Why Dont AFL or Union Players Convert to Rugby League?

Which is the best football code? Here you can have it out with other football fans.
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Why Dont AFL or Union Players Convert to Rugby League?

Post by King-Eliagh »

It's always interested me why league players are poached by other codes like AFL and RU but never the other way round? In my opinion the reasons are simple Aussie Rules and Union players just don't cut the mustard in terms of physical strength and speed. They just couldnt adapt and would not be worth the time.

The generally taller and skinny AFL players would be cut in two by even the smallest league players on the paddock. They have much less speed as they require more endurance on the bigger paddock. While the silver spoons up the bottoms of the private school rugby union toffs seems to make them much slower and less aggressive. Their tackling would be inefficient, they would be simply run over the top of by the superior league players.

On top of this i think union and aussie rules players would most probably be quite scared on a league field. The bravey required would be something that cant be coached or trained leaving the aussie rules and union players worthless.


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Post by Beaussie »

Oh dear, perhaps in future you should do your research. I suggest a quick google search.

Ever heard of Dally Messenger?

There are many more big name examples on the following page.

Fair dinkum. Give yourself an upper cut. :roll:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pl ... ugby_union

There are many players who have converted from one football code to another or even changed from other sports at a professional or representational level.

In some countries, such as the United Kingdom or Australia where multiple codes are popular and the practice of switching codes is relatively common they are known simply as a code convert.[1] In Australia star code converts can have a substantial impact on the football codes. For instance, Dally Messenger's defection from rugby union to rugby league was considered a pivotal moment in the establishment of the latter code over other codes in Australia.

Australian rules football to rugby league

Early in the history of the two codes in Australia, players would interchange the codes and even had discussions of merging them into a single game.[10] Rugby league has since evolved to specialise in physicality and body type making it more difficult for successful conversion between the two, although it does sometimes happen at junior level and in areas where both codes are played. League great Darren Lockyer played Aussie Rules at a junior level in Queensland,[11] as did Marcus Bai in Papua New Guinea. Players of both codes at Junior levels have included Peter Sterling[citation needed] (League) and Paul Kelly (AFL). Greg Brentnall played Australian Football in Riverina in the 1960s before turning down an offer to play in the VFL/AFL and switching to rugby league taking up a contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 1972.


Australian rules football to rugby union

As in rugby league and Australian rules, early in the history of the two codes in Australia the two codes were interchangeable[citation needed]. There is a much greater divide today. Jason Akermanis was the first professional Australian football player to suggest a switch to rugby union.[7] Nevertheless, there are still some positions and roles that have commonalities (particularly those that involve kicking and catching such as the backs and second row in rugby union; half forwards and rucks in Australian Rules).[8] Also at amateur level, conversion is quite common, as in the case of many start-up Australian Rules clubs in countries such as France[9] and developing Aussie Rules countries such as New Zealand and Samoa where there are dual-internationals at junior level.
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Post by King-Eliagh »

Beaussie your first point has some relevance however it is more dated than the home page images on this website. Dally Messenger played rugby union and league when both were AMATEUR sports beaussie. People played for different reasons and the rugby codes were very different games back then with very different ideals and skill levels associated with playing.

I'm referring to these days beaussie not before 1908! And all these other players you have cited played in JUNIOR football. Again you cite very different leagues to the professional ones I am obviously referring to beaussie, ie the NRL, AFL and ARU.

So lets get off your little rant and get back to the big question once more shall we.

"It's always interested me why league players are poached by other codes like AFL and RU but never the other way round?"

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Post by Beaussie »

My god, did you even click on the link. Seriously. Go look at Rugby Union to Rugby League. Fair dinkum. :roll:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pl ... ugby_union
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Post by King-Eliagh »

I think this quote from the link you give makes my point.

"Until 1995 union was "officially amateur" and union players were offered money to switch codes. That trend has since reversed."

:compress:

So let me rephrase my original question for you beaussie.

Its always interested me that since the years RU AFL and ARL/NRL ALL became professional why Rugby League players are poached by the other codes but never the other way round?

Beaussie you are obviously well aware of the trend, your dumb wikileaks link even quoted it. So please answer the question I have posed objectively young man.


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Post by MarkZZZ »

K E I think the main reason why you don't get AFL players switching to NRL is partially due to the physicality of the NRL but a bigger reason would be money. I'm sure there is probably one or two AFL players that may be able to make the switch but why would they if they get paid so much doing what they do.
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Post by King-Eliagh »

Yes Mark I agree and already stated that Union and Aussie Rules players would lack the speed, agility, and be basically cut in two on a league field.

I really dont know what you're getting at with the money issue? As far as I'm aware the salaries are pretty similar between AFL and NRL players??

I dont agree that 1 0r 2 AFL players could successfully make the switch. From my experience playing League at school, and then Union and Aussie Rules at club level I found the skills needed for Aussie Rules to be fairly simple to pick up, after a few months I was comfortable with all the skills and felt at ease on the field. Really enjoyed it On the other hand if I had only played AFL and switched to league tackling a 110kg brute running at speed and with the intent of knocking me flat on my ass would have sucked. It's a skill which I believe needs years and years of training and is the reason why no AFL player could handle rubgy league.
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Post by TLPG »

All I can say to that is BULL!

You know the real readon why AFL players don't go to rugby? Because they aren't thugs! I call league thugby for a good bloody reason! You call it a tough man's game. I call it legal assault.

You want a reason why there are no converts? Common sense, that's what!
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Post by King-Eliagh »

:lol:

Thanks for confirming the real toughness of Rugby League TPLG. I really like the term "legal assault". It's a ferocious sport I know, and this is why I love it!!! :D

Now tell me what would you prefer, watching an AFL melee :lol: or watching a league fight? To be fair league fights are generally pretty funny also as most of them are not really trained in boxing but at least they have a go. "Legal assault indeed!!! <>'

We all love violence and i for one think its fantastic a violent sport like league is legal. It gives youth something to do and an avenue to let out their aggression. <>' :)

Unfortunately the AFL players may not have this avenue and it seems to result in their players expressing themselves in very unmanly ways, such as Nick Riewolts constant crying. This I think is really bad for young boys to see and really should be dealt with more harshly than those who get into fights on the field. Atleast 3 weeks off the pitch I reckon.

Anyway we've gone off the point here. TPLG can you answer objectively whether AFL players COULD (not should) transfer to League as easily as Karmichael Hunt has to AFL?
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Post by TLPG »

Thanks for confirming I was right to call rugby thugby. You love violence, right? You get that in thugby. You DON'T get that (or rather you shouldn't) in AFL because it attracts fines and suspensions. Doesn't happen in thugby even when punches are thrown. That's what I meant by legal assault.

If I want to watch violence, I'll watch boxing or UFC. That's just as legal. Boxing is actually better for venting than team sport of any variety. It's regulated better at amateur level and shits on thugby for safety.

There's nothing wrong with some emotion. Even some rugby guys have done it so don't call it what you think it is because it's not.

The answer to your question is NO. Not now. Because the great game of real football has been cleaned up and is the true sport for men. Thugs play rugby. AFL players are not thugs and therefore could not play rugby league or union. Like I said - common sense. Karmichael Hunt is yet to make his mark.
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Post by King-Eliagh »

Yes TPLF, I love 'legal' violence. In fact there is plenty of it in AFL. If you were to give someone a solid hip and shoulder on the street you could easily seriously injure someone. I think you love violence too TLPG...or when you see a solid hit on the footy field do you respond by saying "oh dear, i wish they werent so violent, we should change the rules so this game is more similar to netball, violence is bad".

Unfortunately AFL is getting closer and closer to a non contact sport each year and I for one think its disgraceful. I say you'd agree that often the element of unsafety in the sport adds massively to AFL's appeal. In NRL this is just at another level and letting players off for a dust up is one of the best things in the sport, although it doesnt happen all the time...

If AFL is cleaned up any more it will be more suitable to boys like justin bieber than men. I dont think this could be called 'common sense'.

Your thugs/thugby remarks are old hat and irrelevant to the debate.

I do agree though, Karmichael Hunt has yet to make his mark...but he's there and not looking too out of place, as an AFL player would in Rugby League.
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Post by TLPG »

Hip and shoulders, when done correctly, are safe as houses. Shoulder to shoulder is the same. The only danger is when something is done incorrectly - which happens more often in thugby than it does in football because the thugs care less about it because the aim in thugby is the man. The aim in football is the ball, and those who don't play the ball are penalised. I should know. I'm an experience field umpire. My references to rugby as thugby are valid and for you to call them irrelevant shows how little you really know about football.
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Post by King-Eliagh »

"Safe as houses". All I can say is BULL :lol:

And you make hip and shoulders sound so clinical as though it is always easy on the field to make perfect contact 'shoulder to shoulder' while running or flying at speed. Typical umpire talk.

A solid shoulder can easily dislocate another mans shoulder, this is violent and unfortunate but without solid shoulders in the sport, it would be less entertaining.

For a lot of the time, the aim in aussie rules is also the man. You watch any grand final and the first quarter will almost always highlight how each team wants to intimidate the other physically to get the upper hand. Its basic psychological domination through physical supremacy.

Your references to rugby as thugby cannot be validated no more than those who call AFL gayfl cannot be validated. Smell the pumpkins TP... Smell em :-({|=
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Post by TLPG »

You've got no idea. Absolutely no idea. :-({|= back at you for accuracy
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Post by King-Eliagh »

TP that's great you're an experienced ump but have you played Aussie Rules before? Other than a bit of kick to kick with mates I mean. And if you did did you go at the ball hard? On your posts above I would have to answer no :lol:
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