Israel Folau of team GWS addresses the media at a press conference announcing the recruitment of Israel Falau to the GWS team at Blacktown Olympic Park in Sydney. Slattery Media
EXCLUSIVE: With the recent news of GWS signing Israel Folau, I must admit I am shocked and a bit angry at how much money he will be paid over the next four years. I think it is a fantastic move from the AFL hierarchy to lure another NRL star across to our code but the figures that have been thrown up in the media, if correct, are going to infuriate fellow players.
This is by no means Israel Folau’s fault. I reckon this guy is one of the most gifted athletes I have seen.
There is one play that no doubt sticks in everybody’s mind when talking about Folau, and that is the sensational mark he took in Origin and followed it up by placing it down for a try over his head.
He is blessed with an amazing leap, superior speed and the physical features that every player in the AFL would love to have.
That is the thing though, he has all of the physical attributes but I am most certainly sure he doesn’t have the technical attributes, at the moment, to make it as an AFL footballer.
Folau is going to struggle to switch codes and learn to kick an Australian Rules football, and from my understanding he has yet to try it.
The difference between him and Karmicahel Hunt is that Hunt played some form of AFL at an early age before turning to a career in the NRL.
Folau’s ability to hit pinpoint passes on the run when his fellow teammate has a metre on his opposition is going to be detrimental to his fellow teammates and his own confidence.
It is not an easy skill and one in which players struggle with today with the increased pressure in games now. It is going to take more than two years for him to be able to understand the mechanisms that go with playing Australian rules.
The other point I wanted to make is the financial position he is finding himself in.
I think it’s a joke the amount of money that he is going to be paid.
Most of it we understand is going to come from marketing appearances. He will earn an average salary but the AFL will fund his marketing appearances.
I can understand the AFL’s decision behind trying to use him as a marketing tool. But he is going to be trying to market a new team in an area that is riddled with NRL hungry supporters that will not give two hoots about AFL.
It is going to be a huge challenge for the AFL to pull this one off.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I am sure he also chose to play for Queensland over New South Wales as well which also makes it extremely hard. I respect the AFL’s decision entirely; it is the figure of money that is being speculated that hits a nerve with fellow players.
The general consensus amongst our playing group is that it is a fantastic idea to lure another sportsmen from a rival code. The money is the key issue at the moment.
We have guys on our list who have been playing football since they were seven years of age and who are earning $50,000 a year, which is still a significant amount of money for a 17 year old kid.
But that is ridiculed by what Folau will earn.
There are mature aged players who no doubt could make it AFL level who are running around in the VFL, SANFL and the WAFL that would dream to make that income.
It is an extremely tough situation that we are finding ourselves in at the moment.
The AFL has done a significant job in luring the stars across with maybe more to come. Now the challenge begins and one that I have no doubt everybody will cast a keen eye over.
Redb
Roar Guru
Troy's article has certainly been widely reported making both the AGE and SMH website as well as the huge Aussie Rules site Bigfooty. Luke Ball Collingwood midfielder has written a piece in todays AGE and comments: "We have seen players come from Ireland and make a great impression with their different skills and characteristics, and it is exciting to think clubs are now searching the world to introduce special talent to our game. It is also very exciting to think that two of the very best rugby league players in the country have decided to switch to Aussie rules. Let's put all the cynicism and squabbling about the financial aspect aside and support and encourage these blokes to pursue their aspiration to become elite players in our code." http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/globalisation-of-our-code-can-only-make-us-better-20100608-xtnl.html Luke Ball is a Board member of the AFL Players Assoc. I would not assume all AFL players think the same way about this situation.
Redb
Roar Guru
The AFL's future investment in the game in NSW is something like $80M to grass roots including Auskick.
Adam
Guest
Ah an article straight from the people most affected by this signing. There is only a few people winning through the deals made to Hunt and Folau. The players, coaches and fans of both the NRL and AFL are not winners. It appears to me that the only winners from this whole situation are those in power in the AFL who stand to benefit financially further down the track from this situation, sure it may bring more money to the game but will that money be taken down to grass roots aussie rules and Auskick, something is telling me no.
bazza
Guest
Troy If I knew he you were I your signing for GWS would have been big news to me. Unfortunately I have never heard of you
Michael
Guest
No need to watch it again. I already did once and wanted to knock out the lying bastard. Superb? I realise that some think a response of "umm, ummm ummm, *stares blankly in the air* "I've got more substance than that"" umm, ummm "What will you do when you get asked to go into schools and tell kids to reject League and play AFL" "oh umm, ummm, its not about that, its about the opportunity" That's superb?...wow your standards are very low.
Michael
Guest
I read the CBA Baz, did you? No need to be aggressive but mate. Next time don't let your husband take your tampons.
Akazie
Roar Rookie
Red, you're kidding aren't you? There are more AFL fans on this site than fans of other sports, you'll spin anything.
Redb
Guest
Dogs, As AFL fans are in the minority on this site and noting the ongoing antipathy towards everything the AFL does, it might seem strange for AFL fans to defend the game. I mean what will keep the kids safe from the evil AFL. ;-)
Baz35
Guest
Michael, my concern was for your rubbish post which was full off complete furphies
Doug Semys
Guest
Troy, thanks for offering us your insight, a brave move, however, I think it, Folaus' signing, is probably more of a marketing ploy between Sheedy and the AFL than masterful signing of a potential top AFL player. Time will tell what it is, in the meantime you can practice your skills to show him what he lacks when you meet him on the field, I am looking forward to this in anticipation.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
No it doesn't, because your hardly critical of the AFL when your constantly defending there position against attacks on the code?
cookin
Guest
When all is said and done...when the hoopla dies down and the smokescreen has eroded , we are essentially left with what we have today....AFL.. a game that has not captured the hearts and minds of Sydneysiders since it arrived...apart from the same 30 or 40 thousand who attend week in week out...the fact that Swans games continue to be outrated on tv by the iron Chef on SBS speaks volumes.. we will all tune in for round 1 and perhaps round 2.. then it will be back to supporting our NRL teams..
pike64
Guest
The NRL has already got heaps of great wingers and full backs . AFL players are generally too skinny for most other positions and don't have the Rugby League Infused brain to be half backs.
The Mad Chatter
Roar Rookie
There is no doubting that the AFL's decision to lob massive amounts of cash at NRL players Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau will continue to divide the Australian sporting community. This divide will only stop when it becomes clear whether these blokes are worth the price the AFL paid. They are talented rugby league players but are they good enough to make it at the elite level in another sport??? Time will tell all................ The AFL thinks buying these players is a really big deal. The reality is that as soon as these players leave the NRL another player will take their spot and it will be on with the game. Remember when Sonny Bill Williams left rugby league for rugby union in France? The News Limited newspapers would not let it go and it felt like league was over......Well since then there has been great Origin series, great grand finals and great moments. The game clearly went on. If you want my opinion, it isn't the AFL that will ruin rugby league. It's rugby league players and their stupidity. Think about the Cronulla Sharks fiasco, the Manly pre-season launch disaster, the Newcastle drug bust........not the AFL's fault on these recent occassions!!! Cheers The Mad Chatter http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mad-Chatter/14597098110
Redb
Guest
Gob bluth, I guess neither are yours and others. I criticise the AFL rule changes but that doesn't count I bet.
Gob Bluth
Guest
Just loses its impact when you "accept the logic" of every single decision coming out of AFL HQ. Your comments are rarely surprising RedB.
JamesP
Guest
Ditto to Roy Masters, Paul Kent, Phil Rothfield.....
JamesP
Guest
Here is the link to show - watch it again...K Hunt was superb http://au.tv.yahoo.com/plus7/the-matty-johns-show/
Barry
Guest
Despite Roos comments in the SMH, a lot of people will be expecting them to be super stars straight away both on and off the field however unfortunate. Even if only OK, the AFL will continue to receive a lot of criticism for a long time to come. Unless they turn out to be super stars on the field, and make the game super popular in NSW, they will always be seen to be a waste of money - and it will be harder for the AFL to take the risk again, however misinformed this opinion might be. I think the NRL and their fans will take every opportunity to laugh at the AFL, even if the players are half-decent!
Harvey the Scouser
Roar Guru
sooner or later my presence on this forum was going to result in big things