AFL's push into Western Sydney is a battlegound

Crosscoder - ah, back to the Gold Coast - - but, there, the 'old' has already been serviced just fine - Skilled Stadium at Nerang and Suncorp stadium - - the rectangle codes can't complain - - it's only cricket and Aust Footy who have to drive up to Brisbane to see higher standard sports. The issue in Melbourne was that the State Govt hadn't made the investment - - on the existing facilities. Whereas, in QLD, you've had state govt input all along for the existing facilities. So - you're losing me a little on this. Why would the NRL folk complain about monies spent at the SCG?? The SCG is a cricket ground. The NRL jumped into their purpose built SFS. They got Homebush so they could get 70-80K to GF's and SoO. I wouldn't think the NRL has anything to complain about. Do you only see the SCG as an AFL venue? It is first and foremost the home of cricket in NSW - - surely!! (likewise, the Gabba in Brisbane - - it's a cricket oval). The possible benefit of the AFL coming to town is the cricket grounds have been upgraded perhaps better than they might otherwise have. Anything wrong with that?? - - - re Storm vs Swans - Swans were obviously a bit of a curiousity - - but, also - like it or not, along came Dr.Edelston and the pink helicopter and Warwick Capper and it all seemed to be a bit surreal. We in MElbourne groaned - but, perhaps it was exactly what was needed to make an impression - - - 6 years on though, absolutely right, crowds of sub 10K and they were on the verge of collapse and up went Ronald Dale. Perhaps the Storm needs a pink helicopter? or Wayne Bennett? But - the Storm are winning, are tops on the field.........again, I reckon for them, success came too soon - for a start up to win in their 2nd year - in some respects, I don't think they've ever recovered!!!! Btw - News Ltd own them, go complain to the Murdochs that they aren't doing enough to beat up some publicity. Actually, in 1999, North Melb won the AFL GF, and Storm won the NRL GF - we had a street parade for BOTH victors to be 'recieved' together on the steps of parliament house. For me as a North fan, the damn shame was that Storm got the bigger cheer - - i.e. bipartisan support, whereas, for North, we're just one of many and not overly supported at that.

MichaelC You still don't get the point:It's about poor FACILITES for an established code in alocal govt area,that has been there for decades.It is about another newly establishing code securing funding,and the poor facilities for the established code and community are again overlooked.Broken tap? bit melodramatic. You bring up the $300m facility ,it is also for usage of A League 2 teams and bet your bottom dollar a S14 team,not exclusive,and allocated during times of plenty.The AFL is also getting in Qld large sums(State and Federal) for the GC in times of hardship,good luck. What the hell that has to do with a comparison of a community in a specific area with poor facilities. The argument on the basis of community needs therefore should be all encompassing ,the old gets a slice as well as the new.In this instant it didn't.Obviously it appears fairness,doesn't count. And the NRL and the great majority of clubs have said nothing about the monies expended on the SCG ,nor monies spent on junior AFL facilities within Sydney via council allocations(including my area) Cosmopolitan includes media coverage/acceptance and having all codes played for decades,such as happened in NSW. The Melbourne media ,the least said the better.The Storm coverage in comparison to what the Swans got in Sydney during the first decade is miniscule.Despite the fact the Swans had some very ordinary crowds at times some below the 10,000 mark.This applied to both electronic and print.Barry Round,Lady Fairfax,Capper,Willessee,Just jeans,Helicopters,Edelstein,Basil Sellers,Jack ,A street parade in Sydney(none for the Storm I note in Melbourne)etc etc. I think i know which city is a tad more cosmopolitan.

I think most of you ignore the effect that a new team will have on the Swans. Knowing a lot of AFL supporters who go for the Swans, and die hard ones too that went in the 80's, they come from out West. Now do they give up the Swans and go for the new team? This may see the Swans did in crowds as well, and then give the impression AFL is totally off the boil in NSW. Personally I don't care, because I tried to get into it when the going was good for the Swans, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Just think the AFL only sees the up side, and not the down side to all of this. May be in for a rude shock.

How do you be an established 'community code' and NOT be a grass roots issue? Isn't that what people are complaining about in the West Sydney / Blacktown saga ........ (some on here have gone as far as saying that every broken tap will be blamed on the AFL!!! gawd what rot). Reality - publicly - is that the AFL and the clubs have said nothing at all about $300 mill of state funds going to the new rectangle stadium. nothing. It's kinda been underwhelming. I can but figure they are given their options and imperative now - and may yet make a noise further down the track.....but,....there was no 'code wars' hysteria from anyone........I guess we must just be a bit more cosmopolitan (which, sometimes I suspect as being code for selfish apathy!! ;-) ). I guess when Melb Storm gets 20-30K regularly then they might get more coverage. The Age though - gawd, I wouldn't try to explain them.....other than that they don't wish to overly promote a News Ltd product.

MichaelC i am not discussing what a code does at grassroots,I am using an example if a code from outside Melbourne arrived in an area where aussie rules had very ordinary facilities.The new mob were given money to develop facilites,the established community code got nought.They would not be happy "Jans". Price has indeed been in Sydney for that period ,and is aware that all newspapers give AFL/NRL and S14 coverage(you can debate the amount)>He is also aware the 3 FTA commercial networks in Sydney do likewise.The Victory is played out of the winter season.The lead in ch9 sport news Sydney at 4-30pm recently involved the Terruy Wallace dramas.It happens regularly. If the Melbourne Age and the 3 Melbourne commercial Tv stations did the same you would have an argument.They don't . Melbourne storm supporters are always babbling on about the lack of media coverage.

RedB Willingly ,just as you are the ambassador of the Melbourne Storm,and when the Age actually admits there is a rugby league team operating in your fair city.

Crosscoder - re Steve Price - - remember, he's been up there in Sydney again now for about 5 odd years, if not more. A fair bit has happened in his absence. Amongst them a 24 hour dedicated sports talkback radio station. So - - he's a bit out of touch now. Believe me. That said, I was in Sydney and Gosford around the Swans winning GF back in 2005, i.e. drove up mid week, and back on the MOnday/Tuesday after. I bought all the papers as I was curious about the coverage. It was pretty good - I must say. As well as the comments on the radio. The subsequent TV ratings showed it to be justified. However, it took a GF (win) to achieve that. Storm has similar down here (although with 15 years less invested, and a GF appearance/win perhaps TOO soon in their history). THe coverage for the Storm has been pretty good in their GFs and they rated well too. Again - - it takes a GF to achieve that.

Crosscoder- You missed my point.You agreed there are areas in Vic that don’t have facilities of a decent standard.OK then another code just happens to move in and gets a large X amount,and the local people who use antiquated facilites,are going to applaud the move.Surely you jest. Actually - what we've done, is to change our name, and identify how to better connect with the community and become relevant moving forward rather than pat ourselves on the back for our 'history'. This is actually an important thing in Victoria - as the AFL has identified that there needs to be a better 'structure' through from auskick to junior clubs to senior clubs. There's too many disconnects. If that has occurred because of the hap hazard development over 150 years in a position of absolute strength, or, via a decade of so of the AFL paying greater attention north of Wagga???? At any rate - perhaps BECAUSE of greater 'competition' from other sports, first basketball, now soccer and RL - perhaps now because of that, people are willing to adapt and restructure for the future which otherwise might not happen. Just standing there whinging about it doesn't do anyone any good. And we've managed at least now to become engaged with an Auskick clinic moving to our ground, and an intellectually disabled footy club affiliating with us. We are now in a far, far stronger position than ever and have far greater confidence for the future. Now - all we need to do is work out some decent projects to get funding for. (drought proofing would be a good start!!!!)

MichaelC You missed my point.You agreed there are areas in Vic that don't have facilities of a decent standard.OK then another code just happens to move in and gets a large X amount,and the local people who use antiquated facilites,are going to applaud the move.Surely you jest. Codes should invest up north,down south,east or west.If they don't they are stagnating : a no brainer. Your interpretation of cosmopolitan is not mine.Sydney and NSW has had rl/ru/soccer and in places AFL.Local media and major city media give all a run.You can argue on the size of coverage.Steve Price an avid AFL fan admiited on 2UE ,the sydney media is more open on sport than the Mlbe press and he is not the only ex Vic to say so. It is not a case of my cosmopolitan attitude,it is the general perception. if you wish to give me a test for whatever reason:Carey,Kelly,Akermanis off my scone..You have been operating in NSW for over 100years,rl in melbourne for................Bad comparison. Your last line says it all ,in vic its been AFL and daylight second for the best part of over 100 years.

Crosscoder - believe me, juniors and clubs in Melbourne don't have grand spanking facilities necessarily. Most of those that do, have built them up over several generations. In the old days, it was easier to build on 'crown land'!! Councils seek to control all nowadays - - which means that projects have to be channelled through them. Perhaps your complaint in Sydney is similar to our complaint in Melbourne - - - for funding, you're far better off being a 'minority' ethnic/social/sporting group. And, of course, the AFL has invested heaps up North of Wagga. Wise or not? Perhaps it'll take 50 years to know for certain. SO - on the basis of your cosmopolitan attitude - how many NSW AFL/VFL products can you rattle off? In Vic, we have no one that we know of in the NRL to rattle off. ANd a relatively recently retired Wallaby. And Weary Dunlop. Actually, I do believe there were a few Aust Reps prior to WWII - - but, that's too far removed to be tested on I reckon.

MichaelC For heaven's sake man,I am not objecting to AFL going anywhere,my point and my point only is the use of State Govt money(ATM) a)because of poor facilities elsewhere B) because AFL will use it during the winter months whether it is used for cricket or not .c) because the 2nd major football code in terms of numbers rl,still have the same antiquated facilities. It wouldn't happen in Melbourne,if AFL juniors retained the same poor facilities in an area,when another code came in and secured the benefit of a large cash handout(when the govt is broke). It is indeed lovely for kids to play whatever code is available,I fortunately was able to try 3 football codes. AFL has been in NSW and Qld for over 100 years,they should have 80 players from those areas.You are in defensive mode ,who said AFL shouldn't be played in NSW and Qld.Not I.All my arguemnts have been on financials re the GC and WS and the use of govt monies,nothing to do with no code should play whatsoever. A couple of juniors (using a little licence )from AFL states playing rl,where development(Vic) has been going for 3 years in fact,and a dozen or so from WA and NT where development at the most 40 years. Who from the NRL is pushing for a new stadium in Perth and Adelaide.The code doesnt have teams there,Perth down the line,Adelaide 10 years away.Suggest you look at ru and soccer on that line. As to your last point the people of NSW and Qld will decide the values of any sportspeople ,coming from their individual states.As a matter of fact people in those states tend to be more cosmopolitan in their approach to all codes

Crosscoder - the $20 mill from the state govt included $5 mill for soccer pitches. The remaining $15 mill goes towards the cricket ovals (oh, yeah, to be used for Australian Football too - - actually the national under 16 carnival is slated to start sometime in June I think). btw - it's lovely that there's some kids from other states in the RL under 20 teams. You mention of this wonderful fact reminds me of this: For all the shortcomings of AFL in NSW and QLD, there's over 80 listed QLD and NSW lads at AFL clubs - - - for those who reckon AFL doesn't belong in NSW and QLD, but then spruik a couple of talented juniors from AFL states as evidence of NRL growth and that there should be a ripper new rectangle stadium in Perth and Adelaide etc etc.........it makes me wonder just what value some NSW & QLD people put upon those 80 fine young men who represent them (do we need an AFL NSW vs QLD SoO match to illustrate?)