On the ABC’s Offsiders last Sunday, Herald journalist Roy Masters declared from a sporting worship perspective that all western Sydney needs is the Panthers, Eels and Tigers.
Apparently the second A League, team, second AFL team and additional Super rugby club franchise are not needed in Sydney’s western suburbs.
I wonder what a mock trial of Master’s journalistic standards would show? Perhaps the climatic scenes in the movie ‘A Few Good Men’ might illuminate.
Under our mock trial scene, Masters is charged with football code vilification for his rants against Australian Rules Football and his influence on two young cadet journalists who work at the SMH who were caught burning Aussie Rules posts to the ground in Western Sydney.
A concurrent second charge is based on journalistic standards where the written word has been abused and deemed full of bias, prejudice and bigotry.
We pick up the trial near the end, after the weight of damning evidence has been presented in the form of countless column inches devoted to anti-Aussie Rules paranoia.
Ben Buckley, former AFL player and administrator, now FFA CEO, is our impartial lawyer for the defence of the two naïve cadets, with John O’Neill assisting.
Buckley hammers away at Masters:
BUCKLEY
Are you a rugby league bigot?
MASTERS
You want answers?
BUCKLEY
I think I’m entitled to them.
MASTERS
You want answers?!
BUCKLEY
I want the truth.
MASTERS
You can’t handle the truth!
MASTERS
Son, we live in a world that has sports. And those sports have to be played by men with balls. Who’s gonna play it? You? You,
O’Neill ? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Garry Ablett and you curse the Storm. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Ablett’s injury, while tragic, probably saved Storm’s TV ratings. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves rugby league.
You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at parties, you know you prefer rugby league.
We use words like try, tackle, chicken wing. We use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use ’em as a punchline.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a game who kicks goals under the guise of a sport, then question my journalistic standards.
I’d prefer you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a Steeden and play a real sport. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you’re entitled to.
BUCKLEY
Are you a rugby league bigot?
MASTERS
I did the job I was born to do.
BUCKLEY
Are you a rugby league bigot?
MASTERS
You’re goddamn right I am.
As Masters is led away, his wife handballs him a Sherrin and is heard to say: “sleep with that, i’s all you’ve wanted to ‘blank’ lately anyway.”
Redb
Roar Guru
Roy Masters is dead scared of the AFL. Its why he keeps potting the code still in 2011.
Redb
Roar Guru
Hows this for more anti AFL drivel from Roy Masters... http://www.smh.com.au/business/soccer-bumps-afl-for-asian-sponsors-20100406-rpig.html Which spnosrs are you talking about Roy?
Redb
Roar Guru
Roy Masters crying in his beer. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/an-independent-commission-is-not-the-answer-for-rugby-league-20091203-k8su.html Just to cut to the chase the supposed journo and rugby league bigot has come out finally and admitted his bias: "Once more I am being told to go sit in the rocking chair by the window, sip a cup of warm milk, nibble an Arrowroot biscuit and keep my nose out of the game I love." Don't choke. :-)
macavity
Guest
comedians everywere I see and the response if I had said "the undue influence of fortress Melbourne has to be broken - for the sake of the poor souls for whom their only football options are either to never use their hands, or, to prance about like dying swans……no wonder people are a little fearful of a code that provides modern gladatorial combat" Sydney has access to AFL - heard of the Swans (apt)? There just isn't much interest beyond the small hardcore following.
Michael C
Guest
macavity - the undue influence of fortress Sydney has to be broken - for the sake of the poor souls for whom their only football options are either to never use their hands, or, to almost never KICK the ball......no wonder people are a little fearful of a code that provides both.
macavity
Guest
we dont want you mexicans here anyway we like it how it is :) you are very observant, RedB. Newcastle is indeed not in western Sydney. But the demographics (and supreme strength of RL and soccer) are similar - this is my point. Im envious - I wish RL's admin had the fortitude to expand - FFS we have areas crying out for teams and the NRL aren't interested - our CEO's KPIs seem to include talking down our game and talking up other codes.
Redb
Roar Guru
That's on the money. Newcastle, really Gosford to Ballina would be the weakest support area for Aussie Rules in the country. It's a black hole, so its amazing that a comp has been able to survive for 120 years. Newcastle is not in western Sydney either. Redb
The 1 and Only Master
Guest
I think you will find that the Black Diamond Cup hasn't run uninterrupted since 1883, even though I did lift the trophy myself back in 89" as a student in Newie. Newcastle isn't really on the must places to migrate to from Southerners so Australian Football will never grow in the area.. NRL and Soccer own the Hunter I agree. It would be about the last place in the world the AFL would be concentrating on anyway. The fact that any Australian Rules is played in the region is testament to the games popularity nationally.
macavity
Guest
Comprehension not your strong point I see. I am well aware of where the Black Diamond Cup is based - I live in Newcastle - exactly the point. The Hawks are one of the dominant clubs in the comp - been around 40 years plus - and still have trouble paying a peppercorn rent. I was merely demonstrating my point (and yours it would seem) - that AFL has a long long way to go in NSW. IMO it won't be a generational thing, try a century or so if Newcastle (similar demographic to West Syd, but much nicer place) is any indication. The Black Diamond Cup has been around since 1883 (yes, 1883!) and still exists solely due to the efforts of ex-pat southerners and their kids. Perhaps you mexicans are planning to breed and emigrate like, well, mexicans, I dont know. I go watch a mate play for the Warners Bay Bulldogs occasionally (contrary to your assertion, I dont hate any sport, but feel free to continue your assertions) and it is very much a struggling amateur pursuit - I can appreciate their dedication, but the point I am making is they have converted very very few of the locals, and have had over 130 years to do so. I like it here thanks redb, so far everyone except you seems open minded and reasonable. FTR I don't think the "world" is against RL, just News Ltd and certain "journalists", and the peons who swallow their garbage.
Michael C
Guest
Macavity - I think you'll find that every actual comment from AFL fans is of severe doubt about the wisdom of West Sydney (at least in the short/medium term), and every AFL official has stated that they are under no illusions of the size of the task at hand - but, feel it's a long term responsibility to have a go. But, go on - - if you wish to believe that all AFL people believe Sydneysiders will just fall in love with the game, then fine. (actually, that was the line perhaps not so well chosen by Fed minister for trade, Simon Crean, speaking of footy in China).
Millster
Guest
Haha ;-)
El Capitan
Guest
Here here Redb.
Redb
Roar Guru
The Black Diamond AFL is north of Sydney and covers an area of more than 150 lineal kms from Woy Woy in the South to Nelson Bay in the north. The Singleton Club is 40 minutes drive west of Newcastle. Most clubs are located around the Newcastle and Central Coast areas, approximately one-two hours drive north of Sydney, check out the map below.
Redb
Roar Guru
your demonstrating the exact hate pathogens towards AFL that you have accused me of, how hypocritical. Do you and your mates in league forums share these photos to keep you safe at night? My understanding is the Black Diamond League is that it is not based in western Sydney anyway. Further I think you should read my article on western Sydney to see your barking up the wrong tree, i have no illusions about the AFL in western Sydney, but were at the start of the journey not the end. http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/05/05/afl-western-sydney-vietnam-gallipoli-or-kokoda-take-your-pick/ Finally, you better get used to fans from other codes commenting on your sport of choice on the Roar. If you can't hack it perhaps your best suited elsewhere. Remain civil, debate with an open mind and perhaps you may learn the whole world is not against rugby league. My mate Roy Masters has done a prime job hasn't he. Redb
macavity
Guest
too easy.... I will always think of you when I drive past this: http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=-32.930044,151.643877&spn=0.001625,0.002382&t=h&z=19 former home of the Cardiff Hawks, one of the few AFL clubs in the nation's oldest AFL comp (the Black Diamond Cup). they were locked out and their club house was demolished by state rail (the landlord) a few years ago, as the club couldn't afford to pay for the upkeep. not a good news story - but indicative of the small fry status of AFL in NSW & QLD that you Victorian types don't like to acknowlege.
Redb
Roar Guru
you want some attention, Ok I throw you a bone. Google Bruce Purser Reserve. Roy and his cronies haven't been able to get to these as yet. Redb
macavity
Guest
funniest bit of that article is the assumption that aussie rules goals can be found in western sydney!
Michael C
Guest
Interesting today - was reminded by Eddie McGuire in respect to Andrew Demetriou indicating that the AFL had nothing to do with Grant Thomas sacking, and were happy to accept criticism etc - that Eddie wondered what Jeff Kennett thought (although Kennett was speaking in his capacity as a club president at the time). Anyway, examples of Mike Sheehan and Patrick Smith and other media members on various selection and voting panels such as for Hall of Fame etc - - means there's a few out there with a more than casual interest in maintaining good relations with city hall. Redb - Roy Masters can get away with it because it's 'opinion'. Opinion pieces don't need to hide behind facts. If he had that burdon, he'd be knackered.
Redb
Roar Guru
BigAl, We must work in the same building :-) JimC, others, The difference in my book is the amount of energy expressed in column inches towards denigrating the AFL and attempting to make it look like the big bad monster here to take away your children. I accept all journos from time to time will have a go at other sports and the AFL is not above criticism but Roy Masters went on trial becuase he clearly has an agenda and I'm calling him out as a RL bigot, you can't be a good sports journalist at the same time. This is not an idle claim of mine, I actually met his wife Elaine Canty (former AFL tribunal) at a conference a couple of years ago and asked her the question as to why Roy is so anti AFL. Her response was that he loves his rugby league, is very close to the Melb Storm, his only postive about AFL is he think they are good athletes, she really didnt fully understand the source of the angst though. Since that time he has got worse and some of his tirades are just baseless dribble in need of a good sub editor. Redb
Frank
Guest
the Western Suburbs of Sydney is tribal and parochial. Numbers of players at junior level doesn't support and AFL team. Perhaps the best bet for a well organised grass roots level campaign is football (soccer) as they have high participation rates. However, they would need a strong school grass-roots campaign as per Central Coast Mariners to have a chance. Other than that, I don't see much empirically wrong with Roy's argument....