It has taken a few weeks but I can no longer hold my tongue. How can the Israel Folau experiment be considered a success?
News Limited ran a story following his departure with the headline, “Israel Folau worth every cent for AFL”. But how is that possible?
The only success he had in the sport was found in his bank account and an improved financial portfolio.
Furthermore, the established superstars of the AFL, such as Chris Judd, Adam Goodes and Dane Swan, cannot be happy with Folau’s pay packet.
Whilst no one would admit it publicly, I can’t imagine they would feel comfortable with some league coming in and commanding a wage on par with or exceeding theirs.
People will say the exposure he got the Giants make him worth the $2 million he received for his two years. Essentially, he was on a salary of $1 million per season to do a public relations job. To be honest, I am somewhat jealous.
Greater Western Sydney had the lowest home crowd average attendance figures for a first-season club in modern times.
Gold Coast had an average of 19,169 in 2011 and back in 1997 Port Adelaide drew in an average of 35,829. They didn’t have anyone like Israel Folau in their squads.
Sure, there is the argument Karmichael Hunt was purchased for the same reason as Folau.
However, Hunt was a positive contributor on the field for the Suns in 2012 and Folau looked lost, confused and at times disinterested throughout this season.
It cannot be a positive thing for marketing purposes that Folau pocketed so much money to be a sideshow, especially considering he gave up on the game so early.
The AFL hoped to attract young Polynesian boys into playing the game, but when they see an idol like Folau fail so dismally on the field, it in fact makes them less likely to play the game.
Why would they leave the games the power games they’ve always played, like league and union, for something unfamiliar where their physical prowess would not be so pronounced?
Israel’s foray into AFL would not have drawn in any new talent and his departure takes away the one name the people of Western Sydney recognise on the Giants roster.
His decision to take the easy money and bolt will hurt the AFL’s new expansion club more than anyone involved will let on.
Bondy.
Guest
What did he do bar fill he's pockets with the green stuff.
TC
Guest
So is this still the AFL's greatest ever embarassment? With each passing day, it's looking like the best $2 million the AFL ever spent. TC
Confucius
Guest
PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE WESTERN SUBURBS DONT HAVE WEEKEND COMPS AS FAR AS i KNOW...
Brewski
Roar Rookie
@ TC, it is a logical step for football in Sydney, a couple of hours down the road in Canberra, top private schools such as St Eddies and Marist have always had Australian Football clubs, as well as at times Canberra Grammar, the strength has always ebbed and flowed of these Clubs, actually at one stage St Eddies had a old boys team in a lower ACTAFL division. People in the know are saying this is a really massive step, although, this will not really help the Giants,with most of these kids zoned to the Swans, it may actually create quite a cultural difference between the clubs, and lead to a real derby......... white collar/blue collar.
fred gallop
Guest
Related but important news. The TV football viewer figures for 2012 have been released and AFL leads with 123m, NRL 113 m, Super 15 8m, A-League 9.5m. Interestingly the final 2011 figures show the AFL just in front of the NRL whereas the NRL people were going around saying the NRL outrated the AFL. Rugby is down after the reds had a quieter year. This maybe the first time soccer is in front of Rugby but of course soccer is up against much less competition in the summer and has 5 local sides compared to 8 A league sides in 2012. AFL was up 9% - perhaps they were all watching Folau...
clipper
Guest
TW - all those schools you mentioned are private schools and 4 are in the east, 1 in the north and Strathfield is quite an affluent suburb, so unfortunately none out in the GWS area, which will struggle to get schools to put teams in, which is a pity as all schools should have a wide range of sports.
TC
Guest
That's a really interesting link. So that school has not yet decided to take part, but they speak about the program very positively. TC
Brewski
Roar Rookie
@ TW, you may find this interesting ....page 2 http://www.staloysius.nsw.edu.au/newsletter/2012/2012_32.pdf
TW
Guest
Here we go again folks - These are the 2012 average crowd figures for GWS in their W Sydney area and Canberra W Sydney -12907 - First season figures Canberra - 8430 Ditto The equivalent NRL figures W Sydney - 16923 - The well entrenched code of over 100 years. Canberra - 10189 - Entrenched code of over 30 years with the Raiders. We know that Canberra is a limited market anyhow sizewise but we have to be there to offer the fans top class Aussie Rules. We will increase our presence there but it will be limited. They have done ok to get the above average. The same does not apply to WS which will be a much larger market. How big will the GWS club get - Nobody knows including the NRL naysayers on here. They (GWS) have established a toehold in a competitive market. AFL NSW has just opened the door for our game to be played in the Sydney Public School Network after trying for many years. Four CAS, One GPS and One ISA schools have initially signed up for a 2013 Sat Morning Comp for Year 5/6 and 7/8. Other schools in the Network are still making their minds up but it is hoped they will accept the proposal. This is a big breakthrough and if it goes ok it should expand in 2014. Thanks to Brewski for finding this school info. Schools on list so far -Waverley, Trinity, Knox, Cranbrook, St Ignatius, St Pats Strathfield. We already had a presence in a couple of the schools mentioned. The crowd figures from another Web Site.
jumpingjacques
Guest
andyincanberra said "I would say the fact that the there is still a conversation involving the GWS Giants in the second half of November should be counted as a success on some level." - Andy, how many people in Sydney do you reckon are having a conversation about GWS Giants? Or are they talking about where and whether Izzy Folau will play next season...read the Telegraph and get back to me...
bryan
Guest
Haven't you guys ever left one job to take up another which seems better,only to say to yourself: "Oh s----t! why the hell did I leave the old job?" Most times you carry on,& all is eventually well,but sometimes it doesn't get any better,no matter how hard you try. I think Izzy was in that position---------OK,he was being paid a lot of money,but if you just don't feel you are going to make it,it is maybe time to give up. Anyway,is he going to the Eels or not? I watched the Eels demolish the Western Reds at the WACA ground back in the day (free tickets),& have had a sneaking respect for them ever since.
Titus
Guest
yeah, heaps easier than running with a ball in your hands.
Redb
Roar Guru
kicking a ball along the ground is one of the easiest skills thats why so many young kids play soccer.
Steve
Guest
75% of Giants fans who bought a Giants Guernsey brought the one with Folau's number 4 on the back of it so that must have helped make it all worth while.
TC
Guest
Izzy was (and maybe still is) the youngest to ever represent Qld at SOO and play for the Kangaroos, which surely warrants a bit of respect. Catching and running might seem simple enough (if you're doing it on your own in the backyard), but when you have to do it under extreme physical pressure, well, it goes up a few notches. It's not for everyone, that's for sure - otherwise we'd all be putting our hand up to earn half a mill per annum. TC
Bondy.
Guest
I did say minimal skills,not a non skilled sports completely.
Redb
Roar Guru
Listen here Beckham cheerleader why dont go back to your celebrity bling comp. Will you wear a dress to the next SFC game? :) I cant speak for NRL, but AFL at the top level requires condiserable skill and courage.
oikee
Guest
??? The guy played Origin, are you trying to say anyone can play Origin. ? Dont drop the ball, hate to see you booed outta the park. The skills and discipline are second to none in Origin. Lets not kid ourselves, on the biggest stage in Australia. The guy marked a ball above his head and grounded the thing with the pressure of Origin on him. Do you even realise the size and power of this man. Just because he cant chase a ball around on a AFL field does not mean he has no skills. The guy is a freak, he will become a freak again when he comes home. He is polynesian, made for the rugby codes, his bone density is bigger than normal humans, his power comes from his size, holding weight on is what island boys are known for, trying to strip him of his strength was a mistake, it is like cutting Samson's hair. Not many players have the skills of a Falou or Inglis for that matter. Next you will be trying to tell us he(inglis)has no skills, ? Or even Buddy the Hawks bloke, even i can see he is skillful, he should be playing league on the world stage. He is too skillful for AFL. :) ??
oikee
Guest
Converted. I never mentioned converted. All i said is that rugby league has yet to expand into the southern states, now we can grow the game. Nobody is trying to convert anyone. It might only be 5 development officers. 200 is nation wide. Still, if you do the sums league has plenty of scoop for growth. Dont knock us, join us.
clipper
Guest
We shall see, oikee - all I have done is state what has happened, not what I hope is going to happen. AFL also got over 1 billion, had many development officers, yet haven't made a huge impact in the heart of league (the outer west) and yet you say everyone in the heart of AFL is going to be miraculously converted?