Article from the roar

[Fred]

The Australian domestic code war is an issue constantly thrown around by the Australian sports media. With each new club the AFL opens in traditional NRL territories, the more fans, and children have the option to switch allegiances.

The AFL wins in memberships, crowd attendances, and national reach. The NRL wins in the international game, and by having State of Origin.

The recent television rights deals showed there is not much to split between the two in terms of what broadcasters are willing to pay. But this year there was something missing in the NRL.

Crowds were down, ratings were down, and there is no longer that feeling of hope that came with the arrival of the independent commission.

All the while the AFL continued to march on and thrive.

Maybe the consolidation of being the number two code in the country is what the NRL should be concentrating on.

Strengthening the product should be the NRL commission’s number one objective.

The appointment of Graeme Samuel, former honcho at the AFL and responsible for some of the expansion and mergers of the AFL in the 1990s is a step in the right direction.

As much as we love to think that loyalty exists in sport, there is increasingly little evidence to support it.

Players talk about a new ‘challenge’ or new beginning but at the end of the day, their paycheck has a large amount of pull in deciding where they work each year.

There is one thing that puts bums on seats and eyes on screens, and that is seeing a superstar do what he does best. A Greg Inglis, Sonny Bill Williams, or Billy Slater is a player that every team craves.

It was only a handful of years ago that people chastised the great Money Bill for being a trader and there were calls for him to never return to the game.

But look what he has done for the Roosters. They have had one of their biggest years ever, on and off the field and most importantly, they have won a premiership.

The introduction of a marquee player allowance is a no brainer.

Every club should have the opportunity to break the bank for one superstar player.

The one who can turn their club around on and off the field. Israel Folau, Karmichael Hunt, Sonny Bill. These were all league players and big names that got people and money into their team.

In the future, these types of players should never be allowed to leave.

A club should have one player completely exempt from the cap, with securities in place to ensure this allowance is not manipulated.

The NRL does recognise this and there will be some changes in the next few years – the gradual increase of the salary cap and the introduction of a partial marquee player allowance will help.

If the NRL wants to grow it needs to act now.

Sydney has too many teams. At least one club either has to leave or relocate and based on crowds I would think Penrith would be up there as a candidate, as well as the Sharks.

The NRL could have to look at how the AFL did this in 1990s as an example.

Two new clubs need to enter the competition to strengthen and widen its scope.

I believe New Zealand would be the most strategic, as it would increase its presence in New Zealand and potentially strengthen the international competition.

The next most logical would be Perth and a fourth and final team in Queensland.

The NRL suffers from a lack of foresight.

The AFL is the number one code in this country and largely because it has been run properly.

Everything about the AFL screams professionalism and the NRL has always seemed like its poorer cousin.

The commission needs to put words into action.

We as fans and followers of the game continuously hear talk, talk of expansion, talk of our ‘war chest’, talk of a record breaking television deal, but we don’t actually see any change.

2013 has been a forgettable year as far as statistics and numbers go.

The jewel in the crown, State of Origin, continues to break records but brings about a huge problem in scheduling and the quality of competition. I have not heard one suggestion that I like.

Origin needs to stay on Wednesdays, it adds to its 'event’ feel but at the same time clubs and players needs longer gaps to ensure club fairness.

Having weekends before State of Origin scheduled as international fixtures is one idea that makes sense. It would help the international game.

Teams like New Zealand, England, France, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, could all have friendlies played and it could bring some coverage and experience to non-NRL players.

The NRL is years behind the AFL in crowds, memberships, and administration. The AFL will always be strengthened by the fact that Aussie Rules is the one truly unique Australian sport.

It is the one tourists ask about and the one that can be recognised globally on television as our game.

Super Rugby suffers from having multiple time zones and domestic cricket is overshadowed by its international game.

Football may be the biggest threat to number two. The A-League is entering a period of growth and only time will tell how big it can get.

Maybe the NRL will never be the number one code in this country. But there are two days on the Australian sporting calendar that every Australian sports fan has an interest in – the AFL and NRL grand finals, and if it can stay that way then there is nothing to worry about.

Article link: The NRL’s battle for the Australian sports landscape: can they win it?. Written by Dane Lillingstone, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

[adamj1300]

the AFL is the number 1 code & always has been, crowds, memberships, & revenue is double that of the NRL,
its popularity is vastly over hyped, its played in Australia's biggest state & its figures crowds, memberships are pathetic, & yet Sydney sider's claim its the biggest code in Australia, if it wasnt for the packers & Murdoch, interest in the game, it would still be shown on the ABC
the NRL is run buy idiots that live in the past would have never left Sydney,

the addition of the Storm, would have to of been called a success but one will only wonder when the successful glory premiership years have warn off will there be any support for them,
in efforts to grow its code with teams where set up in the 90s in South Australia & Western Australia, but both folded due to lack of interest & the NRL packed up their note pads & left for Sydney,
if the brains trust at the NRL actually wanted to grows its code it would have made better attempts to grow its product wider, buy at least playing some regular games in other states, or buy at least, doing what hawthorn has done in the AFL, calling a second place home in Tasmania , having some of the smaller struggling teams being based in SA or WA part time

[Raiderdave]

The Australian domestic code war is an issue constantly thrown around by the Australian sports media. With each new club the AFL opens in traditional NRL territories, the more fans, and children have the option to switch allegiances.

The AFL wins in memberships, crowd attendances, and national reach. The NRL wins in the international game, and by having State of Origin.

The recent television rights deals showed there is not much to split between the two in terms of what broadcasters are willing to pay. But this year there was something missing in the NRL.

Crowds were down, ratings were down, and there is no longer that feeling of hope that came with the arrival of the independent commission.

All the while the AFL continued to march on and thrive.

Maybe the consolidation of being the number two code in the country is what the NRL should be concentrating on.

Strengthening the product should be the NRL commission’s number one objective.

The appointment of Graeme Samuel, former honcho at the AFL and responsible for some of the expansion and mergers of the AFL in the 1990s is a step in the right direction.

As much as we love to think that loyalty exists in sport, there is increasingly little evidence to support it.

Players talk about a new ‘challenge’ or new beginning but at the end of the day, their paycheck has a large amount of pull in deciding where they work each year.

There is one thing that puts bums on seats and eyes on screens, and that is seeing a superstar do what he does best. A Greg Inglis, Sonny Bill Williams, or Billy Slater is a player that every team craves.

It was only a handful of years ago that people chastised the great Money Bill for being a trader and there were calls for him to never return to the game.

But look what he has done for the Roosters. They have had one of their biggest years ever, on and off the field and most importantly, they have won a premiership.

The introduction of a marquee player allowance is a no brainer.

Every club should have the opportunity to break the bank for one superstar player.

The one who can turn their club around on and off the field. Israel Folau, Karmichael Hunt, Sonny Bill. These were all league players and big names that got people and money into their team.

In the future, these types of players should never be allowed to leave.

A club should have one player completely exempt from the cap, with securities in place to ensure this allowance is not manipulated.

The NRL does recognise this and there will be some changes in the next few years – the gradual increase of the salary cap and the introduction of a partial marquee player allowance will help.

If the NRL wants to grow it needs to act now.

Sydney has too many teams. At least one club either has to leave or relocate and based on crowds I would think Penrith would be up there as a candidate, as well as the Sharks.

The NRL could have to look at how the AFL did this in 1990s as an example.

Two new clubs need to enter the competition to strengthen and widen its scope.

I believe New Zealand would be the most strategic, as it would increase its presence in New Zealand and potentially strengthen the international competition.

The next most logical would be Perth and a fourth and final team in Queensland.

The NRL suffers from a lack of foresight.

The AFL is the number one code in this country and largely because it has been run properly.

Everything about the AFL screams professionalism and the NRL has always seemed like its poorer cousin.

The commission needs to put words into action.

We as fans and followers of the game continuously hear talk, talk of expansion, talk of our ‘war chest’, talk of a record breaking television deal, but we don’t actually see any change.

2013 has been a forgettable year as far as statistics and numbers go.

The jewel in the crown, State of Origin, continues to break records but brings about a huge problem in scheduling and the quality of competition. I have not heard one suggestion that I like.

Origin needs to stay on Wednesdays, it adds to its 'event’ feel but at the same time clubs and players needs longer gaps to ensure club fairness.

Having weekends before State of Origin scheduled as international fixtures is one idea that makes sense. It would help the international game.

Teams like New Zealand, England, France, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, could all have friendlies played and it could bring some coverage and experience to non-NRL players.

The NRL is years behind the AFL in crowds, memberships, and administration. The AFL will always be strengthened by the fact that Aussie Rules is the one truly unique Australian sport.

It is the one tourists ask about and the one that can be recognised globally on television as our game.

Super Rugby suffers from having multiple time zones and domestic cricket is overshadowed by its international game.

Football may be the biggest threat to number two. The A-League is entering a period of growth and only time will tell how big it can get.

Maybe the NRL will never be the number one code in this country. But there are two days on the Australian sporting calendar that every Australian sports fan has an interest in – the AFL and NRL grand finals, and if it can stay that way then there is nothing to worry about.

Article link: The NRL’s battle for the Australian sports landscape: can they win it?. Written by Dane Lillingstone, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

:_<> :_<> :_<>
wow
the first paragraph was shit

the last was tripe

& pretty much everything written in between these .....was cat vomit

the VFL keep marching on
:_<> :_<> :_<>

it has lost 1 million fans at the gate since 2010
it has more then half of its comp on financial life support with the 2 newest teams as woeful on field as expansion sides have ever been in any sport

it is at its lowest ebb for interest in NSW & QLD since the mid 1990's despite the Swines being allowed to win a manipulated & contrived comp in 2012 & hundreds of millions spent on the latest expansion sides in these states
VFL is STILL borderline irrelevant in these states

if it weren't for its fans being brain washed cockheads in Victardia ... this sport would be on its last legs because it is the only place on gods green earth where this sport made even an ounce of progress

the NRL had a tiny drop in attendances & TV ratings for a year
& its missing something is it ?


well the only thing I saw missing this year was a fumble bumbleball game in the top 3 sporting events of the year >
:_<> :_<> :_<>


maybe this dropkick should take off his tight shorts & singlet & see the real picture instead of being a little Vicky kicky cheerleader

[Raiderdave]

the AFL is the number 1 code & always has been, crowds, memberships, & revenue is double that of the NRL,
its popularity is vastly over hyped, its played in Australia's biggest state & its figures crowds, memberships are pathetic, & yet Sydney sider's claim its the biggest code in Australia, if it wasnt for the packers & Murdoch, interest in the game, it would still be shown on the ABC
the NRL is run buy idiots that live in the past would have never left Sydney,

the addition of the Storm, would have to of been called a success but one will only wonder when the successful glory premiership years have warn off will there be any support for them,
in efforts to grow its code with teams where set up in the 90s in South Australia & Western Australia, but both folded due to lack of interest & the NRL packed up their note pads & left for Sydney,
if the brains trust at the NRL actually wanted to grows its code it would have made better attempts to grow its product wider, buy at least playing some regular games in other states, or buy at least, doing what hawthorn has done in the AFL, calling a second place home in Tasmania , having some of the smaller struggling teams being based in SA or WA part time

the VFL is numb 1 in the sthn minda states only

it is irrelevant in the rest of the country & despite its best efforts
has failed in its attempts over the last 30 years to become numb 1 nationally as it is a poor product that people north of the murray have little time for


RL is just 1 year into its new media rights deal & is already posting profits 3 times the amount the VFL is
where not going to blow our new found wealth crossing any borders & pissing it up against the wall like the VFL has
no
we will crush this Victorian abortion in our heartland first
& then come knockin on its door when this is achieved to finish the job

this may take 30 years
but if I were a fumbler .. a fan of the worlds tinest sport that has barely moved an inch anywhere in the last 120 years & still has next to zero appeal on the international stage
I'd be very worried
very worried indeed

[NRLCrap1]

Ignorance thy name is Dave.

Even if the AFL numbers are a bit down they are still streets ahead of the NRL!

Hell, look at the home and away season averages for the last five years;

Code: Select all

     AFL   NRL
2013 32163 15940
2012 31509 16423
2011 34893 16273
2010 36908 16406
2009 36193 16069

The smart people of the world will see those figures and know straight away who's in trouble. And it's not the AFL.

[NRLCrap1]

it has lost 1 million fans at the gate since 2010

Another lie by Dave;

AFL attendance totals for the whole season
2010 3490778
2011 3465851
2012 3486494
2013 3345248

Total drop = 145,530

14 and a half percent less of a drop than Dave's claim.

[pHyR3]

It was only a handful of years ago that people chastised the great Money Bill for being a trader and there were calls for him to never return to the game.

Trader......Trader????? didn't know SBW was involved in exporting and importing. Pretty much sums up the amateurism of the article.

But I do agree NRL has been managed atrociously in the past, and today, only reason we get 4 million watching 3 games each year is cause the product is amazing, the greatest game of all. Not definitive BY ANY MEANS, but came across this subreddit, reddit.com/r/highlightgifs. Very american and soccer dominated (being an international site) but there's NRL and union all over it. Rare moments of fumbling haha.

A drop in crowds and tv ratings this year reflects the 6 biggest clubs in the NRL; Tigers, Eels, Broncos, Souths, Bulldogs and Dragons all doing badly except souths and dogs. And the bottom 3 teams being eels, tigers, dragons. And that was just compounded by the poor management of rules and reffing.

[pHyR3]

it has lost 1 million fans at the gate since 2010

Another lie by Dave;

AFL attendance totals for the whole season
2010 3490778
2011 3465851
2012 3486494
2013 3345248

Total drop = 145,530

14 and a half percent less of a drop than Dave's claim.

Nice of you not to include the finals, making the total drop 220k despite playing TWENTY extra games.

[pHyR3]

Ignorance thy name is Dave.

Even if the AFL numbers are a bit down they are still streets ahead of the NRL!

Hell, look at the home and away season averages for the last five years;

Code: Select all

     AFL   NRL
2013 32163 15940
2012 31509 16423
2011 34893 16273
2010 36908 16406
2009 36193 16069

The smart people of the world will see those figures and know straight away who's in trouble. And it's not the AFL.

And the even smarter would realise AFL is a spectator sport, NRL is a TV sport and then see a $1.25 billion dollar deal for the NRL showing that neither is in trouble.

[NRLCrap1]

One typo is enough to brand the article like that?

And reliance on five clubs in one city to prop up a competition is a joke.

NRL TV deal was over priced and everyone knows it, especially as the article pointed out even the TV ratings dropped outside of SOO. NRL is in trouble and always has been.

And that attendance total list INCLUDED finals by the way!

[cos789]

The Australian domestic code war is an issue constantly thrown around by the Australian sports media. With each new club the AFL opens in traditional NRL territories, the more fans, and children have the option to switch allegiances.

There are really no nrl territories only places where rl is played and where rl is played, soccer is strong.
The battle if anything is to ensure kids choose contact football.

The AFL wins in memberships, crowd attendances, and national reach. The NRL wins in the international game, and by having State of Origin.

The AFL wins because it has a better product.
NRl has SOO hyped to the max and rl has an International presence. RU has a much stronger one and
Australian Football has a much weaker one. Of course soccer trumps all.

Maybe the consolidation of being the number two code in the country is what the NRL should be concentrating on.

NRL should look within it's present boundaries and be realistic.
But it should stop trying to emulate the AFL mostly.

The NRL is years behind the AFL in crowds, memberships, and administration. The AFL will always be strengthened by the fact that Aussie Rules is the one truly unique Australian sport.

The AFL has the best per head of population support in the world because it has the best product.
The NRL has to find and be content with whatever niche it can carve out.

Super Rugby suffers from having multiple time zones.

But has better potential than rl and rl would have to emulate RU's setup anyways.

domestic cricket is overshadowed by its international game.

Australian cricket is slipping bigtime. Anyhow it's a summer sport.

The A-League is entering a period of growth and only time will tell how big it can get.

So be on your toes rl, because soccer has huge representation in NSW.(rl territory)

Maybe the NRL will never be the number one code in this country.

That's a pretty safe assumption.

[adamj1300]

Maybe the NRL will never be the number one code in this country.

That's a pretty safe assumption.[/quote]
Rl is slowly slipping, it will be over taken buy the soccer, even the commentators and ex players have admitted it & called for things to be done,
its the RL fan who have are living with their head in the sand

[pHyR3]

One typo is enough to brand the article like that?

And reliance on five clubs in one city to prop up a competition is a joke.

NRL TV deal was over priced and everyone knows it, especially as the article pointed out even the TV ratings dropped outside of SOO. NRL is in trouble and always has been.

And that attendance total list INCLUDED finals by the way!

Never said it branded the article, just reflected its amateurism and clear agenda.

Haha, okay i'll take your word for it.

Attendance AFL incl Finals:

2010 = 7146738 in 186 games
2013 = 6926380 in 207 games

So 21 extra games in the last few years, and 220358 less people turning up.

And how is NRL in trouble? like i've said, 1.25 billion dollar TV deal. NRL announced TODAY that they're giving every club a lazy half million extra funding for 2014. and crowds and tv ratings have trended up bar this year (mostly due to big teams doing badly, off field incidences and reffings/rules). NRL will bounce back next year, mark my words, and reach 19-20k crowds by 2017.

[Fred]

Lol ... When you aspire to 19 20000 crowds as an average you are miles behind the AFL

[adamj1300]

Lol ... When you aspire to 19 20000 crowds as an average you are miles behind the AFL

in 1957 the NRL had an average of 11588k
in 2013 they averaged 16643k
http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/summary.html
so give it another 30 or 40 years before the NRL starts to crack the 20k mark
the pathetic shit show that it is,