Talking Footy

AFL gains as western Sydney NRL clubs flounder
Dean Ritchie
From:The Daily Telegraph
July 28, 201112:00AM

THE failure this year of rugby league's four marquee western Sydney clubs - on and off the field - will give AFL new boys GWS a mighty free kick for next season.

And GWS have the money and resources to be "frightening", according to former Test halfback and Penrith Panthers director Greg Alexander.

"Rugby league in its heartland is under siege," Alexander said.

Parramatta, Penrith, Canterbury and Wests Tigers have all been embroiled in off-field controversy this season and each look like limping out of the premiership race prematurely.

Their lack of success will only enhance opportunities for Greater Western Sydney, who officially join the AFL premiership next season.

Alexander told The Daily Telegraph he was fearful of the endless money AFL management could throw at attracting support through western Sydney. "Rugby league doesn't seem to know how much the AFL has done in western Sydney, particularly the north-west corridor," Alexander said."It's time rugby league realised the battle it has on its hands.

"The NRL has to look at itself and know what we are in for. Rugby league in its heartland is under siege.

"And the fact the four western Sydney NRL clubs haven't enjoyed stellar seasons, I guess what impact that has will be known next year. It is frightening what AFL is doing. They have so much money.

"Hopefully the independent commission can make western Sydney its first port of call."

The AFL has never publicly declared it is ready to wage war with rugby league, but there is little doubt it will make significant inroads next season if GWS can obtain immediate success.

Asked about the lack of success from the NRL's four western Sydney clubs, GWS chief executive Dale Holmes said: "Clubs go through cycles in all codes.

"Players come and go.

"This is a great opportunity for all codes across greater western Sydney.

"I think codes and clubs can co-exist and, in some cases, work together in areas like ticketing and membership.

"We can improve the way we do things.

"We see this as an opportunity more than a threat. There are two million people across western Sydney.

"We want to engage more in the community."

On current form, a western Sydney club cannot win the NRL premiership.

Each of the four clubs have endured off-field problems too.

NRL chief executive David Gallop said of the dramas affecting western Sydney clubs: "We don't get involved in club decisions but it's a reminder that the NRL is ultra-competitive.

"We are in a competitive sporting market where fans and stakeholders are hungry for success.

"Our clubs in western Sydney are acutely aware of that."

One NRL official, who did not want to be named, said the AFL would back its new club with huge financial support.

"They have money coming out of every pocket," he said.

"Rugby league shouldn't simply think that kids will follow our game just because their dads and grandfathers did. If we take things for granted, we will see more and more kids kicking around Sherrin balls."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6103011847

King-Eliagh wrote:

The telegraph has been behind this invisible 'war' of the codes in west sydney from the beginning and they constantly go out hyping it up for those who are willing to read this trash.

King-Eliagh wrote:

Just envisaging beaussies delight as he woke up after pulling on his swans slippers, slapping on his swans beanie and slipping into his swans mankini before reading his favourite paper the daily telegraph and reading this quality piece of journalism.

The telegraph has been behind this invisible 'war' of the codes in west sydney from the beginning and they constantly go out hyping it up for those who are willing to read this trash. Lap it up beaussie but you will never see the AFL 'reign supreme' in western sydney in your life time. Sorry to break the dream Now go find your old panthers chocolate soldiers guernsey and get the fuukk out of that swans mankini!

Grim Reaper wrote:

Australia's greatest sporting disaster is called the NRL. The "crowds" speak for themselves....

Onions wrote:

Yeah the crowds WILL scream failure out Blacktown way next year....when GWS pull 20K at the first first home game and Penrith go nowhere near 10K against them!!

Who's ******* laughing now, Raider Boy?

Grim Reaper wrote:

Yeah the big derby like Parramatta and Canterbury and the huge crowds of 10,000...

Onions wrote:

Won't ******* work, Raider Boy! Put them on at the same time, and GWS would DESTROY a "western derby"! Besides, Penrith don't pull crowds to justify using ANZ anyway so they'd be stuck on their own ******* dung heap!