- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Earlier this month, there was speculation over the future of Sydney Swans midfielder, Kieren Jack. Jack’s father, league legend Garry Jack, was fuelling gossip that his son would convert to NRL when his AFL contract with the Swans expired.
This rumour was put to bed by Kieren, but it got me thinking. With all this talk of NRL players switching to AFL, hypothetically, which AFL players do you think could make it in NRL?
In recent times it started with rugby league players switching codes to play union. The allure of being a champion footballer in more than one code (along with the attractive pay increase) was not just a pipe dream. Wendell Sailor, Ryan Cross, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuquiri were testament to this.
But it seems players wanted a bigger challenge (and again, perhaps a bigger pay packet).
And so there was Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau. They have made the ultimate leap across to the AFL, and in turn, made the league to union code switches seem insignificant in comparison.
The jury’s still out on how these league superstars will perform in the AFL, but they can take some inspiration from the Sydney Swans’ Mike Pyke, a former Canadian rugby union international, who has made the transition a successful one.
So what will happen next? Will AFL players be next to partake in this era of code switching?
With Garry Jack speculating on this very topic, in regards to his son Kieren, maybe it wouldn’t be such a surprise if AFL players were next to be drawn into the allure of being a footy star in more than one code.
With his small size and quick feet, Jack could certainly make it in the halves, and as his father confirmed, his accuracy with the kick would be an advantage.
Kieren Jack played NRL until his teens, so he does understand the ins and outs of the game. Sound familiar?
Last year, Geelong hard man Max Rooke told of his fondness for league and that he too had considered converting from AFL to NRL.
The style of Rooke and Jack’s football, particularly in their ‘no fear’ attitude and tackling ability, definitely display some league potential.
But to do a ‘reverse Israel Folau’ – a term I certainly hope doesn’t catch on – isn’t easy.
With the debate well and truly still going on the different skill sets involved in the two codes, would it be harder for an NRL player to move to AFL, or for an AFL player to convert to NRL?
I would assume the latter when it comes to the style of play, with NRL being a lot more structured than AFL.
However for an AFL player to make it in NRL, the physique would have to be one of the biggest adjustments.
Just like Karmichael and Israel will have to lose their bulk, particularly in the legs, an AFL player converting to NRL would need to do the exact opposite and gain some muscle on their shoulders and legs, and their core strength would definitely have to be built on.
NRL has big hits. Not just bumps, but BIG HITS.
The hits in NRL are front on, with (at least) two men running straight at each other, causing an impact that has been compared to being hit at full speed by a refrigerator.
I’m not discounting the intensity of AFL, but in the NRL there are some massive guys who want nothing more than to see you put flat on your back.
And there’s no protection of a shepherding player in NRL. You can also expect your fair share of grapple tackles, and head high contact that doesn’t get awarded a penalty.
So considering this and assuming an Aussie Rules player could easily adjust to a totally different game – passing backwards, staying behind the kicker and other offside rules – which AFL players would cut it in NRL?
Exiting Brisbane Lion, Jared Brennan, has a ‘don’t argue’ palm that he liberally uses in each game and it has league written all over it. Not to mention his one handed ball carrying, that so many league players do.
Or what about the Western Bulldogs forward, Barry Hall? Big Bad Barry Hall as a prop is not hard to imagine. With his large frame and aggressive nature I’ve no doubt he’d make the grade.
I don’t think Fevola would find it hard to fit in with the NRL crowd either. On and off the field.
Port Adelaide magician Daniel Motlop, has some serious skill with the kick, and his tackling isn’t too bad either. He’d make a great addition to any league team as a halfback or five-eighth.
Collingwood’s Dale Thomas could be good if he gave league a go too. His versatility can’t be ignored. That kid can do it all. He’d be a good fullback or winger without a doubt.
The benefits for NRL would be great if this were to really happen. But with the NRL’s salary cap unlikely to improve any time soon, there’s no way they can compete with the lucrative money offered in AFL. And thus the question I pose remains hypothetical.
But hey, you never know.
But what do you think? Which AFL player could make the switch to NRL?
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.