While alot AFL fans think NRL players are slow. Melbourne Storms Marika Coroibete & North Queensland Cowboys Gideon Gela-Mosby would likely beat all of AFLs fastest in their 100m grand final sprint.
Marika Coroibete has been clocked at speeds of 37km an hour in a match against Canberra, with times in the 10.7s range over 100m. While AFLs 100m sprint final times are usually lucky if the winner hits the low 11s.
Also Gideon Gela-Mosby has times of 10.24 over 100m.
Rugby League being a sport where a player can sprint the length of the field to score would be a big factor in attracting these kind of athletes. While in AFL you can't run soley the length of the field to score making sprinting not as important. More of a jog for the fumblers.
