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The Australian domestic code war is an issue constantly thrown around by the Australian sports media. With each new club the AFL opens in traditional NRL territories, the more fans, and children have the option to switch allegiances.
The AFL wins in memberships, crowd attendances, and national reach. The NRL wins in the international game, and by having State of Origin.
The recent television rights deals showed there is not much to split between the two in terms of what broadcasters are willing to pay. But this year there was something missing in the NRL.
Crowds were down, ratings were down, and there is no longer that feeling of hope that came with the arrival of the independent commission.
All the while the AFL continued to march on and thrive.
Maybe the consolidation of being the number two code in the country is what the NRL should be concentrating on.
Strengthening the product should be the NRL commission’s number one objective.
The appointment of Graeme Samuel, former honcho at the AFL and responsible for some of the expansion and mergers of the AFL in the 1990s is a step in the right direction.
As much as we love to think that loyalty exists in sport, there is increasingly little evidence to support it.
Players talk about a new ‘challenge’ or new beginning but at the end of the day, their paycheck has a large amount of pull in deciding where they work each year.
There is one thing that puts bums on seats and eyes on screens, and that is seeing a superstar do what he does best. A Greg Inglis, Sonny Bill Williams, or Billy Slater is a player that every team craves.
It was only a handful of years ago that people chastised the great Money Bill for being a trader and there were calls for him to never return to the game.
But look what he has done for the Roosters. They have had one of their biggest years ever, on and off the field and most importantly, they have won a premiership.
The introduction of a marquee player allowance is a no brainer.
Every club should have the opportunity to break the bank for one superstar player.
The one who can turn their club around on and off the field. Israel Folau, Karmichael Hunt, Sonny Bill. These were all league players and big names that got people and money into their team.
In the future, these types of players should never be allowed to leave.
A club should have one player completely exempt from the cap, with securities in place to ensure this allowance is not manipulated.
The NRL does recognise this and there will be some changes in the next few years – the gradual increase of the salary cap and the introduction of a partial marquee player allowance will help.
If the NRL wants to grow it needs to act now.
Sydney has too many teams. At least one club either has to leave or relocate and based on crowds I would think Penrith would be up there as a candidate, as well as the Sharks.
The NRL could have to look at how the AFL did this in 1990s as an example.
Two new clubs need to enter the competition to strengthen and widen its scope.
I believe New Zealand would be the most strategic, as it would increase its presence in New Zealand and potentially strengthen the international competition.
The next most logical would be Perth and a fourth and final team in Queensland.
The NRL suffers from a lack of foresight.
The AFL is the number one code in this country and largely because it has been run properly.
Everything about the AFL screams professionalism and the NRL has always seemed like its poorer cousin.
The commission needs to put words into action.
We as fans and followers of the game continuously hear talk, talk of expansion, talk of our ‘war chest’, talk of a record breaking television deal, but we don’t actually see any change.
2013 has been a forgettable year as far as statistics and numbers go.
The jewel in the crown, State of Origin, continues to break records but brings about a huge problem in scheduling and the quality of competition. I have not heard one suggestion that I like.
Origin needs to stay on Wednesdays, it adds to its ‘event’ feel but at the same time clubs and players needs longer gaps to ensure club fairness.
Having weekends before State of Origin scheduled as international fixtures is one idea that makes sense. It would help the international game.
Teams like New Zealand, England, France, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, could all have friendlies played and it could bring some coverage and experience to non-NRL players.
The NRL is years behind the AFL in crowds, memberships, and administration. The AFL will always be strengthened by the fact that Aussie Rules is the one truly unique Australian sport.
It is the one tourists ask about and the one that can be recognised globally on television as our game.
Super Rugby suffers from having multiple time zones and domestic cricket is overshadowed by its international game.
Football may be the biggest threat to number two. The A-League is entering a period of growth and only time will tell how big it can get.
Maybe the NRL will never be the number one code in this country. But there are two days on the Australian sporting calendar that every Australian sports fan has an interest in – the AFL and NRL grand finals, and if it can stay that way then there is nothing to worry about.
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