Thanks Adam for that information. I remember hearing something about Bellerive not being suitable but wasn’t sure what the reasons were. Some of it (transport wise) sounds like what went on at Waverley Park. The lights would make sense and would be better closer to the city. Something like Docklands might minimise the light issue as well. However, we will see what comes of it. Thanks again.

The Stadium will not only host the Tasmanian Devils, it will be used for other things as well. Such as concerts, cricket, etc. which would benefit from a roof. Does it need a roof? That’s debatable. Do they need the new stadium, possibly. It comes down to doing the upgrade, and possibly having to do it again in the near future (remember the Gabba has been upgraded recently and they were talking about demolishing it), or starting from scratch.
The “Sponsors” as you put it need to be looked after so that they continue to support the game/stadium/Tasmania in general. It is not all about the AFL. The Government at the time agreed to the new stadium and prescient. It would be interesting to see what you say about the goings on in Brisbane with the Olympics and the reports into the upgrading/building of stadiums in Tasmania https://theconversation.com/devils-in-the-detail-an-economist-argues-the-case-for-a-tasmanian-afl-team-and-new-stadium-204678
Whether it is the right thing for Tasmania is not an easy answer.

Well you do – all comments are about AFL and NRL getting funding, and they aren’t international sports, no one cares about them, etc.. IT is exactly what people think. The idea that, many “Football only followers” can’t except that other codes in this country out do them on so many levels is laughable. While Football is the “World game” and number 1 in most countries, it isn’t here or in the US, NZ either, it is at best the 3rd ranking amongst the 4 codes played here. And you know what, it can survive and thrive if they get their act together. Learn from the other codes instead of sitting back hoping things will change.

You misunderstood – that thinking that it is the World Game leads to apathy when it comes to garnering funding and support. They need to behave differently, especially when it comes to funding that everyone is complaining about. It is that thought that prevents them from getting what they want to get, because they believe they should get money just because it is the World Game. They don’t want to change tack, then you need to stop complaining. I’m invested in the World Game (kids and myself), same as with AFL and to a lesser extant NRL.

Hi Mike, it is a bit disingenuous to compare an International game to the local game (either the NRL or AFL). Our National teams will always draw large crowds. However, you have hit the nail on the head – Football need to act as one when it comes to funding, something the AFL and NRL do very well. The other thing they need to get in order is the cost of juniors, something again the other codes do very well. Government Funding would work here as well. They also need to start acting as if they are a smaller sport, not this “we are the World game, they will come” attitude. Another area to target is Local Governments – local grounds for Football aren’t great. Start small – think Big.

Hi AR, this is what most people complaining about Funding for Football don’t understand. Geelong FC (Kardinia Park) is often complained about being Tax funded, however, they (Geelong), the AFL contribute to the funding. Yes Geelong benefits the most, but so does the local TAFE. There are other beneficiaries as it is a public space with a tenant. The local league has played their finals there. The Geelong Cricket Club plays out of there, the BBL has been there, so have Western United (and I think they should make it their base as well – at least it is a stadium unlike Tarneit). It is a convention centre as well. The point being it is open for public use as well as the AFL. That is why they got a bulk of tax money (and being in a swing seat at both State and Federal levels). Why can’t the APL/FA do the same like you said? It is really frustrating for many, but only one group can ultimately make anything work.

Exactly, but all of the parties involved in making decisions need to agree on 1 place and 1 thing to get done. I know someone at state level on that states board and they say they have too many requests at one time. Choose one, get funding (and fund partly as well), then move onto the next request. It may take a decade, but that is better than what is going on now.

But he has a point. The APL & Co. maybe better investing in Adelaide (or Perth for that matter). They are two cities crying out for more top level sport. They could possible get more funding from the Government if they commit to Hindmarsh or in Perth. The other option is to open up the AIS again in Canberra.
Most carry on about the NRL & AFL getting money, but they also heavily invest in their codes and infrastructure. They were both broke at some stage (it’s the reason the VFL became the AFL through expansion) and the controlling bodies are the ones in charge, the codes is united (clubs follow regardless of agreeing or not). Football doesn’t seem to work that way, they need to pick one thing (like a base) and rally funding for that and that only first and foremost instead of trying to get multiply things apply for funding. Too many fingers in the pie, leaves less pie for others.
You are likely to say I’m not a Football follower because I follow other sports as well (yes the AFL and NRL) that I don’t know anything, but I believe that is half the problem – rejecting ideas from others. The “their is only one” attitude hurts a sport more than grows it. The game loses too many young talents to other sports because of the attitude of football clubs, and I am speaking from experience.

ah Tom Lynch in the first quarter got a front on contact free when Rioli ran into him. Who does Rioli play for?

Thanks Ferret, didn’t know that.

Like you said – NRL will pay a 16y.o. to sign a contract, a very big lure to some. Union doesn’t (or can’t) pay for 16y.o.

So a bit like Warner since his return from suspension? Poor form most of the time and scored the odd ton.

I’m not surprised when we have compromised our summer for the BBL. Then allowed the big names to skip shield games because of the workload they choose to take on.
I would rather Starc bowling at Shield level (and the others) than “resting” and having a bowl in the nets. Same goes for the batters. Doing well in the Nets is not the same as being out there in the middle where your wicket (or bowling) doesn’t have the same price on it.

Where do you get the figures from? Actually mention the site, else why would people believe it. Figures given are an estimate anyway based on a system of boxes attached to TV’s (not everyone who turns on a TV is recorded). You aren’t allowed to ask for the box in case they are tainted figures.

A couple of other things to consider
1. There are no overlapping games in the NRL – I can watch every game without flicking channels
2. NRL GF is at night in Prime Time, compared to day for the AFL.
3. It isn’t just the number of games that are available to watch live, it is how the advertising can be fit in as well. More opportunity for advertising in the AFL than the NRL. If it was just about the viewing figures, why would FTA and Pay dish out so much money for the AFL (given the figures you mention)
4. Why doesn’t the NRL have FTA on a Saturday?
5. “Bums on seats” is a very good indicator, as it shows who is actually willing to turn up to the game. It also creates an atmosphere to help with TV.

But Stokes will be happy to take the wicket on Umpire’s Call and not complain – otherwise morally he should revoke the wicket and say I don’t believe in the Umpire’s Call when England use the DRS. There have been many times that Stokes and England have benefitted from Umpire’s Call.

Well we can disagree, I think it plays some part in the performance. As I said, they don’t attack the stumps enough and it goes back to the Ashes at least.
The pitches this summer have not been the batting tracks in past summers. And I thought we were in trouble after the first day in Brisbane when Lyon and Starc mentioned it was a great red ball pitch, not a pink ball. So what? You have to play to the conditions better. Maybe that is why we struggle in India and other parts of the world.

Our bowlers have constantly let us down this summer in the first innings
1st Test v Pakistan – 6/195 to 10/271
2nd Test v Pakistan – 6/170 to 10/264
3rd Test v Pakistan – 5/96 to 10/313

1st Test v West Indies – 6/108 to 10/188
2nd Test v West Indies – 5/65 to 10/311

Our bowlers don’t attack the stumps when it comes to tail enders. IT cost us in the Ashes as well.

It’s all good to blame the batters, but the bowlers have let us down just as much.

Exactly – the Shield hiatus due to the BBL has in part (I believe) led to this. No more out of form guys going back to play a Shield match or tow while the test series is on. Which also means no-one is putting pressure on the players in the team getting runs/wickets at Shield level. The lack of trust in other bowlers who aren’t as quick (or dare I say it not from NSW), is mind blowing. Pace isn’t everything – swing bowling is treated with disdain by our selectors (unless you are Mitch Starc, but he has pace and can be unplayable). Neser is an example of a bowler who should have been rewarded more, especially at the Gabba and any D?N test. The lack of variety (and by the looks of it pace) is becoming an Achilles heal. Agree on giving Lance Morris a go, even Spencer Johnson. As for batters, while Bancroft has scored heavily, I personally am not 100% convinced, Renshaw has had limit opportunities to play because he is in the Test squad.

The talk of Fraser-McGurk is also telling about the selectors. Great young player, especially in the White-ball game, but Neser has a better average and scored more runs from 2 less innings. Undeniable talent, but Victoria didn’t offer him a contract so he moved to SA.

It is hard, as you want to reward players for putting runs on the board or taking wickets, but at the same time, we have to look at white-ball current form in our test summer.

Having been there Boxing Day, I can say many were in the bars (Members area). They were packed from the start of play until at least 3pm with the rain looking like it was settling in.
This is something that is often forgotten when people are watching on TV. I’m not saying the figure is right or wrong, just that what you see on TV doesn’t show everyone at the ground.

Do you remember the Steve Waugh catch on the MCG where he nearly ran I yo Merv Hughes and then ran behind the sight s reef when it was still on wheels on the ground? If I remember correctly there was debate in that catch because the sight screen was part of the boundary, so he had left the playing field.

Or Cats legend Ben Cunnington…
Shouldn’t it be Isaac Smith

Same here in Sydney, it is all League – do you object to that?
As for Melbourne, I suggest you head out West. There is at least one school associated with the Storm. It is not brainwashing (as you call it), it is the biggest game in town. The Private schools have a Union comp as well. League also doesn’t invest in the area very much either. Big retailers – you mean Rebel? They stock all the codes, some more than others depending on where the store is.

And this is the attitude that holds codes back – we are in a battle, the enemy code, etc. Grow up – you don’t like a sport, then why make those comments. If your code is good enough it will survive and thrive. The whole HIGHLANDER approach just shows more of an insecurity than anything else.

Also League can sign them at 16 which helps, put enough money in front of young kids and families, they will sign.

Maybe the fielding side is required to ready to start the next over within say 5mins of the previous starting with consideration as per normal with dismissals, etc.. The same goes for the batters to be ready as well.
Yes the bowling side get penalised, but it doesn’t happen every game due to a variety of reasons. So the penalty would be better.
For the penalty, maybe try something like the following:
If the bowling side is not ready, give a no-ball and free hit to the batting side. For the batters, it make it something like taking a ball off the over – i.e. 5 balls instead of 6 if batting second, or for every time they are not ready when batting first, the first ball of the first over is a no-ball free hit (and continues until they have paid the penalty).