A sporting weekend of major milestones

@ Nemesis 19.7 2.46 pm Of course an Allies team is needed when playing Victoria! The best athletes in NSW and Queensland generally play League and Union (just as the best athletes in Vic., WA, SA, Tas., and NT play Australian Football). This is common knowledge from school athletics programs/sporting background of the best athletes; and comments by school physical education teachers. Also, NSW, Queensland and the ACT (let alone the small populations of Tas. and the NT) do not have the large and advanced elite Australian Football training programs, from a young age, that exist in Vic., WA, and SA. Being able to play regularly against top junior opposition cannot be replicated yet in the other states. The positive news is that Australian Football participation is booming in NSW, the ACT, and Queensland -and the standard of their juniors is steadily improving. This is proven by the . approximately 100 AFL players, from NSW, ACT, and Qld. who have been playing in the AFL in recent times. . increasingly good results achieved by junior male and female teams when playing against Vic., WA, and SA.

A team of people called The Allies. I laughed & I laughed. If you have a State Team referred to as "The Allies" that literally tells you how small the Ozzie Rules participation base is outside Vic, SA, WA. Keep flag flying JOX. Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie Rules Rules Rules

@ Nemesis 10.23 am I am not interested in engaging with you in a semantic debate about the meaning of "regularly" -but I disagree with your description that it means "more often than not". You seem not to like the NBL. You're claiming you don't know "what Archie and Timmy said" disparagingly and very publicly about the A League? I note you are no longer refuting the obvious: Australian Football participation is booming in NSW, Queensland, and the ACT -as it is in all other parts of Australia (excluding males in Tasmania). As further evidence of this, the U18 Allies male team in the 2017 National Championships defeated the previously undefeated Vic. Metro by 3 points. The Allies comprise players from NSW, ACT, Queensland, Tasmania, and the NT. www.aflnswact.com.au/allies-victorious-undefeated-vic-metro/ In 2018 in the U18 National Championships, the Allies defeated "the strong Vic. Country" male team by 23 points. Then, on 16.6.2018, the Allies lost to Vic. Metro by only 2 points, and had more scoring shots. If they had won this game, it would have been historic -the first time the Allies had ever won their first two games in the National Championships. www.aflq.com.au/allies-prepared-for-historic-vic-metro-showdown/ NSW and Queensland players dominated in these above games in 2017 and 2018. ( Sadly, Tasmanian male football elite pathways are at a very low ebb at the moment, with very few players being drafted to the AFL). Not only is this evidence of booming participation numbers in NSW, ACT, and Queensland, these results show also that the QUALITY is excellent. Very skilled footballers are being produced and drafted from these areas in good numbers.

@JOX Asserting "regularly attracts crowds AROUND 10,000" is UTTER NONSENSE. An ALT Fact. 112 NBL matches played - 18 matches were over 10,000 - 6 match between 8k & 10k (only 1 of these was over 9k) So, what is "regularly"? Common sense would define "regularly" has happening "more often than not" = 50% or more. So, if you wish to assert NBL regularly attracts crows AROUND 10,000 I can also assert NBL regularly attracts crowds around 3,000. I don't know what Archie & Timmy said, but, in general, I agree there are huge structural issues with the way football is administered and the way the ALeague operates. The ALeague is 13 years old. If, after 100 years, the FFA is still so worried about the sport they try to introduce new forms of the sport, or make zonal laws, etc. .. that would be a concern. ALeague is, and always will be, a development league. I want ALeague to be the best possible pathway to develop Aussie footballers. I don't care if no one watches it, other than the True Believers. ALeague is not, never has been, never will be, a football competition for Event Watchers. And, I'm delighted if that's the case.

@ Nemesis 18.7 Your above comment of "18 (NBL games) had crowds OVER 10,000" is an incorrect reference and implication about my statement. I said "...the NBL (which regularly attracts crowds AROUND 10,000)...". I never stated crowds "over" 10,000. "Around 10,000" obviously includes also NBL crowds under 10,000. Given that the NBL receives very little mainstream media mentions, NBL crowds are very respectable. Male Australian basketball also performs very well in the Olympics and the major overseas competitions, far better than male soccer. Re the decline of elite male soccer, what are your views on my above comments, citing Archie Thompson and Tim Cahil, about the serious failings of the A League? If you disagree with Thompson and Cahill, why; and why have the performance of Australian male under 23, under 20, and other junior teams been so abysmal (and obviously declining) in international competitions? The Official AFL Registered and Official FFA Registered 2017 Participant numbers are the most reliable information that we have. These figures (whilst both have some participants counted twice or thrice - more likely in soccer; and the majority in both codes are not playing in regular comps. and lengthy Programs) are provided to Federal, State, and local Councils. You, of all people, should not be suggesting the AFL or others are liars. Remember your Easter Saturday soccer competition hallucinations? The Australian Football community participation boom is a reality all over Australia (except for males in Tasmania). About 100 players in the AFL have come from NSW, ACT, and Queensland in recent years. A very recent example of the boom in Australian Football in non-heartland areas only occurred last week. In the National Championships, Queensland U18 Girls defeated the usually omnipotent Vic. Metro U18 Girls. This is the FIRST time that a Queensland team, male or female, at any age group, has ever defeated a Vic. Metro. team. www.aflq.com.au/queensland-bring-the-pressure--in-historic-aflw-win/ It is virtually certain that Australian Football participation will continue its strong growth trend in NSW, ACT, and Queensland. Due to the vast per capita numbers playing in the NT, the NT is now an heartland Territory for Australian Football.

"Basketball ... which regularly attracts crowds around 10,000" Utter nonsense, unless you define "regularly" as being 16% of matches. 112 NBL matches last season, 18 had crowds over 10,000. The highest crowd was 13,611. Is this regularly? If it is then we can say "NBA regularly attracts crowds under 3,000. Since there were at least 16 matches with crowds under 3,000. It could actually be more than 16 matches since 14 matches there was no crowd number recorded, which usually occurs when the number is so low, it's embarrassing to post it. Aussie Rules participation is booming. I laughed & I laughed. But, no harm if you want to keep believing that. AFL HQ knows that's not true that's why they're desperately seeking women & new forms of the sport.

@ Redondo 1.47pm I have never said, nor do I believe, the AFL "...will successfully conquer all of Australia". The AFL has also never said this, or words to that effect. Sydney, Brisbane, and the ACT are, with conflicting sporting loyalties, the most competitive sporting cities/states in the world. I assume this is likely to continue for decades and for League to retain its hegemony. "Long term plans" of the AFL? I don't know, except for their public recent statements they want to take small-sided AFLX to smaller rectangular grounds to some other countries, and to NSW and Queensland. I think it is very unlikely Australian Football will ever become a popular sport in any other country -nor do I, nor most Australian Football fans, really care. We don't have the cultural cringe of others. It is very hard to predict more than 10 years in advance, so I will not try. On current trends, however, a reasonably strong case can be made that, in the next 10 years . Union will continue its serious male contact participation decline...to possibly disastrous consequences for the Wallabies. Will the new, booming non-contact primary school 4 week Game On program reverse this contact decline? Will the good growth of female contact Union, off a small base, continue? . League is also likely to continue its long term male contact participation decline. League, however, has the financial resources, cultural resonance, and easy ability to change its Rules to a less dangerous game, to reverse this long term decline. Female contact League is growing, off a very small base. If it becomes very popular amongst females, this will provide League with a big boost. . The very successful A League will expand, and boost community participation around Australia. Soccer will, obviously, always be a hugely popular participant sport, as it is considered (and heavily promoted by the FFA as such) a very safe sport to play. Will the average standard improve considerably in the A League (Archie Thompson recently said the NSL was better at developing top international skilled players. Tim Cahill said recently A League players are "just going through the motions")? If so, the A League can expect a considerable improvement in its poor ratings; and A League crowds, averaging about 10,500, good by international standards, would also have good growth. . AFL Ratings have fallen a precipitous 7% in 2018, having been stagnant for many years at about 102,000,000 pa. If this fall continues, it would be a disaster for the next Broadcast Rights, and for funding the game generally. Crowds have also been stagnant, at about 7,300,000 pa -they are up about 1% in 2018. Australian Football participation (male and female) has been booming in NSW, Queensland, and the ACT in recent years -so it is likely to continue in the next 10 years. Anecdotally, in 2018, this growth has continued everywhere in Australia (except males in Tasmania). Female participation has had massive growth in Vic., SA, and Tas. -WA is a laggard. As the new big Clubs are added to the AFLW, this female growth is certain to continue. Male participation is also rising, but more modestly. .Basketball participation is also very strong in Australia, and the NBL (which regularly attracts crowds around 10,000) is also adding new teams. . Computer games will continue to be the "enemy" of participation in sports.

joy you are wasting your talent on this tab. No one on here cares what you have to say except for MQ, also known as Mr AFL, Grubbelaar and heavens knows how many more aliases.

@Joy This is a serious question - what comes next once AFL has successfully conquered all of Australia? What’s the long term plan?

@ At Work 18.7 11.39am Do you really believe that when the Big Clubs eg Richmond, West Coast, Essendon, and Hawthorn join the AFLW, "...don't expect the crowd and TV averages to remain at their current highs"? A decline is extremely unlikely. The excitement around female football is too strong, and is unstoppable. As for the impact on charging entry costs (which the AFL is considering for 2019), I suspect it will have little impact on crowds -fans already buy very expensive ground beverages, food etc. at AFLW games. I doubt many will quibble over an entrance charge less than $10 for an adult, particularly as the skill standard is rising each year. Many AFLW games are played Sat. or Sunday, starting between midday to 3.30 pm. These times are definitely not TV Prime Time for ratings; and the heat in summer is often very uncomfortable for fans (and players!), as most AFLW suburban grounds have nil, or inadequate, cover. It is expected more games will be played at later evening times, and at ovals with better cover. This will certainly increase average crowds and ratings.

Obviously the AFLW will not fold in a few years, but once they start charging for their matches you'll see the attendances naturally reduce, this along with the fact the league is very new, means once it settles into a normal rhythm all the bandwagons and casuals will drop off. Well done to them, but don't expect the crowd and TV averages to remain at their current highs.

@ MQ 18.7 I never said all soccer players dive/feign injury -the Australian team, apparently, do it infrequently, or rarely. It is, however, common across all facets of soccer, in all countries. It is undeniable it is culturally ingrained in soccer -this is further exemplified by the MANY soccer fans who attempt to "defend" it, using tortured "logic". The AFLW average total Ratings in 2018 were about 130,000 on FTA and Foxtel. The A League ratings in 2017/2018 were an average total of about 80,000, on FTA and Foxtel. When the big Clubs eg Richmond, West Coast, Essendon, and Hawthorn join from 2020, the AFLW, Ratings (and attendances) can be expected to rise. Also, when these Clubs join, the female Australian Football participation boom will certainly continue. Vast numbers of District Clubs and schools are planning to introduce female Australian Football teams. AFL Victoria said about 4 months ago that Victoria will require an additional 90 ovals by 2020 to cope with the female demand. Similarly, the SANFL said about 1 month ago that SA will require an additional 70+ ovals by 2026. AFLNSW also requires additional ovals in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The Swans have commenced female junior Academies for their AFLW team. WA has been, relatively, very poor in developing female Australian Football -but it is certain it will eventually have similar female growth. Queensland has nearly as many female Australian Football participants as Victoria. Gold Coast AFLW introduction in 2020 will also provide a further big boost there for female participation. The AFLW will, therefore, certainly not fold in 3 years. The AFLW (and the explosive female football growth directly related to it) will become an increasingly large part of the summer sporting scene.

MQ you are a truly sad person, masquerading online as a football supporter while taking pot shots at every opportunity.

Joy Not all soccer players dive and feign injury, you can't tar them all with the same brush. I'd say only half would carry on with those sorts of theatrics. Are the AFLW TV ratings truly higher than the A-League? I find that very hard to believe. Did you count the ratings on One? I would not expect the AFLW to last more than three seasons. I also note that the World Cup Final beat the AFL ratings the other day, by 1k.

Thanks for the clarification Joy! Wow and here I thought soccer was popular. When is the world going to find out about this amazing game we have right here in Victoria? Where world class athletes are playing in a bubble and its only the ignorant world that continues to ignore them.

why are you even here

@ Midfielder 12.56pm David Lord is an Australian sports' writer -so, of course, he should make reference to Australian sporting achievements. The most "laughable" feature in sport is the odious diving/feigning injury we regularly see in soccer; and soccer supporters who "defend" the theatrics. Virtually everyone would agree that Australian Football is the biggest sport on Australia, on nearly all metrics. Its participation numbers are booming Australia-wide (except for males in Tasmania). Unlike soccer (which counts Miniroos programs for 3 and 4 y.o), Australian Football does not organize programs for 3 and 4 y.o kids. The game's skills are too complex. It is also only played for about 5-6 months per year -but soccer has participation programs for nearly 12 months per year, and has indoor soccer versions also. Thus, soccer is very likely to have many participants double/triple counted. Many soccer players are also double/triple counted when they play for school, Club, and futsal. Many private schools prohibit their Australian Football school competition students from also playing for a Club. Because it is a FAR more strenuous game than soccer, many Australian Football players voluntarily decline from playing two games per week. Australian Football has far more than "350,000 registered players" -it has in 2017 about 1,550,000 Official registered participants. Perhaps your confusion relates to Australian Football female registered participants, about 450,000. As the AFLW expands from its current 8 teams in 2018, to 10 in 2019, then 14, in 2020, Australian Football is likely to surpass soccer participant numbers in a few years. The AFLW ratings average 130,000 per game -far greater than the 80,000 average of the A League. With an average attendance of about 6500 per AFLW game, for a competition that is only 2 years old, its crowds are also expected to grow. For an annual, stand-alone female H & A competition, this 6500 average crowd is, possibly, the highest average in the world. (I'm not sure if any WNBA games play at joint, male basketball venues). Soccer has had a 30 year head start on Australian Football as a mainstream female sport. Using your reasoning, a bowl of rice is the best and most "worthy" meal in the world, as it is the most consumed meal internationally.

David has no interest in the game as he says, but will still throw articles out there on the sport, claiming expertise. The reality is he tries to ride it's coattails. It's not the first time he's tried to include local sports into a conversation on international ones, attempting to compare the two (laughably)

David Wow comparing a young man considered the best youth player in the world in a sport that has over 400 million registered players to a reasonable to good player in a sport with about 350K registered players. David all I can say is you reflect and represent the media of people of your age, no offence but the lack of any reference to metrics akin to player numbers, media size, etc as I said reflects a very in-wood protection towards whats considered local..... and keep the world out.

Reading your articles is like watching grass grow too but I read them for a good laugh, just to remind me how backwards Australia was when you were actually employed as a sports journalist.