It's War - AFL To Attack NRL Heartland

[King-Eliagh]

Financially ~ There are 9 NRL clubs in Sydney at this stage, most have massive League's clubs to support them. When rationalisation of the Sydney area in the NRL reaches the ultimate number of clubs, they will turn into very strong and sustainable organisations.

You mean the same rugby league clubs that claim any increase in the NSW pokie tax will mean their demise and the end of rugby league in NSW?

And ah in this statement here you seem to be referring to the nrl clubs as being somewhat less than wealthy whereas now you have taken a turn? I just dont understand. Please explain beaussie?

[Beaussie]

OMG, for crying out loud you clearly haven't understood what I was pointing out. I was merely posting the same line the NRL clubs use time and again whenever there is talk of an increase in the pokies tax.

Scare tatics (no more cheap drinks, food, contributions to local sporting teams etc etc) employed by the clubs have failed and they will finally pay their fair share of tax without going bust.

I'm sure we'll still see the new fountains and rainforests in the foyers as poker machine profits have not decreased, but rather continued to increase. Clubs continue to prosper and as a result should be made to contribute more to the wider community. It's only fair I think. You know it makes sense.

[Glory and Fame]

That double header got something around 110,000 a few years back didnt it? A double header yes but is it a record that still stands?

That was at the first ever event held at Stadium Australia, in the lead-up to the Olympics. Most of the crowd were there for curiosity value to check out the stadium and because it was an "event" to be seen at.
None of the competing clubs drew anywhere near 20,000 for their next game.

[Beaussie]

That double header got something around 110,000 a few years back didnt it? A double header yes but is it a record that still stands?

That was at the first ever event held at Stadium Australia, in the lead-up to the Olympics. Most of the crowd were there for curiosity value to check out the stadium and because it was an "event" to be seen at.
None of the competing clubs drew anywhere near 20,000 for their next game.

Spot on G&F. To get a real sense of what kind of crowds rugby league matches get in Sydney at Telstra Stadium, just look at this pic taken at a Bulldogs home game last season:



The Bulldogs were last year's premiers too weren't they? How can the NRL ever seriously compete with the AFL? Willie Mason looks very lonely out there. :_<>

[Glasgow Celtic]

$20m raid into NRL heartland
By Cameron Bell
March 6, 2005
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,86 ... 14,00.html


THE AFL is planning to launch an audacious $20 million raid into rugby league's heartland and build momentum to launch a second Sydney team.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Telegraph, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said expanding the game in NSW was a huge part of his code's strategic plan.

The grand vision of the AFL is to eventually have a second Sydney team based in the west and playing home games out of Telstra Stadium.

Currently, the AFL is putting $8.5 million into the code in NSW and, with the game's broadcast rights set to be renegotiated for a huge price at the end of the year, the AFL is going to be flushed with cash to embark on a big invasion into enemy territory.

"What we are spending at the moment in NSW and Sydney is really not enough," Demetriou said. "We are obviously hoping for a positive outcome from the broadcast rights and that will enable us to spend substantially more in NSW and Sydney from next year."

Asked how much more, Demetriou remained coy.

"Substantially more usually means a lot more," he said.

But the money will at least be doubled as the AFL looks to creep up on league and union - still the two main codes in Sydney and NSW.

Demetriou said the AFL wasn't about to dream about becoming the No1 code in town.

"We have no illusions about knocking off the rugby codes and we understand and respect what rugby league means to the people of NSW ... almost as much as what AFL means to people in Melbourne," he said.

"Rugby union and soccer also have a significant presence.

"But this is all about finding a niche and I'm sure Sydney is a big enough city to cater for

all the different football codes."

The multi-million dollar investment into Sydney will primarily be used to build new AFL facilities, upgrade existing ones, set up a genuine schools competition and foster the grass-roots area of the game.

"At the moment, we are struggling getting the game into schools," Demetriou said. "We want to shore up our investment in teenagers in an effort to attract the best athletes to our game.

"We are also planning on working with local governments in looking at new facilities."

Demetriou praised the efforts of the Swans in developing the game in NSW and bringing a new generation of followers to the code. He has no doubt Sydney will one day be big enough to cater for two AFL teams.

"At some stage in the future, Sydney will have a second team," he said. "But we are thrilled with our investment at Telstra Stadium and, strategically, that has been a very good move for us.

"I'm not saying a second team will happen during my term.

"But Sydney is one of the single biggest sporting markets in the world. First of all, we've got to shore up the success of the Swans and if you are going to introduce a team, it has to be at the right time.

"I think, down the track, there can be some very healthy competition between the Swans and a second Sydney team."

NRL chief executive David Gallop said he took the rival code's endeavours seriously.

"But the success we've had over the last few years has also enabled us to pump millions of extra dollars into grass-roots rugby league," Gallop said.

"As a result, we've seen a huge increase in the game's numbers - especially in western Sydney.

"We have to keep our eye on the ball and ensure we remain the dominant code in our heartland.

"In regards to a second team in Sydney, it's their decision and obviously there is a lot of pressure in Melbourne given the amount of teams they have based there."

The Sunday Telegraph

This is exactly the type of news I love hearing coming out of AFL HQ. Time to strike with new teams in Western Sydney and on the Gold Coast. Your time is up NRL. :<>

each time you strike rugby, they hit you 10x as hard....FACT

[Beaussie]

each time you strike rugby, they hit you 10x as hard....FACT

Care to explain that? Oh yes, the Melbourne Storm are a raging success for rugby league in Victoria. NOT!

As for rugby union, well, they're still talking about the concept of a national competition being established. Even soccer is ahead of them in that area.

All the signs for the AFL in NSW and QLD are looking very positive with increased junior participation, tv audiences, crowds, memberships corporate support and merchandise. Hardly a case of as you put it rugby striking back 10x as hard. If that was really the case, why is it that things like junior numbers, crowds etc continue to grow?