Why the NRL’s numbers don’t add up

[Fred]

I think the reason to go to Perth, or one of them, is the fact that it is indeed an Aussie rules town with minimal rl - that’s the point - to grow the game and interest in it. It’s the same reason AFL needs to be in western Sydney. I do t think the nrl are trying to take over - just develop a niche market similar to Melbourne or wha the swans and lions have in their cities.

[azif]

I think the reason to go to Perth, or one of them, is the fact that it is indeed an Aussie rules town with minimal rl - that’s the point - to grow the game and interest in it. It’s the same reason AFL needs to be in western Sydney. I do t think the nrl are trying to take over - just develop a niche market similar to Melbourne .

They're chalk & cheese fwed

When was the last time a grants game got 60K to a game in Western Sydney without the swines playing ?

the sold out origin in Perth in 2 weeks will be RL's 3rd since 2019
the NRL is an easy sell to Perth , the city has an abundance of " normal" people who already followed the game & have zip interest in fumbling & missing

Western Sydney has no fumbleball fans .... none & even after 13 years of extra assistance , leg ups & success for the grants
they still have
sweet F all ,
GWS has been a spectacular ... extraordinary failure

[makingnrlfansgowacko]

I think the reason to go to Perth, or one of them, is the fact that it is indeed an Aussie rules town with minimal rl - that’s the point - to grow the game and interest in it. It’s the same reason AFL needs to be in western Sydney. I do t think the nrl are trying to take over - just develop a niche market similar to Melbourne .

They're chalk & cheese fwed

When was the last time a grants game got 60K to a game in Western Sydney without the swines playing ?

the sold out origin in Perth in 2 weeks will be RL's 3rd since 2019
the NRL is an easy sell to Perth , the city has an abundance of " normal" people who already followed the game & have zip interest in fumbling & missing

Western Sydney has no fumbleball fans .... none & even after 13 years of extra assistance , leg ups & success for the grants
they still have
sweet F all ,
GWS has been a spectacular ... extraordinary failure

double headers in of the NRL in Perth do not sell out and you must remember there is a large expat number from he UK and SA and very little support for League and Union at grass roots levels


you mock the AFL in western Sydney yet more kids from western Sydney have played or playing AFL at the highest level than kids recruited from Melbourne to play for the Storm or NRL in general

again when more people show up to a game than apparently watch on tv something you like to point out then ignore the case for the Storm, is a unless indication

[azif]

I think the reason to go to Perth, or one of them, is the fact that it is indeed an Aussie rules town with minimal rl - that’s the point - to grow the game and interest in it. It’s the same reason AFL needs to be in western Sydney. I do t think the nrl are trying to take over - just develop a niche market similar to Melbourne .

They're chalk & cheese fwed

When was the last time a grants game got 60K to a game in Western Sydney without the swines playing ?

the sold out origin in Perth in 2 weeks will be RL's 3rd since 2019
the NRL is an easy sell to Perth , the city has an abundance of " normal" people who already followed the game & have zip interest in fumbling & missing

Western Sydney has no fumbleball fans .... none & even after 13 years of extra assistance , leg ups & success for the grants
they still have
sweet F all ,
GWS has been a spectacular ... extraordinary failure

double headers in of the NRL in Perth do not sell out and you must remember there is a large expat number from he UK and SA and very little support for League and Union at grass roots levels


you mock the AFL in western Sydney yet more kids from western Sydney have played or playing AFL at the highest level than kids recruited from Melbourne to play for the Storm or NRL in general

again when more people show up to a game than apparently watch on tv something you like to point out then ignore the case for the Storm, is a unless indication

you mock the AFL in western Sydney yet more kids from western Sydney have played or playing AFL at the highest level than kids recruited from Melbourne to play for the Storm or NRL in general

trust an AI spambot to post complete garbage

derpball is the least played sport in Western Sydney
like
girls flicking their beans is more popular
While 5000 Melbournians play RL



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/AFL/a ... g-NRL.html

Shocking figures reveal the AFL's $200million push into western Sydney is FAILING - with calls for the league to help the GWS Giants land Dustin Martin
New figures show that just one per cent of western Sydney residents play AFL
The Giants have slumped to 15th on the AFL ladder and their coach has quit
Despite a $200 million AFL cash injection, AFL is last of 11 sports followed
Former Swans boss warns the NRL's $800 million stadiums project will bury AFL
By JOSH ALSTON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 14:59 AEST, 14 May 2022 | Updated: 15:03 AEST, 14 May 2022

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New statistics reveal the AFL's massive push into the western suburbs has been a categoric failure with soccer and NRL-sanctioned sports smashing the GWS Giants in nearly every area.

Figures revealed by The Weekend Australian have revealed that just one per cent of participants in sport in the important Parramatta heartland are playing Aussie Rules, compared to a staggering 47 per cent participation rate in soccer and 24 per cent in rugby league when touch football and Oztag are included.

Of 11 sports covered in the participation rates, Aussie Rules sits dead last.

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It's a hugely disappointing finding considering the AFL has tipped an estimated $200million into the region over the last decade in a bid to gain ground on sports like rugby league and soccer.

Isaac Cumming of the Giants looks dejected after defeat during the round eight AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Geelong Cats
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Isaac Cumming of the Giants looks dejected after defeat during the round eight AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Geelong Cats

Dustin Martin (seen taking a mark against Hawthorn in their round nine clash) has ties to Sydney and has been connected to a move to the Giants. If he switched it would give the game a huge boost in the area, like Buddy Franklin's move to the Swans
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Dustin Martin (seen taking a mark against Hawthorn in their round nine clash) has ties to Sydney and has been connected to a move to the Giants. If he switched it would give the game a huge boost in the area, like Buddy Franklin's move to the Swans

The Panthers players celebrate winning the NRL Grand Final between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane
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The Panthers players celebrate winning the NRL Grand Final between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane

Dustin Martin has been connected to a possible move to the Giants. The Richmond superstar lived in Sydney for a year as teenager and is reportedly increasingly fond of life in the city, where he recently spent a month training with Paul Gallen while on personal leave from footy.

Speaking earlier this month, GWS chief executive David Matthews said Martin was a 'genuine superstar of our game' and noted several players had opted to leave Melbourne for the harbour city.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has ruled out giving GWS any financial help to land Martin, but the findings about the game's failings in western Sydney could force the league to revise that stance.

While the numbers at grassroots level are shocking, the performance of the top flight team the GWS Giants is hardly inspiring in 2022, either. The club sits 15th on the ladder and has just parted ways with coach Leon Cameron.

In contrast, the Penrith Panthers won the 2021 NRL premiership, Parramatta contested the finals and the Western Sydney Wanderers were A-League champions in their first season, Asian Cup winners in their second and are perennial finalists that attract huge crowds.

The AFL continues to pump money into the region to boost the sport's profile and participation with seven new AFL facilities constructed and upgrades approved for 13 other clubs in the last decade.

Wanderers fans are highly passionate and almost half of all sports participants in Parramatta are choosing soccer over AFL and rugby league
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Wanderers fans are highly passionate and almost half of all sports participants in Parramatta are choosing soccer over AFL and rugby league

Former Sydney Swans chairman Richard Colless said the AFL had seriously underestimated rugby league heartlands in NSW and believes the code has ignored key regions including the Hunter Valley and Illawarra - where 27 per cent of the Australian population he lives.

Colless warned that the NRL's $800million war chest to develop suburban grounds could be a hammer blow to Aussie Rules participation in the state.

'This is the world rugby league heartland and I fear the AFL may have massively underestimated the power and craftiness of rugby league,' he said.

'I reckon if all suburban grounds are materially upgraded and with no draft it will lead to greater local links being created. It will be back to the good old days [for the NRL].'

Mitchell Moses of the Eels celebrates winning the round nine NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at BlueBet Stadium
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Mitchell Moses of the Eels celebrates winning the round nine NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at BlueBet Stadium

Despite the damning figures, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the Giants are 'a success story'.

'The Giants have unquestionably been a success story for our game and in the broader Australian sporting landscape with three teams across men's and women's elite sport and while they have reached great heights on-field, they have also continued to expand their footprint at an extraordinary rate,' he said.

'Given the base the club has built in new territory in just 11 years, there is no doubt it is going to be a very powerful and large club attracting generations of fans for decades to come.'

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The critical next step for GWS will be appointing their next coach after mutually parting ways with Leon Cameron during the week.

AFL journalist Daily Barrett believes former Hawthorn premiership-winner Alastair Clarkson is 'the obvious choice'.

'What [Cameron's resignation] does to is allow this club to officially have these conversations with Alastair Clarkson and no other club can do that,' Barrett said on AFL Daily.

'One thing I do think I know of him, he's not going to even personally take the call from a football club with a coach in place, particularly so with someone he's had something to do with - I am referring to Stewart Dew at the Gold Coast there.

'Clarkson ultimately sat 2022 out, he's not going to be sitting 2023 out. He will be coaching next year and right now … it will be at the vacancy and right now the vacancy is the one that made the decision yesterday.'

Former Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson is a lead contender for the vacant GWS job
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Former Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson is a lead contender for the vacant GWS job

However another key contender is disgraced former Essendon coach James Hird, who is likely to throw his hat in the ring with the AFL's blessing.

McLachlan said on 3AW this week that the AFL would not block Hird's ascension to the head coaching role at GWS, where he is currently working in a mentoring capacity.

'He has wanted to come back into football to an extent, but there is absolutely no reason [why the AFL would stop him from coaching].

'They [GWS] want the right coach to take them forward.

'Whether they're a brand coach like Leigh Matthews or Clarkson, the club will work through what their playing group needs.'

Hird is already working as a mentor at the Giants and has been given approval to apply for the vacant head coaching role following his role in the Essendon Bombers supplements scandal
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Hird is already working as a mentor at the Giants and has been given approval to apply for the vacant head coaching role following his role in the Essendon Bombers supplements scandal

SEN and Channel 7 commentator and former Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney endorsed Hird for the job.

Cooney was convinced to join Essendon in hsi playing career rather than North Melbourne because of his relationship with Hird and Cooney believes he is the right man to turn around the Giants' misfortunes.

'If he walks into GWS, he'd be a great coach. He's a great person,' Cooney told Channel 7.

'What happened in the past was horrible for him and everyone at Essendon and he has to take accountability for that.

'But do you think he is going to come into GWS and set up a new supplement plan? Of course he's not.

'He's a good coach, he's a good thinker and he's great with people. He's learned those lessons in the past.'

[azif]

Turdballs GWS grants
Australian sports most spectacular failures

[azif]

NRLs double header crowds
47500 (2023)
10 grants crowds in Western Sydney

38500 (2018)
8 grants crowds in Western Sydney

31500(2025)
6 grants crowds in Western Sydney

multiple sellouts at HBF over the years .......

spambot
a bowl of porridge has more of an idea

[makingnrlfansgowacko]

so thats a no you cant reply!

more people from western Sydney play or have played AFL than kids from Victoria! so grass roots for AFL in western Sydney is rapidly out growing League in Melbourne!

one of games are different than regular weekend events. look at the lack of people that play league in WA! btw double headers! LMAO
expats from the UK and SA will watch the odd game, thats about all

[azif]

so thats a no you cant reply!

more people from western Sydney play or have played AFL than kids from Victoria! so grass roots for AFL in western Sydney is rapidly out growing League in Melbourne!

one of games are different than regular weekend events. look at the lack of people that play league in WA! btw double headers! LMAO
expats from the UK and SA will watch the odd game, thats about all

I did reply spambot , you gormless twit
almost no one stumbles fumbles & misses in singlets in Western Sydney .... its behind every sport in that region including synchronized farting


RL has multi times more players in Dumbourne

[makingnrlfansgowacko]

so thats a no you cant reply!

more people from western Sydney play or have played AFL than kids from Victoria! so grass roots for AFL in western Sydney is rapidly out growing League in Melbourne!

one of games are different than regular weekend events. look at the lack of people that play league in WA! btw double headers! LMAO
expats from the UK and SA will watch the odd game, thats about all

I did reply spambot , you gormless twit
almost no one stumbles fumbles & misses in singlets in Western Sydney .... its behind every sport in that region including synchronized farting


RL has multi times more players in Dumbourne

more players have been recruited from Western Sydney than players from Melbourne despite the Storm being round far longer than that says a lot about how things are going at grass roots level! i know it doesn't suit your argument and you will ignore it and dribble out the usual non sense! they are the facts as much as you dont want to believe it

[azif]

so thats a no you cant reply!

more people from western Sydney play or have played AFL than kids from Victoria! so grass roots for AFL in western Sydney is rapidly out growing League in Melbourne!

one of games are different than regular weekend events. look at the lack of people that play league in WA! btw double headers! LMAO
expats from the UK and SA will watch the odd game, thats about all

I did reply spambot , you gormless twit
almost no one stumbles fumbles & misses in singlets in Western Sydney .... its behind every sport in that region including synchronized farting


RL has multi times more players in Dumbourne

more players have been recruited from Western Sydney than players from Melbourne despite the Storm being round far longer than that says a lot about how things are going at grass roots level! i know it doesn't suit your argument and you will ignore it and dribble out the usual non sense! they are the facts as much as you dont want to believe it

sure they have spambot
sure

a turd milkshake
more appealing then the derps & noodle arms in Western Sydney

[Fred]

I had to look that up whacko - and did a quick search


AI gave me this (so take it with the skepticism that comes with using AI as a source).


Several players recruited from the Western Sydney area have made it to the AFL. Notable examples include Kieren Briggs and Nick Shipley, both of whom are GWS Giants Academy graduates and currently on the Giants' AFL list. James Peatling, a mid-season draftee, also hails from Western Sydney and is another GWS Giants Academy graduate. Other players recruited from the region include Jake Brown and James Bell, who were drafted to the Sydney Swans. Jack Buckley and Nick Shipley were drafted by the GWS Giants. AFL Sydney also mentions Jarrod Brander (West Coast Eagles), Charlie Spargo (Melbourne), and Doulton Langlands (St Kilda) as players from the region drafted in 2017.


not sure how many players who came up through the victorian RL as juniors have been recruited to an NRL team though.




Another quick search and found this -article - 1 year old though. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... al-players

Ahead of the NRL season which sees the return of State of Origin to Melbourne for the first time since 2018, Storm forward Christian Welch said the club’s record of producing junior talent was “probably not good enough to be honest”.

“The reality is, we’re 25, 26 years old,” he said. “We’ve had five Victorian men’s players.”

The Storm’s head of pathways, Tim Glasby, echoed his sentiment. “We’re really disappointed that we haven’t had more,” he said. “Five in 25 years isn’t enough.”

to be honest I'm surprised it is as high as five - but also - thisi s just playing for the storm - maybe there are other teams that have recruited from victoria - but not someone who moved to victoria as a 16 year old who has played rl all his (vice versa re: AFL players from western sydney) but a home grown/developed talent.

[azif]

I had to look that up whacko - and did a quick search


AI gave me this (so take it with the skepticism that comes with using AI as a source).


Several players recruited from the Western Sydney area have made it to the AFL. Notable examples include Kieren Briggs and Nick Shipley, both of whom are GWS Giants Academy graduates and currently on the Giants' AFL list. James Peatling, a mid-season draftee, also hails from Western Sydney and is another GWS Giants Academy graduate. Other players recruited from the region include Jake Brown and James Bell, who were drafted to the Sydney Swans. Jack Buckley and Nick Shipley were drafted by the GWS Giants. AFL Sydney also mentions Jarrod Brander (West Coast Eagles), Charlie Spargo (Melbourne), and Doulton Langlands (St Kilda) as players from the region drafted in 2017.


not sure how many players who came up through the victorian RL as juniors have been recruited to an NRL team though.




Another quick search and found this -article - 1 year old though. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... al-players

Ahead of the NRL season which sees the return of State of Origin to Melbourne for the first time since 2018, Storm forward Christian Welch said the club’s record of producing junior talent was “probably not good enough to be honest”.

“The reality is, we’re 25, 26 years old,” he said. “We’ve had five Victorian men’s players.”

The Storm’s head of pathways, Tim Glasby, echoed his sentiment. “We’re really disappointed that we haven’t had more,” he said. “Five in 25 years isn’t enough.”

to be honest I'm surprised it is as high as five - but also - thisi s just playing for the storm - maybe there are other teams that have recruited from victoria - but not someone who moved to victoria as a 16 year old who has played rl all his (vice versa re: AFL players from western sydney) but a home grown/developed talent.

skinnywhitewankerball

also know as 1%er ball
in that
1% of young people play this bumbling clown show in Western Sydney & even less watch it

the GWS Grants
an unmitigated disaster

[Terry]

I had to look that up whacko - and did a quick search


AI gave me this (so take it with the skepticism that comes with using AI as a source).


Several players recruited from the Western Sydney area have made it to the AFL. Notable examples include Kieren Briggs and Nick Shipley, both of whom are GWS Giants Academy graduates and currently on the Giants' AFL list. James Peatling, a mid-season draftee, also hails from Western Sydney and is another GWS Giants Academy graduate. Other players recruited from the region include Jake Brown and James Bell, who were drafted to the Sydney Swans. Jack Buckley and Nick Shipley were drafted by the GWS Giants. AFL Sydney also mentions Jarrod Brander (West Coast Eagles), Charlie Spargo (Melbourne), and Doulton Langlands (St Kilda) as players from the region drafted in 2017.


not sure how many players who came up through the victorian RL as juniors have been recruited to an NRL team though.




Another quick search and found this -article - 1 year old though. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... al-players

Ahead of the NRL season which sees the return of State of Origin to Melbourne for the first time since 2018, Storm forward Christian Welch said the club’s record of producing junior talent was “probably not good enough to be honest”.

“The reality is, we’re 25, 26 years old,” he said. “We’ve had five Victorian men’s players.”

The Storm’s head of pathways, Tim Glasby, echoed his sentiment. “We’re really disappointed that we haven’t had more,” he said. “Five in 25 years isn’t enough.”

to be honest I'm surprised it is as high as five - but also - thisi s just playing for the storm - maybe there are other teams that have recruited from victoria - but not someone who moved to victoria as a 16 year old who has played rl all his (vice versa re: AFL players from western sydney) but a home grown/developed talent.

Fred, there is a glaring difference here pal. The AFL can recruit players that have never seen, let alone played, the mess and turn 'em into superstars overnight.

That's because it is a simple limited skill game with few rules and/or need for athletic ability. Exhibit 1. the lanky Yank who was a practice partner for a womens basketball team in the USA. Never seen a game. Never heard of it. Never played a game. Comes to Australia. Becomes an AFL superstar. Simple.

They do the same with Sydney kids. They scout a lanky kid, pay 'em a bucket load of money and quick smart turn 'em into an AFL 'standard' player. Such is the simplicity of the fumbling mess.

NRL clubs can't do that. To be a competent RL player you need years of intense training, playing and coaching. Melbourne would have to get kids at 7or 8 and keep 'em for 10 years to get 'em up to NRL standard. And if they live in Victoria it is so much easier to play the simple mess of the Australian Fumbling League.

Hope this helps Fred. Have a great day pal.

[azif]

I had to look that up whacko - and did a quick search


AI gave me this (so take it with the skepticism that comes with using AI as a source).


Several players recruited from the Western Sydney area have made it to the AFL. Notable examples include Kieren Briggs and Nick Shipley, both of whom are GWS Giants Academy graduates and currently on the Giants' AFL list. James Peatling, a mid-season draftee, also hails from Western Sydney and is another GWS Giants Academy graduate. Other players recruited from the region include Jake Brown and James Bell, who were drafted to the Sydney Swans. Jack Buckley and Nick Shipley were drafted by the GWS Giants. AFL Sydney also mentions Jarrod Brander (West Coast Eagles), Charlie Spargo (Melbourne), and Doulton Langlands (St Kilda) as players from the region drafted in 2017.


not sure how many players who came up through the victorian RL as juniors have been recruited to an NRL team though.




Another quick search and found this -article - 1 year old though. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... al-players

Ahead of the NRL season which sees the return of State of Origin to Melbourne for the first time since 2018, Storm forward Christian Welch said the club’s record of producing junior talent was “probably not good enough to be honest”.

“The reality is, we’re 25, 26 years old,” he said. “We’ve had five Victorian men’s players.”

The Storm’s head of pathways, Tim Glasby, echoed his sentiment. “We’re really disappointed that we haven’t had more,” he said. “Five in 25 years isn’t enough.”

to be honest I'm surprised it is as high as five - but also - thisi s just playing for the storm - maybe there are other teams that have recruited from victoria - but not someone who moved to victoria as a 16 year old who has played rl all his (vice versa re: AFL players from western sydney) but a home grown/developed talent.

Fred, there is a glaring difference here pal. The AFL can recruit players that have never seen, let alone played, the mess and turn 'em into superstars overnight.

That's because it is a simple limited skill game with few rules and/or need for athletic ability. Exhibit 1. the lanky Yank who was a practice partner for a womens basketball team in the USA. Never seen a game. Never heard of it. Never played a game. Comes to Australia. Becomes an AFL superstar. Simple.

They do the same with Sydney kids. They scout a lanky kid, pay 'em a bucket load of money and quick smart turn 'em into an AFL 'standard' player. Such is the simplicity of the fumbling mess.

NRL clubs can't do that. To be a competent RL player you need years of intense training, playing and coaching. Melbourne would have to get kids at 7or 8 and keep 'em for 10 years to get 'em up to NRL standard. And if they live in Victoria it is so much easier to play the simple mess of the Australian Fumbling League.

Hope this helps Fred. Have a great day pal.

yes quite right Tez
derpball is an easy girly game to play ... about as tough as netball
anyone who can chewgum & walk at the same time has the skills required .... RL on the other hand is highly intimidating & a fearsome sport to play


skinny little white vicdopians are genuinely petrified of these Polynesian monsters , only the toughest hardest white Australians can match their physical prowess

[leeroy*NRL*]

I think the reason to go to Perth, or one of them, is the fact that it is indeed an Aussie rules town with minimal rl - that’s the point - to grow the game and interest in it. It’s the same reason AFL needs to be in western Sydney. I do t think the nrl are trying to take over - just develop a niche market similar to Melbourne or wha the swans and lions have in their cities.

pretty much ( they will develop a decent market straight off the bat)

want be hard to do 25k average with 2 Optus Stadium games 1st year.
35k Members
Fresh New Team

2nd year will be where it is tested.