The success of several cross-code superstars has proven that the borders that used to divide our sports are no longer watertight.
Moves between the two rugby codes have been happening for as long as any of us can remember, but recent examples show that our athletes are looking further abroad than the most obvious options in terms of their next opportunity.
Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau raised eyebrows with their moves to AFL, and experienced differing levels of success. Anthony Mundine opened a door to pugilism that Sonny Bill Williams and Quade Cooper, and to some extent Paul Gallen, have taken a peak through.
It remains to be seen how much time and effort these footballers dedicate to the fight game in the coming years, but there is no doubt that each has been tempted by the idea of a serious tilt in the ring.
Now, of course, Jarryd Hayne is attempting to pull off the most audacious cross-code switch we have seen in this country – fighting for an opportunity to ply his trade in the NFL.
While our national sporting administrators lose sleep over how to retain their marquee players, it is interesting to consider what other possibilities exist for athletes looking for a change of scenery. While internal development will continue to be the most reliable method of harvesting players, CEOs will no doubt also be looking over the fence to see what they might be able to pinch from their neighbours.
I’ve often wondered if soccer bosses ever considered offering a young Folau, Greg Inglis or Nic Naitanui the chance to try their hand at goalkeeping. The athleticism they possess would be ideal for keeping, and while there is undoubtedly a game-sense they would need to acquire, you can’t possibly argue that this is a bigger leap than the one Hayne is attempting.
Short-term sabbaticals are becoming more popular, and the lure of the Olympics track may be enough to convince the likes of James Roberts or Marika Koroibete to take a year or two off to try their luck. The return of Will Hopoate proves that a comeback to your sport of origin is not difficult, and as the Tigers’ recruitment of Darren Clark showed, clubs love the idea of having an Olympic sprinter on the wing.
The kilometres that AFL players cover at training and in games would be ideal to help uncover a few outstanding middle-to-long distance runners, and they wouldn’t be hampered by the level of technical adjustment that sprinters would be subjected to.
But why stop there? Maybe gorgeous Georgie Rose could try his hand at shot put, Jacob Lillyman could line up for the clean and jerk, and surely Cameron Smith is made for some Greco-Roman wrestling. Granted, age would count against most of these guys, but younger examples are dotted all over our football codes, and while there may not be the lure of easy, fast money from these events, surely some would be tempted by the prospect of adding ‘Olympian’ to their CV. The post-retirement opportunities would expand exponentially overnight if they were successful.
The challenge for fans and administrators will be to embrace this new phenomenon. Arguing for loyalty in the face of opportunity doesn’t carry the weight it used to, and will be futile in many cases. This is the world of the modern sportsperson, and the opportunities to promote our athletes around the world should far outweigh any misgivings about short-term losses to the games we love.
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