Talking Footy

Terry wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 2:48 pm

On another note the Storm have sold out Saturdays game against the Warriors in Melbourne. Seems no one cares what makingshitup says lolololololol!!!!!!!!!!!

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 6:00 pm

apparently the numbers are correct for Sydney's west numbers.. but they were the figures for 2 to 3 weeks ago.

GWS (Vietnam) how much more can they possibly burn..

all the gains are being poured into northern clubs
while neglecting Southern clubs (nice going)

Beaussie wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 7:18 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 6:00 pm

apparently the numbers are correct for Sydney's west numbers.. but they were the figures for 2 to 3 weeks ago.

GWS (Vietnam) how much more can they possibly burn..

all the gains are being poured into northern clubs
while neglecting Southern clubs (nice going)

Same lines were used against my club in the early 90s with constant calls for the Swans to fold, no crowds, no members or juniors blah blah, and yet look now… the Swans are easily the biggest sporting club in NSW.

Terry wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 3:12 pm

makingnrlfansgowacko wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 3:03 pm

Terry wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 2:48 pm

Terrible makingdumnormal. On another note the Storm have sold out Saturdays game against the Warriors in Melbourne. Seems no one cares what makingshitup says lolololololol!!!!!!!!!!!

That’s what the data and facts say Terrence!


The Storm are still a long way behind the Lions and swans, some what closer to Suns and Giants levels in popularity and crowd levels even with all that success. So good on them for getting close every once in a while for coming close in selling out a game,
That one Victorian playing must feel proud of that occasional support

Yeah, I know its terrible makingstupideasy. On the up side they've got more than 97 13 year old kids playing Rugby League in good 'ol Melbon. Seems like GWS are the worst sports club in the land by a very big margin pal. Even AFL types are turning on 'em.

Terry wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 7:40 pm

Sure they are beatup lololol!!! What do ya reckon about your boss Pridham bagging the Ginats as well pal?? Seems like it’s a pile on of truth bombs.

Beaussie wrote: Fri Apr 10, 2026 8:56 pm

Terry wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 7:40 pm

Sure they are beatup lololol!!! What do ya reckon about your boss Pridham bagging the Ginats as well pal?? Seems like it’s a pile on of truth bombs.

Pridham has not been around as long as me following the Swans and footy in Sydney.

Former Swans player and legend Michael O’Loughlin knows Sydney and our past. We had much bigger struggles than the Giants.

“Some of these guys remember my first game,” O’Loughlin said. “I can’t even remember my first game, and they were there.

“When they recollect that in a casual chat, I’m just blown away by their knowledge. It’s a feather in the cap of the Swans … we’re talking generation after generation of fans.

“If you think back to the early 90s, when three or four thousand people were going to games, to sell outs regularly now at the SCG, a lot of work has gone into that. And when you have moments that you can be a little bit closer to your fans and members, it’s incredible.”

Terry wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2026 8:32 am

Beaussie wrote: Fri Apr 10, 2026 8:56 pm

Terry wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 7:40 pm

Sure they are beatup lololol!!! What do ya reckon about your boss Pridham bagging the Ginats as well pal?? Seems like it’s a pile on of truth bombs.

Pridham has not been around as long as me following the Swans and footy in Sydney.

Former Swans player and legend Michael O’Loughlin knows Sydney and our past. We had much bigger struggles than the Giants.

“Some of these guys remember my first game,” O’Loughlin said. “I can’t even remember my first game, and they were there.

“When they recollect that in a casual chat, I’m just blown away by their knowledge. It’s a feather in the cap of the Swans … we’re talking generation after generation of fans.

“If you think back to the early 90s, when three or four thousand people were going to games, to sell outs regularly now at the SCG, a lot of work has gone into that. And when you have moments that you can be a little bit closer to your fans and members, it’s incredible.”

Ummmm beatup, the thread is about the failure of AFL in Sydney's west pal. Your mob gets ok crowds through expatriates and the whitey rich boyos who've given away the rugger. Real Sydney folk in the golden west do not and will not ever follow the fumbling mess. Its a failure pal. Now try and keep on point beatup. Your attention span seems to be very short these days.

Beaussie wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 7:18 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 6:00 pm

apparently the numbers are correct for Sydney's west numbers.. but they were the figures for 2 to 3 weeks ago.

GWS (Vietnam) how much more can they possibly burn..

all the gains are being poured into northern clubs
while neglecting Southern clubs (nice going)

Same lines were used against my club in the early 90s with constant calls for the Swans to fold, no crowds, no members or juniors blah blah, and yet look now… the Swans are easily the biggest sporting club in NSW.

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 1:12 pm

Beaussie wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 7:18 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 6:00 pm

apparently the numbers are correct for Sydney's west numbers.. but they were the figures for 2 to 3 weeks ago.

GWS (Vietnam) how much more can they possibly burn..

all the gains are being poured into northern clubs
while neglecting Southern clubs (nice going)

Same lines were used against my club in the early 90s with constant calls for the Swans to fold, no crowds, no members or juniors blah blah, and yet look now… the Swans are easily the biggest sporting club in NSW.

different times.

Swans did fail and they were bought out...and propped up numerous times..
it took to 1996 (the big man TONY LOCKETT to kick them in to the GF) to set them on a path..to Glory
in being a BIG TEAM

Mind you the Super League war and the ARL losing teams right where the Swans were popular
North Sydney bears
Newtown Jets
Balmain Tigers.

really helped Swans climb that ladder they find themselves into today..

(difference with GWS) they are winning team the pass 10 years.
Social Media is around today to promote you even further than the 80's 90's
it is alot easier today than back than, especially with the money being thrown at them.

makingnrlfansgowacko wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 4:01 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 1:12 pm

Beaussie wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 7:18 pm

Same lines were used against my club in the early 90s with constant calls for the Swans to fold, no crowds, no members or juniors blah blah, and yet look now… the Swans are easily the biggest sporting club in NSW.

different times.

Swans did fail and they were bought out...and propped up numerous times..
it took to 1996 (the big man TONY LOCKETT to kick them in to the GF) to set them on a path..to Glory
in being a BIG TEAM

Mind you the Super League war and the ARL losing teams right where the Swans were popular
North Sydney bears
Newtown Jets
Balmain Tigers.

really helped Swans climb that ladder they find themselves into today..

(difference with GWS) they are winning team the pass 10 years.
Social Media is around today to promote you even further than the 80's 90's
it is alot easier today than back than, especially with the money being thrown at them.

Yet some how the Melbourne Storm is a success in your eyes!

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Tue Apr 14, 2026 6:03 pm

makingnrlfansgowacko wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 4:01 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 1:12 pm

different times.

Swans did fail and they were bought out...and propped up numerous times..
it took to 1996 (the big man TONY LOCKETT to kick them in to the GF) to set them on a path..to Glory
in being a BIG TEAM

Mind you the Super League war and the ARL losing teams right where the Swans were popular
North Sydney bears
Newtown Jets
Balmain Tigers.

really helped Swans climb that ladder they find themselves into today..

(difference with GWS) they are winning team the pass 10 years.
Social Media is around today to promote you even further than the 80's 90's
it is alot easier today than back than, especially with the money being thrown at them.

Yet some how the Melbourne Storm is a success in your eyes!

Wrong you loser..

Swans are bigger success than the Storm (period)
They are both successful expansions

Gosh you are one mental case...

makingnrlfansgowacko wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 4:01 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 1:12 pm

Beaussie wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 7:18 pm

Same lines were used against my club in the early 90s with constant calls for the Swans to fold, no crowds, no members or juniors blah blah, and yet look now… the Swans are easily the biggest sporting club in NSW.

different times.

Swans did fail and they were bought out...and propped up numerous times..
it took to 1996 (the big man TONY LOCKETT to kick them in to the GF) to set them on a path..to Glory
in being a BIG TEAM

Mind you the Super League war and the ARL losing teams right where the Swans were popular
North Sydney bears
Newtown Jets
Balmain Tigers.

really helped Swans climb that ladder they find themselves into today..

(difference with GWS) they are winning team the pass 10 years.
Social Media is around today to promote you even further than the 80's 90's
it is alot easier today than back than, especially with the money being thrown at them.

Yet some how the Melbourne Storm is a success in your eyes!

Fred wrote: Wed Apr 15, 2026 10:25 am

leeroy*NRL* wrote: Tue Apr 14, 2026 6:03 pm

makingnrlfansgowacko wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 4:01 pm

Yet some how the Melbourne Storm is a success in your eyes!

Wrong you loser..

Swans are bigger success than the Storm (period)
They are both successful expansions

Gosh you are one mental case...

I do think there is a case that the Swans are likely more ingrained now into the Sydney culture than the Storm are - but Storm have made some in roads. Both indeed, have become successes - each finding a niche market - I think the expansion of Australian Rules is far greater into Sydney and surrounds than Rugby Leagues "expansion" or growth in Victoria. But would agree, neither club has been a failure per se.

Fred wrote: Wed Apr 15, 2026 10:25 am

I do think there is a case that the Swans are likely more ingrained now into the Sydney culture than the Storm are - but Storm have made some in roads. Both indeed, have become successes - each finding a niche market - I think the expansion of Australian Rules is far greater into Sydney and surrounds than Rugby Leagues "expansion" or growth in Victoria. But would agree, neither club has been a failure per se.

Beaussie wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2026 6:30 am

Fred wrote: Wed Apr 15, 2026 10:25 am

I do think there is a case that the Swans are likely more ingrained now into the Sydney culture than the Storm are - but Storm have made some in roads. Both indeed, have become successes - each finding a niche market - I think the expansion of Australian Rules is far greater into Sydney and surrounds than Rugby Leagues "expansion" or growth in Victoria. But would agree, neither club has been a failure per se.

I guess the question remains, is the success of the Giants or the Storm based solely on junior development and participant numbers? I would not think so, but if it is, as many seem to suggest to deride the AFL in Western Sydney, then surely NRL Victoria and the Melbourne Storm needs some serious scrutiny.

Again, let’s compare as the poster Teen Wolf did succinctly over at Big Footy:

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/ ... t-91354576

Last year there were 57 teams across 8 divisions (5 boys, 3 girls) in the U13 AFL Sydney comp. 10 of them west of Olympic Park.

Meanwhile there were 13 smaller teams across 2 divisions in the U13 NRL Vic Metro comp.

So in the part of Sydney where Aussie rules is least popular, u13 club participation is about the same as what rugby league gets in the entirety of Melbourne + Geelong. This despite the Storm being around 15 years longer than the Giants.


And from threenewpadlocks, again over at Big Footy:

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/ ... t-91354576

To add to this:

The participation numbers are similar, the population numbers are not

The NRL Vic Metro competition represents a region of 5.5 million people. GWS west of Olympic Park represents a region of 2.75 million people.

Ergo, GWS has twice as many U13 participants in its region than the Storm has in theirs, per capita. I think the proportion of 12-13 year olds would be slightly higher in Western Sydney than in Melbourne/Geelong to make this more like 1.98x or whatever, but I digress.

In fairness though, fewer people participate in RL proportionate to the general interest in the NRL - it is a tough sport to play. We need to adjust down about 20% for this.

Even still, GWS numbers are therefore about 1.5x more than Melbourne numbers for NRL with these adjustments.

Of course, the reasons for GWS' being was to grow the game of Australian Football in WS. That was not necessarily the case for the NRL and Storm in Melbourne - Storm have always been privately owned, and to the extent they are interested in RL growth in Melbourne, it is merely so they can recruit more local players, and have more fans, but not necessarily to promote the sport in Melbourne for the sake of the sport itself.


All that said, it’s good to hear AFL HQ is at least waking up to the fact they have neglected NSW/ACT post COVID, and there are rumblings a new strategic direction and focus is imminent. Personally, I still think many at AFL HQ in Melbourne have little understanding of Sydney/NSW. It’s very frustrating as a long time footy fan who grew up in South Western Sydney. I am hopeful that with Tom Harley now in there as the new AFL Chief Operating Officer, things will start changing for the better of footy in NSW. Fingers crossed.