It is an interesting question, many punters have said that the death of Australian football would be globalisation, as nothing can supposedly stand in the way of all-conquering worldwide team sports like basketball or soccer.
Footy, the critics say, is an anachronism, a throwback, a tiny indigenous sport centred in the southern part of a parched generally unpopulated continent that is at the end of the world.
Aussie Rules, they say, will eventually submit to the power of global sports, global money, global reach and global media.
Of course, there is also the opposite view. In an increasingly globalised world, a throwback to local identity and local cultural customs and norms is refreshing and a break from modern living.
People relish an opportunity to pass footy culture from old to new generations.
So what is the answer?
I would say, in the last 100 years AFL has weathered this alleged storm quite nicely, from being a VFL comp in huge financial trouble in the 1980s, to now a national comp owning billion-dollar assets, with record crowds, membership and media rights.
I could quote you hundreds of old newspaper articles stating it is only a matter of time before soccer becomes the number one code, or that footy will never kick on NSW or Queensland because rugby reigns supreme.
Some of that is true, and perhaps it is true that soccer will eventually become the number one code. But plenty of stats point to the fact that, as a code, it is as far away as ever in terms of usurping the traditional codes.
In fact, you could argue that despite globalism pressing in, the AFL has used everything within its power – and some tools of globalisation – to further the game in non-traditional areas, rather than being pushed back to its heartland.
I would also conclude its main competitor in NSW and Queensland – rugby league – has more or less done the opposite, while rugby union continues to shoot itself in the foot.
Rugby, in particular, is now in a battle in Sydney since soccer and, more recently, Australian football have been accepted into the elite private school sports domain.
One should not underestimate the significance of this, it has taken plenty of time and even more money to make this happen.
Whilst there is no doubt football has lost some traction in the Southern states in a battle not just against other sporting codes but also the wider entertainment industry, it has more than made up for it in the Northern states.
Even internationally, places like Paupau New Guinea and New Zealand have junior structures and talent ID schemes while, even further afield, Europe and North America have amateur adult comps up and running.
Some proof of this push overseas being successful is that there will be a record 14 Irishman on AFL lists next year.
The new version of Australian football – AFLX – would not exist without the pressure of globalisation. It is a direct result of the AFL reacting to a lack of time, space and an increasing hesitation for physical contact from modern generations.
Like indoor soccer, netball and T20 cricket, AFLX is somewhat a ‘fast food’ sport.
It is a game really tailored more for overseas than Australia, if someone was to view the game for the first time, AFLX would be far easier to understand and play than the 18 a side traditional game.
I would have thought if the AFL ever had any intentions of globalising the game, AFLX would be the platform to use.
So what about the future? How will the game look in 10, 20, 50 or even 100 years?
josh
Guest
Gimmick nothing more. Chinese teams visit Australia every year for the Asian Champions League. A perfect opportunity for building relationships using the only sport the Chinese people care about.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
With a pair of rolled up socks - funny thing is families are smaller, houses are bigger and many don't even have hallways which were ideal for cricket - not funny at all really!
Kennoth
Guest
Used to play in hallway of the house ! and luv it !!
Martin
Roar Rookie
Aussie Rules football got about a three-second promo on Global Business tonight, channel 653. It was part of a story on how China started hosting major international sporting events about ten years ago. I thought I'd mention this since it relates to this article about globalisation.
Gary
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Rugby Australia, fka ARU, must surely be wary of the AFL wooing the wealth and power elites... truly the worst governing body in Australian sports. Smart move by the AFL.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
Well, yes i would agree, there is actually indoor versions of the game played in a few states, still takes up plenty of room though, this is a clip from Kingsway sports center in Perth, AFLX attempts to address the problem using a smaller area, but that area is still a full size soccer or rugby ground, what you can do in a backyard is play kick to kick and attempt speccys etc but again you are pulling the kicks etc but in a way similar to backyard cricket or soccer where you lower your kicks or hitting the ball. https://youtu.be/shS76vjxt90
Cat
Roar Guru
In answer to the title of this article. I think the answer is it clearly hasn't matter one way or the other.
Randy
Roar Rookie
Aussie Rules has a fundamental problem though that soccer, cricket and even League doesn’t have. There is no short form of the game where you can gather a few mates and play on some small patch of grass in the park. You can’t play proper aussies rules in a backyard. That’s why Aussies rules will never take off in countries that don’t have vast amounts of space.
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
Well, I can’t comment much on that, Aligee, but when I was at High School in Mildura, it was pretty simple. Two groups of kids about 30-40 metres apart kicking the footy back & forth. Speccy potential with every average kick. At some point Grenville Dietrich (SANFL bush footy legend with North Adelaide) would casually step in & roost one 65m. Just to show us us how it was done.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
I noticed after moving to WA my kids used to play "king of the pack" rather than having 'kick to kick', reminds me a bit of this ..... tip and run (Perth, NSW), hit and run (NSW), tipsy run (Brisbane), tippy go (parts of South Australia) tippy go run (Northern Territory). Also speccy, hanger, screamer etc
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
Not that wide open, Cat. You don’t see as much of ‘kick to kick’ these days admittedly, but up until the ‘80’s & ‘90’s, most kids & teens who were even half serious about the game had probably kicked the Aussie Rules ball tens of thousands of times. Lunch time & after school, until it became too dark to see it. I can’t speak for soccer, but I reckon it never happened with the Rugby codes or American football. The joy of kicking the ball I mean.
Cat
Roar Guru
Really? You can kick a soccer ball. You can kick a Sherrin. You can kick a gridiron football and you can kick a rugby ball as well. Obviously soccer and Aussie rules would get the most use out of 'having a kick' but it still leaves it wide open.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
If he's suggesting a kick of the football, that can only be one football.
TWLS
Guest
Most AFL fans do not care about the Game off shore. Most AFL fans would not know where the game is played off shore. This is encouraged by the AFL who have enough on their plate as it is. Most AFL fans do not care about Globalisation. So why would even raising the issue matter. The AFL currently encourages "Organic" development in each country which means some committment from them - aka AFL Europe and others. Port Adelaide is now ensconced in China for another 5 years. They have dragged the very reluctant AFL with them who believe it not are likely to set up a office over there with Port. This is the exact scenario that Andy D first raised as CEO -"We will follow the AFL Clubs mantra." But note no big bucks from AFL House just supporting role.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
South Fremantle's Stephen Michael a all time great two Sandovers, two Simpsons as good as the great Polly Farmer. Cyril Rioli was great but not in the same class as Maurice another great South Fremantle champion.
Martin
Roar Rookie
It is rather confusing these days when for example a mate would say to me, "let's go down to the park to have a kick of the football" and I don't know which shaped ball to take with me.
Steve
Guest
What??? If he meant soccer he would say soccer, as the game is actually called Association Football not just football. There’s American football, Australian football, association football and Gallic football codes.
Beni Iniesta
Guest
If you're talking about "Aussie Rules" you must refer to it as "Australian Football". It is the AFL - the "Australian Football League" not the AfL - the "Australian football League". Writing it as "Australian football" makes it seem you're referring to Soccer/Football. As in "Australian soccer"/ "Australian football". It makes a difference. Fix up your headline.
duecer
Guest
peeeko - I would argue the opposite in regards to RL and the WC. France, which has a roster of native born players and a long tradition were knocked out of the group stage while an artificial Lebanon went through to the quarters - don't think any of the players were born there, let alone spoke the language - this to me is the opposite of expansion. Back in the 50's to 70's there were 5 competitive sides who could beat each other on a good day. Now it's down to 3. Sure there are more teams now, but they're all ex NRL or super league players. I don't know too much about AFL, but if you there's only a tiny amount of students playing from the private schools, perhaps you should reassure RU - it's eating into it's traditional strength and one of the reasons RU is on the slide.
Lroy
Guest
Interesting article, Aussie Rules already is global. They have leagues all over the world. The comps in Canada and the UK are quiet strong. I played for the Balmy Beach Saints in Toronto in 1995... it was a summer comp as winter was way too cold. Good way to meet fellow expates and have a few beers on a Saturday morning. They would play two games back to back on a cricket ground while the Pakistanis and Indians patiently waited for us to finish so they could play cricket at midday. They were bemused by the sight of us all sitting in these skimpy shorts, cut off sleeveless guernseys drinking beer still wearing our boots in the immediate aftermath of the game.... some guys would knock one back at 3/4 time. All 4 sides would get together for beers at a local watering hole later. Had some good players there, some ex VFL reserves guys, couple who had played a game here and there in the WAFL and SANFL. Some guy who was apparently a gun from the VFA turned up for a few games and absolutely killed it his team must didn't make finals back home and he was just passing through. Ring ins like that would turn up all the time... Aussie back packers would get shanghaied in a bar to come and play for the local team next day....hungover as fck... with varying degrees of skill. Fun times. Thailand play Vietnam every now and then.. mostly expates but enough locals who can afford the plane ticket turn up from all accounts.