In early March Sydney received the news that AFL in the city had shut down indefinitely.
From Auskick to school programs and decade-old footy clubs, the decision had been made to shut down all AFL-associated events for the foreseeable future.
For most states in Australia this shutdown would have a minimal long-term impact, but the concern when talking to a colleague of mine named Harry was that this may damage the AFL’s ‘foothold’ established in Sydney in recent years.
When discussing AFL in Sydney, the term ‘challenger sport’ is often mentioned, and Harry described this as “upsetting the status quo”. Historically AFL has not been viewed as Sydney’s main sport, having to compete in the most crowded elite sporting market in the world. However elite-level success along with strong community involvement has increased support and participation for AFL in recent times.
Harry suggested that historically “small things that wouldn’t generally matter elsewhere were blown completely out of proportion”. Upsetting the status quo is bound to bring heavy criticism, but it’s the continued effort to grow the sport in the difficult areas of Sydney that has been the most admirable.
Sport is an integral part of Australian culture, AFL is an integral part of Harry’s life. Being involved with development, coaching and playing, Harry is currently experiencing the void left by this shutdown. Many are aware of the physical benefits of playing AFL, but Harry suggested it’s “definitely the social aspect that’s missing the most”. To mend the bridge between footy and its fans, Harry suggested kicking by yourself and zoom video chats but admitted that “it’s just not the same”.
In turn, this may be the issue. With the AFL introducing a range of initiatives in order to stay relevant to the broader public, it may not be enough for the challenging Sydney market. For example, Fox Footy have been playing archived matches in place of the live product. Despite the reaction being positive and engaging, Harry suggested that this is just “filler”. In the states where AFL is a major commodity, the AFL is showing free-to-air football on the Channel Seven. This is not the case in Sydney, and this might just show the priorities of the AFL.
Harry suggested that these initiatives are intending to “keep the fans on board”, but as the AFL shutdown is now looking like a long-term possibility, it is tough to say if these can maintain the foothold of AFL in Sydney.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I googled it, wow yeah the nrl is in struggle street, the AFL was able to secure double the amount as a line of credit from an Australian financial institution. If they’re forced to stay locked down past may 28th we are gonna see nrl go under
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I’m sorry are you referring to the AFL or the nrl? Because I can understand the trepidation offering rugby league the money. They are lacking in effective financial management
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Or is it you that has no idea what you are talking about? Moving on.
Lukey Miller
Guest
Sydney is a very hard market to break into - particularly Western Sydney. The best thing that the AFL has going for it is the product - the game. If I was the NRL I would want GWS out of NSW as quick as possible. The AFL is currently a much stronger business than NRL and if GWS can survive they may eventually thrive. GWS was always a 20 year project, it is just a matter if they can remain viable through the current circumstances.
Republican
Guest
...... concur, while the AFL will continue their expedient philosophy of 'growth' once or perhaps more accurately, if they recover from COVID 19's far reaching impacts.
Cosmic Wizard
Roar Rookie
It rather strange that no Aussie bank would offer them any money. Aussie banks will offer anyone money if you have a pulse. $250m from English sources, but only to keep the game afloat till May 28 (from the SMH). Sounds like an organisation in real trouble. The questions is how? Can they really have no money?
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
You clearly have no idea what I'm talking about.
Matches
Roar Rookie
Love the name "Winnie the Pooh (Emperor of China)" - just so off the wall. Like the comment too - brilliant
michael RVC
Roar Pro
This old bollocks from sooky Victorian heatland luvvies. If it wasn't for TV rights, the VFL would still be a basket case. Even with that and up to this very moment, your statement is simply not accurate. The money that the AFL funnells into the code outside of Victoria (because they are responsible to do so and because if they didn't they would not have TV rights outside of Victoria) does not come from Victorian clubs.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Fortunately AFL Has the highest % of women attending games than all the other codes - almost 50% of the crowds, to say nothing of involvement in local clubs.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The only reason AFL has less head trauma is because the umps give frees away at the slightest contact to the head. Still there is some very fast n fierce head clashes.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
So the coronavirus outbreak is making clear that Rugby League and the NRL have mismanaged themselves financially. What I mean by that is they don't have the funds to go toe to toe with the AFL, and with the rising concerns about concussions and the like in NRL (to a lesser extent in AFL) that has left the grass roots game a little more flat footed for the NRL. Additionally, the Sydney Sides have a long history of success (much to my chagrin), and as a result of that have begun to develop sustained fan bases. I think the coronavirus will perversely be a net benefit to the growth of the game north of the border as NRL will be financially crippled by this crisis as can be seen through their eagerness to get back.
RT
Roar Rookie
Jordan, what do you mean in describing Sydney as "the most crowded elite sporting market in the world"?
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
The AFL has worked hard at funnelling the fees it collects from the heartland clubs to these clubs, whilst the heartland clubs go to the wall. But who cares when expansion is everything.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
" it’s final circumnavigation of the drain hole." Classic!
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Fathers want their sons to play sport. Mothers do the choosing.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Yes.
clipper
Roar Rookie
I think more the question as to can NRL in Sydney survive the lockdown - crowds down, participation plummeting, FTA ratings falling - a contrast to AFL in Sydney where ratings, although low, are steady, crowds are great and participation is booming.
Winnie the Pooh (Emperor of China)
Guest
Rugby Union is practically finished as a going concern and RL is in it's final circumnavigation of the drain hole. It's AFL's territory to lose now. I'd like the see them put another club into SW Sydney to service that area, and also a northern beaches team to fill the vacuum left behind by NRL and union carcing it. Soccer is there, but so is badminton and all the other olympic sports. People prefer to watch the first graders, not the local chapter of 3rd graders.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Sydney mothers will still view Aussie rules as “soft” and don’t want their little darlings getting hurt playing league; this won’t change so they’ll be back.