kids learning soccer as youngun’s, – it’s a huge shift to then play Rugby, but, not as great a shift to play Aust Footy.
February 9th 2010 @ 11:51am
Punter said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:51am | Report comment
Mossy
The issue here is that no-one in Melbourne cared about Storm in Mexico, why because no -one in Melbourne fears Rugby League.
However in Sydney, the biggest competitor to their dominance is a sport with more money, the AFL, hence the worry of the Rugby League of the impeding AFL expansion into their heartland Sydney West & Gold Coast. There is no doubt that Rugby League looks at AFL as being their biggest threat.
However, we all saw how the AFL, both media & officials fill out (using your words) over the football WC recently. One fellow blogger felt is was like the Weapons of Mass Detruction saga all over again, such was the fevour & rubbish coming out Melbourne & the AFL during this period.
Now here they (the AFL) are seen as the transgressor & the Sydney media are trying to defend their turf.
February 11th 2010 @ 1:44pm
Gerard said | February 11th 2010 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
The difference being the AFL fans are reasonably annoyed at the prospect of having the season effectively ruined and of being locked out of many games due to the non-availability of the MCG. Collingwood will very likely have at least 70,000 members by 2022, even if the AFL is allowed to run at the same time as the World Cup, and if the AFL has exclusive use of docklands stadium, you still face the prospect of the majority of participating club members not being able to attend. You can be damn sure if it was some rugby event that wanted to take over the MCG for 8 weeks there would be a similar outcry.
On the other hand the AFL push into Western Sydney causes inconvenience to rugby league of what exactly?
February 9th 2010 @ 12:10pm
skull said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
concern troll, lover of all codes indeed. another afl cheerleader
February 9th 2010 @ 12:10pm
Fred Nerk said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
There is another possibility; the AFL and NRL both co-exist and prosper in Western Sydney. The funny thing about people is that they have different interests, we don’t all like the same movies, we don’t all like the same flavor of icecream, we don’t all like the same sports. Saying that the AFL will crush the NRL is like saying Chocolate will crush Vanilla.
There is a significant demographic in Western Sydney for which RL holds no interest, this is the demographic the AFL is pursuing. If the AFL successfully reaches that demographic, it doesn’t automatically mean that it is at the expense of the NRL.
February 9th 2010 @ 12:37pm
Al said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
The AFL aren’t interested in co-existing, they are the Microsoft of Australian sports and want to dominate and eventually extinguish their “competitors”.
February 9th 2010 @ 12:47pm
Redb said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
says who?
More RL rhetoric spun from Daily Telegraph propaganda.
February 9th 2010 @ 1:54pm
Michael C said | February 9th 2010 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Huh??
how so?
February 9th 2010 @ 12:38pm
Michael C said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
chocolate ice cream……..blargh!!!
vanilla is best,
everyone else is soft/weak/brain washed…….
February 9th 2010 @ 12:13pm
Mick from Giralang said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
AFL relies on pokeer machine takings to the tune of $100 million a year…
February 9th 2010 @ 10:35am
keeper11 said | February 9th 2010 @ 10:35am | Report comment
haha ..the truth?
about 200 + at last count….
sure ..only a few have made it ‘big time’….1st division European club with champions league participation
ofcourse some wallow in the backblocks of lower clubs in eastern europe….
but many have ‘made-it’ nicely …..a great career , well renumerated as pro-soccer players either in Europe or A-league
in a code that offers an array of international honours to inspire them..
that is the nature of a super-competitve global code like football…( or tennis., golf )
..not everyone can be at the very very top
but either way…ask any of them if they would swap that experience for the so-called ‘big time’ of week in week out bus trips to Parra stadium and Homebush and back page of the Tele in the self-proclaimed ‘greatest game of all’..
so who are you or me ( or the tele to stop them dreaming ?)
February 9th 2010 @ 10:58am
oikee said | February 9th 2010 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Sorry, all i was really saying is that anyone can play on your hallowed turf. As for playing around the world? If you play union you can travel anywhere, if you play rugby league, you can follow the thousands over the years who have made their way to England or France, go have a look, it has been happening now for over 50 years. Harry Bath played most of his career in England, many players never returned.
I am quite sure it is thousands over the years, i could nearly quaratee you this, i think their is over 100 Aussies and Kiwis playing super league now, or Co-op, just below.
You amuse me with only soccer allows you freedom in the world, i would rather make the NRL, i get to travel if i am any good, and i know i am playing the best rugby league comp, yes, in the world.
And Australia is great, good in Winter and Summer. Why would i want to be stuck in the cold anywhere, i can visit these places anytime, then leave,.
February 9th 2010 @ 11:10am
oikee said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Sorry, Harry Bath, he was a football player, i meant Brian Bevens, Sorry Harry,. My mistake, Harry Bath just came to my head.
I am not firing on 4 cylinders this week.
Yes and before the insults, i know, i never fire on 4 cylinders.
February 10th 2010 @ 1:10am
Mr cheese said | February 10th 2010 @ 1:10am | Report comment
Harry Bath was a Rugby League player who died not so long ago.
He played for Warrington in England for the best part of a decade in the 40s / 50s.
Who is Brian Bevens ?
February 10th 2010 @ 1:07pm
Springs said | February 10th 2010 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
Brian Bevan was a League player who played his entire career (apart from 7 games at Easts) for Warrington. He was a winger that scored something like 796 tries in 600 and something games, making him the all-time highest tryscorer in Rugby League history. He is in both the Australian and English Rugby League Hall of Fames, and was included in the Team of the Century.
February 9th 2010 @ 10:48am
oikee said | February 9th 2010 @ 10:48am | Report comment
I am not really having a go at Sheedy, but a icon in Australian sport, wrong my friend, a icon in Melbourne eyes only. Nobody north of the mexico border had heard of the guy. Same applies to Hindmarsh down south. Yes i know who shadey is now, but before all this cafluffal about him joining sydney, he was just another name, unheard of really.
Same applies to the Saints New Orleans, i never heard of this team until a week ago.
I agree with you that rugby league is lagging, but when you have a television deal worth half of what the AFL has had, ? What you want, miricle’s.
If rugby league gets anywhere near 1 billion dollars for its next t/v deal, that is nearly twice what it acheived last deal.
Now, i am not a rocket scientist, but the NRL has survived and thrived with a lessor deal, having a warchest twice the size of what it has now will be nice.. Also, the AFL having to prop these 2 new teams up, thats alot of cash spent doing so, i know where i would rather be the next 5 years.
The NRL does not intend to expand until the around 2016-17 which will be in-line with the new t/v deal, by then Perth should be ready, PNG who now has huge backing coming on board, you dont get much bigger world-wide than Coke,
Not to mention 2 new teams like the bears and Central Queensland also fully funded coming on-line 2012,. I think a 20 team comp 2017 looks very good to me, and we will have the player talent to make it happen. The salary cap will rise which will mean we can attract more players from overseas. Something we have had trouble doing thus far.
This is why the Independent commision is so important, we need to be prepared to grow the game everywhere, not just QLD and NSW.
At the moment, these 2 states are holding the game back, trying to protect their own. We are past this, we need to move out of last century, into a new one. We are 10 years behind already as you say, lets not be 20 years behind.
February 9th 2010 @ 11:24am
Forgetmenot said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:24am | Report comment
Im from NSW and i know who Sheedy is. As do most league followers i know.
February 9th 2010 @ 11:42am
Dogz R Barkn said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:42am | Report comment
Of course most of us know who Sheeds is – just as most Victorians (with a sporting interest) would know who Bennett is.
February 9th 2010 @ 12:04pm
Mick from Giralang said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
The first I knew of Kevin Sheedy was when he announced rugby league was a far tougher game than AFL.
February 9th 2010 @ 12:14pm
Dogz R Barkn said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
You have to admit that it’s a silly argument for anyone to enter.
What do we mean by “tougher”
a. allowing oneself to be mercilessly smashed front on for 80 minutes? or
b. having to undergo the sort of non stop gut running that mere mortals could not possibly comprehend.
February 9th 2010 @ 12:43pm
Al said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:43pm | Report comment
The former. “Gut running” yep, with players being substituted on and off every 10 seconds it sure gets tough running to and from the bench all the time and having a break for 5 out of every 15 minutes of game time! The likes of Tony Lockett, the all time leading goal kicker in AFL/VFL whateverFL history really looked like the athletic type, maybe he would have given Matt Dunning a run for his money in the “gut running” stakes.
February 9th 2010 @ 12:12pm
MyGeneration said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
And I’ll bet Sheedy knew exactly who Nathan Hindmarsh was when they asked him. Crazy like a fox.
February 9th 2010 @ 12:19pm
M1tch said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
hahaha, he no stupid
February 9th 2010 @ 11:40am
Dogz R Barkn said | February 9th 2010 @ 11:40am | Report comment
Now my mathematics ain’t all that good, but how correct is it to say that the the next two new clubs will be a drain on AFL coffers?
It could be argued that it’s the next two new clubs that is helping the AFL increase its TV revenue by $200+ mill to $1 billion, in which case, haven’t the two new clubs paid for themselves? Regardless of what the AFL puts into them over the ensuing 5 years?
The NRL has to think the same way.
Two new clubs in two different parts of Australia – it’s a risk – but that’s what drives TV revenue and future growth.
Hats off to the AFL – they started all this nearly 30 years ago with the Swans – it has been a logical and carefully planned expansion ever since – people are wrong to criticise such a successful organisation, the benchmark for the rest of the domestic comps.
February 9th 2010 @ 1:32pm
Jay said | February 9th 2010 @ 1:32pm | Report comment
The next tv rights are what really counts. What would really be surprising is if NRL gets a similar figure with 2 less teams in their national compeititon (thought i suppose we have more games to sell and have proper rep games).
February 9th 2010 @ 3:54pm
oikee said | February 9th 2010 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
Just dont jump the gun bulldog, i have just read that Cricket ratings on channel 9 fell 40% ,, and lets face the facts, cricket is all but dead and buried in this country.(i stoped watching it 2 years ago). Now take into effect that AFL share grounds with cricket, thats a hell of a propping up hole that AFL is going to have to fork out for dead stadiums, ??
Lets be honest, Rugby union, (football/soccer) and rugby league share same grounds, our grounds over the next 10 years are growth capitals , and no amount of dollars in the world can save AFL with no other sport helping it pay the bills, at the very least, it cant compete.
. Cricket is a failing giant, maybe not worldwide, but Australia is a good judge of sports which people enjoy. The last feild i want to be at is a round oval, so AFL will struggle , the fallout is going to be very ugly.
Something not looked at until i read today about cricket losing fans like mouth’s to a bonfire. AFL will have a 200 million hole to fill, and thats on stadium costs alone.
This is probably why they are running around locking in deals with Etihad and MCG. These 2 rusting giants will only get worse over time with no money to spend doing them up, unless the government keeps forking out millions. Worse still will be their expansion areas. with 2 stadiums and a failing cricket code, it dont look good, it dont look good at all.
Victorian Government might be happy to prop them up, but i can tell you, QLD and NSW government would be shot to peices if they tried to bail them out.
Anyhow, thats the report, something nobody seen coming, well maybe they did.
In the meantime, Storm Heart and Rebels, plus Victory are playing out of a brand new stadium, with all the luxuries rugby league, soccer and Union fans enjoy in our states, a mega t/v deal, and expansion teams not effecting our t/v deal. Like i mentioned, i know where i want to be the next 5 years.
February 9th 2010 @ 4:41pm
Jay said | February 9th 2010 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
RU had a 40% drop in ratings, cricket suffered due to a boring summer.. but its definatley not going to die in Australia.. Next year the ashes, stadiums will be full and ratings back.
If you had a season of Australia, Tonga and Samoa in RU or Australia, PNG and lebanon in RL or Cats, Richmond and melbourne in the AFL – ofcourse people are going to get bored.
Im sure the figures would have been better if the season was shorter and more T20′s.. the administrators will learn soon enough.
February 10th 2010 @ 4:49pm
ilikedahoodoogurusingha said | February 10th 2010 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
Having been to the MCG for a visit just before christmas and done the behind the scenes tour, I was surprised to discover that the MCG is entirely funded by the members of the Melbourne Cricket Club….the only state finance EVER invested was for the commonwealth games……so it wont be a burden on ANY code.
February 11th 2010 @ 7:50am
Redb said | February 11th 2010 @ 7:50am | Report comment
“This is probably why they are running around locking in deals with Etihad and MCG. These 2 rusting giants will only get worse over time with no money to spend doing them up”
such an ignorant comment.
February 9th 2010 @ 12:29pm
Midfielder said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
Interesting NRL owns WS … HMMMMmmmmm
Me thinks that is a tad overstated … Football eight former NSL clubs… close to 100, 000 registered winter players …. Five Associations… NSW Football head office in Blacktown for the pass 30 years moving to Riverstone (about 9 KL’s from Blacktown).
Pockets of WS especially South Western Sydney … Football only ….. it is a bit place WS with four major sub areas…
North Western Sydney 550, 000 little NRL, RL team maybe Parrmatta.. but football has huge player numbers in this area.
Center WS … say Parrmatta top Penerith along the railway line .. NRL first, Football second but Ya NRL is the boss..
South Western Sydney … mixed a lot but Football in the main
South Western Sydney / Cm/ Town area .. RL is the main game but footbal would be RL first…
February 9th 2010 @ 12:37pm
Mick from Giralang said | February 9th 2010 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
No doubt soccer is strong in the west — in fact it’s always been strong particularly with the post war influx of immigrants with British and European heritage. My suburb had a rich sprinkling of Poles, Dutch, Greeks, Italians and Poms. Soccer’s junior numbers are the envy of the other codes andwhile rugby league will always been ingrained in the culture of the west, soccer is in far better position than AFL to grow in the west. The question is whether it has the money, vision and strategy to do so.
February 9th 2010 @ 1:04pm
Towser said | February 9th 2010 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
Judging by the number of Socceroos produced from the area in one sense it has grown into a mature adult.
On that basis alone I consider it a strong football area.
Also as Midfielder said 8 former NSL clubs. Many though of an Ethnic background
So then considering it from the angle of a strong professional club, representing all people from that area, its a different kettle of fish.
So far I’m not convinced it can say emulate Melbourne Victory & garner support from these former NSL club fans.
But then again Sydney Rovers have released little about themselves yet.
February 9th 2010 @ 1:04pm
mushi said | February 9th 2010 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
And commerical return $0.
Soccer rents, NRL owns
February 9th 2010 @ 1:33pm
Midfielder said | February 9th 2010 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Mushi
I guess you have missed the last few years…. but believe what you want ….
But just to give you an insight … in 2003 the NSL had a income of 2 million dollars and their where 16 NSL clubs operating on budgets of less than a million… So a total income of about 16 million and some clubs lost money…
In 2008 FFA had an income outside any Commonwealth funding of 85 million… Eight A-League clubs with a budget of 8 million each… so 64 million… together than is 149 million …. six clubs lost money but the biggest loss was less than one million.. Meaning that Football has about 143 million dollars in funding as at 2008 and growing … BTW this is on a 17 million dollar per year Media deal…
Foxs late last year offered to replace the final 4 years of their 17 million deal i.e. 4 * 17 = 68 million deal with a five year 300 million dollar deal… or 60 million per year with only 12 teams… FFA said the bid was way to low…
So say what you will … the past was the past … but as I said beiieve what you want too…
February 9th 2010 @ 4:23pm
Simmo said | February 9th 2010 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
“Soccer rents, NRL owns”
NRL rents as well. In fact hardly anyone owns significant assets