I want more for the NRLW in 2021

AFL does accomodate varying shapes and sizes... but at the same time at the it is just a brute fact that if you look across the elite AFL competition you see the evolution of what is required of a player to enter the system - 6 foot or more (mostly), aerobically elite (mostly), highly adept kicking amd marking skills (mostly)... there are exceptions always but on the whole you’re just not going to ever be seeing the AFL drawing high numbers from Pacific Island nations for the same reason the NBA doesn’t draw their players from that region. They’re just not physically suited to play AFL (or NBA) at the elite level - possibly in a previous era but not the modern game. Pacific Islanders are clearly suited to NRL but they are a fish out of water when it comes to the AFL. There will be the odd exception but on the whole AFL at the elite level isn’t likely to suit many athletes from Pacific Island nations.

I do understand - - RL is the national sport of PNG and over the last 30-40 years in particular it has grown to be pretty all consuming. Pleasantly - - sports like Cricket and AFL are have (at least since the war) been there too and are developing very nicely presently. There was a time back in the 60s where RL wasn't such a clear leader. Sports were largely played by the expats Aussies and Kiwis; and in 1967 St Kilda travelled up there and played against the PNG side (which was about 50/50 natives/expats). It was largely during the 1980s that TV really propelled RL to the forefront in PNG. But.....do you know what.....that mistake can be rectified!!!! :stoked:

Thank you Mike for that information but as I stated before I do not live in Moresby anymore do I can't attend. I don't think you entirely understand just how popular and all consuming Rugby League in PNG is. The PNG Orchids are an inspiration to so many young women in my country, I love those girls with all my heart.

#Emma I can see your confusion. The AFL and PNG.....that was a side conversation. Not AFLW related. re NRLW - the issue is around the balance of expansion because for most people the money involved isn't enough (it's "semi-professional"). Same issue for the AFLW. It's one of the reasons the AFLW hasn't expanded the length of season as rapidly as some outspoken people would prefer; because - in the main it's not sustainable - - you'd loose too many people who just can't make it work around their careers/lives. That's all. It's a tricky phase - - and the stronger base load of players in greater Sydney makes it easier to run Sydney based NRLW sides; as the players are there already. That's pretty straight forward logic. I was simply correlating what is apparent in Greater Sydney with potential for growth. I expected more. So far - - I've heard about Longreach, PNG or rural NSW.....but for now......I'm underwhelmed re the Sydney base. btw - the POM AFL GF 2020 was held on the Colts AFL oval in the Bisini sports complex in Boroko, Nov 28th. Wests Eagles vs Kokofa Cats. AFL PNG across I believe 6 provinces. If you don't know where to find them then like anything - you probably won't see them. They also run a pretty extensive Niukick program in schools. Personally I see Fiji as a better fit......the taller 'skinny' guys that don't fit the profile for the school Rugby teams are a really good fit for AFL.

#Jake That's the massive advantage for RL; where RU has already been established then RL can always work a symbiotic relationship. Aust Footy - as said - it was very limited in Samoa and appears to have ceased. Tonga was interesting; via the Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) program; 'AFL' was presented in schools and a young fellow from the Mahina family was quite taken with the game. His father Malakai was a bit of a Rugby institution in Tonga, holding level 3 Rugby and League coaching credentials; but the father supported the son and suddenly the Mahina family became the first family of AFL in Tonga. That's the way it can happen. What the AFL don't do is invest in it. I think they see it as an embarrasment and if the AFL didn't try then they won't support and even then if the AFL try they don't want to be seen to try too hard because I suspect they expect failure. That and the AFLPA tries to suck up as much money as they can at the expense of such sort of development. It's interesting - because last year there was an article urging the NRL to get really serious about the 'rise of Tonga' and a proper international test calendar (because as I see it; it seems the internationals are an irritation because the SoO is the pinnacle). The comments: “My, if AFL had Tonga and all their fans knocking on the door saying: ‘look at how good our players are’, the AFL would be over it like a cheap suit. “They’d be funding it left right and centre, selling it, marketing it, playing Tests and developing it. But they can’t do that, because they don’t have an international game." This is where I'd actually suggest no......the AFL wouldn't be doing that. Why? Very little pay off. The bigger battle is battleground Australia. The bigger battle presently for domestic growth is female participation; is revenue streams in new media landscape; is "covid-normal" future etc etc.

Mike you're points are all over the place and it's hard to follow your central point? You first state it's hard for the NRL to recruit players from outside areas then state how the AFL is doing it in PNG. Back in PNG the Women's game is going through a growth explosion and actually changing the nation's mindset towards women and how they are treated. With players like Elsie Albert coming over here and doing well why can't more? I haven't been back to Moresby in over 2 years but my parents are still there and they or myself haven't seen any Australian Football played, so if a sport that is essentially invisible can produce professionals why can't a sport that is almost a national religion?

Perhaps too harsh but you wrote it anyway? I just reread the article and she says nothing that constitutes a dig at the AFLW yet you have written paragraph upon paragraph trying to undermine the author.

I'm only dismissing it because it doesn't exist, I was born there and I still have dozens of family members there and none of them play or watch or even know about AFL over there. League is growing massively over there because of the NRL and Rugby has always been huge but I've never seen AFL there.

#Emma-Jane I was simply looking at the base numbers apparant across Sydney. I haven't looked into QLD. As I said re Sydney "Is there more than that in Sydney?? (please tell me there is)." And - in my opinion - I am underwhelmed by womens RL in greater Sydney. I expected more given the talking up that this author in particular presents. And as the author couldn't resist (as is her want) to send a cheap shot towards the AFLW; I wondered about whether there's a level of delusion or "me-tooism". Perhaps that's too harsh. At any rate......gotta crawl before you can walk before you can run. As Mary put it "I have questions as to whether this competition expanded too quickly, but the AFLW has been aggressive in its approach." Well - - - either Mary is willing to ask and discuss those questions or she isn't??? I'm sure Longreach can sustain the NRLW.

Mate - many AFL followers have no idea. Few realise that international AFL provided a pathway for Kurt Heatherley to come from NZ to Hawthorn and current Gold Coast Sun Hewago Paul Oea who has come through the PNG system and hopefully will debut this season. I've followed international AFL for around 20 years - after noting footy in Denmark (my parents homeland). It's an interestng time of real (and generally) grass roots growth driven growth that highlights in many cases the role of social media in provision of support and connection etc. But you'll have no interest in all that so I'll leave it there.

#Jake You may be commenting entirely in jest - however.... Samoa had one 'footy' village - and Samoa DID come out in 2005 and 2008 and contested. I think it was an aunt of Aaron Edwards who was of Samoan heritage playing in the AFL (at North Melbourne) at the time. Fia Tootoo and Mateta Kirisome were 2 stand outs in 2005. Fia Tootoo was a gun, he captained them and was equal player of the 2005 tournament. It was pretty cool seeing Samoa represented......and those who came over probably had the time of their lives. Now perhaps you're happy to entirely dismiss it.......as I said - it's pretty well fizzled out - - but for about 10 years there was a presence.

This is the first time I have ever heard anyone talk up the AFL as an International Sport. It's truly absurd.

Mike’s comments coming deep from the southern AFL bubble. They believe this stuff people. Scary.

I wouldn't worry too much EJ he states that the NRLW doesn't have the talent for another side meanwhile the AFLW has games that run like 16-9 I just don't think he likes other sports or their culture

Mike this is a very condescending and ignorant comment from AFL land. Yes RL is coming from a low base but the growth over the last few years has been impressive and there is a reason the League is taking a slow measured approach but the way you dismiss the League's as mostly touch and tag and saying that there isn't the talent is just plain wrong, why don't you come out to Longreach and watch the girls go around rather than criticise Mary for starting a good discussion.

Don't forget Samoa when I was growing up there they were kicking a Sherrin on every corner :laughing:

You were making good points until you tried to argue that the AFL is International, I'm English and have never seen a game over here EVER! ans I also lived in PNG with the WHO and I can tell you that the workship.League there and there's no other sports at all. So they may have an odd team here and there in other countries but none of them are breaking into the elite class about from a few Paddy's. Come on Mike get serious mate.

#The Set Peace Firstly - when talking the 'intro level' for semi-pro; of AFLW in the first couple of years and NRLW currently - - then yep - you have many more options of where you can draw 'talent' from both within and outside of the game. That window narrows as the 'elite' competition evolves.....unless the underlying foundations can grow and the talent pathways evolve and improve to funnel competition ready talent upwards. Otherwise.....it will get very difficult. Secondly - ironically Aust Footy is perhaps far more international than you might realise. And Womens footy internationally has been a growth area - such that there are players from the US and Canada either in the AFLW or the next tier down. Ironically just last week a lady from AFLGermany who has come to Australia to have a go - made her debut for the Geelong VFLW team. There is female footy doing very nicely in NZ, PNG etc.....PNG, Tonga and Fiji have all sent womens teams to the AFL International Cup where Canada and Ireland have been the traditional rivals. However - - the window for internationals to be able to have a crack at the AFLW is rapidly closing. They have to be very good and come up through the ranks. That's the thing - - the foundations/framework below the AFLW has swelled. And quite frankly I still think it completely surprised many at AFL HQ and out in the community too. So.....yup - - for the NRLW; if you get it right - - it could be great. But I' warn against trying to build an 'elite' NRLW that is too reliant on plucking people from here and there rather than a real bottom up structure with strong talent pathways. Just sayin'.

#Mary It shouldn't be AFLW vs NRLW any more than as a point of reference. You've also referenced the WBBL. My point is simply that the AFLW has been establish up massive female participation boosts (that based on 2018/2019 metrics) that put overall registered players at levels equitable to soccer in this country. The AFL increase in participation in the last few years - mainly via female participation. The FFA had their female participation boost during the 2000s. It's certainly a demographic to 'mine'.....'exploit'......to seek to attrack and provide options for. And yes - you're correctly mentioned NZ and QLD. Currently 2 NRLW sides are Sydney based.....and let's say you went to 6 teams..... a 2nd in QLD and a 3rd in NSW? Look - I even look up at Newcastle....6 womens teams playing 1 division for "tackle" (I'm seriously not counting 'tag' here). The comparison.....AFL Hunter/Central cost had in 2020 15 womens teams over 2 divisions. NSW is only home to one AFLW side (GWS Giants). I suspect your position would be that the AFL was putting cart before the horse were it to bring a Swans AFLW side into the comp???? Athletes from other sports - - and that's fine; and doable very early days......obvioulsy the RL-RU symbiosis allows that transition pretty well anytime (similar to AFL-Gaelic). The challenge though - - is as I've said earlier - - at semi-pro; it can be very difficult getting the balance right. And increasing the size of the competition plus increasing the time requirement of the competition - - for "semi-pro" athletes; many have got real jobs so relocation can be a big challenge. There's a lot of considerations - - - that don't necessarily come into the picture when talking fulltime professionals. Good luck to the NRLW if they try to go aggressively. And perhaps there's a perfect relationship.......R7s Olympic representation and NRLW semi-pro representation.....best of both worlds?