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.
Russell Johnson
Guest
There are two stories here: one about people changing sports and another about no one cares if they did! The lack of interest shown by the quantity and the tone of the posts is a dead give away. If a player wants to "challenge himself" somewhere else after I glaze over I forget about him altogether. If a player is happy to be a pawn in what is quite clearly one sport's marketing war against ours he's welcome to them and they to him! I have too many stars and skilful athletes in our game to worry about one minnow lost!
c
Guest
i am glad you are only suggested goalkeeping for the rugby boys
BigAl
Guest
I take this to be a joke article, and from the responses everyone else does too ! All joking aside, as sport becomes more professional both from the time and effort required and from the financial returns available, "Code switches" will diminish drastically.
Perry Bridge
Guest
The thing that interests me is that the AFL has developed a program of code conversion - and unlike RU and RL it isn't a fairly similar glove to slip on - there really aren't any clean conversions into the AFL even from Gaelic football. However - especially due to the pressures of having to continually re-invent either with large migration to Australia and seeking growth in 'foreign territories' such as Sydney and Brisbane - it means the AFL has to be able to coach players based on often non-Aust Football backgrounds and they do pretty well to the 2nd tier down (even Folau did okay in the NEAFL). The elite level (being the AFL) is another story and exposed K.Hunt's fitness. The AFL mix of skills and fitness requirements is fairly broad - in that even when the skills are okay, it's hard to carry 'fitness' passengers in a team. And players lacking in skill struggle to last - as there aren't many 'specialist' positions, although Mike Pyke is an example of the capacity of a player to learn to be a more than capable ruckman (one of the last 'specialist' roles) but even he invariably would dish off handballs rather than kick (it's not just the skill execution but also the decision making). So - why then, do we not see these all-round athletes move sideways into other sports? Does the NRL or ARU not think that an AFL player with his fitness and all round ball skills couldn't bulk up over summer and be more than useful in a particular role or two? Of interest is an article from November 2014 about former Brisbane/Port player Scott Harding and his venture over at the Uni of Hawaii and playing College Football. http://grantland.com/the-triangle/scott-harding-hawaii-warriors-punter/ Described as "the Most Interesting Man in College Football" (and in a good way). The author get's a little confused at times and drops 'Rugby' in when describing the kicks. AT any rate - the all round skills and attributes of Harding look to be setting him apart in a positive way. "it’s another reason why Harding might be the most versatile and valuable football player on any team in the 50 states" Unlike the ex-AFL successes in the NFL - Harding isn't purely a punter. He's highly rated as wide-receiver. Punt returner too. Good luck to Jarrod Hayne and his try outs with the NFL. Clearly the stop start nature of the NFL means that his fitness shouldn't be an issue. I'm not sure how good his general ball skills are outside of the NRL relatively narrow required skillset.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Was going to say he could do the Sydney to Hobart, but he'd have to let Corey Parker take over as Captain.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Thaiday would be good at WWE, third girl in hitting a man over the head with a chair while he's not looking.
Claude
Guest
Folau and Hunt wouldn't have got a game at an established AFL club but they did OK but their were the wrong body type although Folau may have developed into a full forward or key defence but they couldn't pay him loads for the 4 years while he developed..The games are so different now - some RU players in the past failed at RL and others became dual internationals - depends on desire, age, body type, injury, step in training coping etc..
Kirk
Guest
Mundine is also a natural showman and loud mouth to boot. His personality fit boxing pretty well...
peeeko
Roar Guru
not sure about viewer numbers, its just something the media loves to report that mystifies a lot of sports lovers
Steve
Guest
Maggie Alphonsi the England rugby women's captain is retiring from rugby to take up shot put I think. Heather Moyse the Canadian wind a rugby player won gold at the Winter Olympics in bobsleigh. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Cam Stokes
Roar Pro
If it is so regular and common place, then why are code switches still the biggest story to hit sports whenever they happen? They are fascinating to watch, both the good and the bad. The success or otherwise of the switch doesn't make it any less absorbing to watch, and viewer numbers and media reports would support this. I absolutely agree that it is harder now than it was in the amateur days, which makes it all the more interesting that guys that are on huge, guaranteed money are willing to take the risk to jump ship. We are not talking about guys from the 50s who played footy on the weekend and had a crack at something else on Tuesday nights, when it would have been a hell of a lot easier to succeed against other amateurs. The risk now is much greater, but the rewards are still tempting people.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
You're right about smith and wrestling. I remember Jesse Bromwich said last year in an interview that he is the best at the storm at it. You'd think it'd be a prop due to size and strength but happens to be him.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I reckon there's a few players who could give Olympic diving a crack. I think Thaiday would be good at orienteering, because he always manages to find the biffo no matter where it is on the field.
The Barry
Roar Guru
CB Fry, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall. Warren Ryan was a comm games shot putter! If anything it's getting more difficult to switch between sports. Folau and Hunt were a long way from a success at AFL. Hayne remains untested. None of the 'boxers' are making any great waves. Mundine was different as he'd been fighting from a young age and was as much a boxer playing league as vice versa. I think the Folau/Hunt experience means a league to AFL switch is less likely in the near future.
fiddlesticks
Guest
umm, its not that easy to change sports unless you are a freak or the sports are similar like rugby and league. and news flash this has been happening for ages! the USA has had some freaks in the past play both eg Sanders and Bo Jackson. If anything its harder now as its harder to get to the top these days and becomes a career obsession. this is not the tip of the iceberg and not new. look up Mike Cleary, Snowy Baker or Herb Barker
peeeko
Roar Guru
been happening for over a century