Talking Footy

Terry wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2026 10:04 am

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.

FFS you've really jumped the shark here beatup lololololol!!!!!!!!! Quoting some annonymous AFL idiots from bigfooty......fair dinkum laughable pal. I mean they call themselves 'teen wolf' and 'three new padlocks' lololololol!!!!! And they're your go to sources - FMD!!!!!

Why don't ya line up Dagwood Bumstead and Roger Ramjet pal? I hear they're massive fumbling fans. I'm sure they'll have something for ya!!!!!!

Sometimes ya just gotta sit back and laugh. This is one of those times lolololololololololol!!!!!!!!!!

Beaussie wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2026 10:27 am

Gees, 5 players in 26 years

Admittedly, that report was two year ago. Surely there are many more Victorians are now playing Rugby League right?

Melbourne Storm are such a powerhouse on the field, virtually always in the finals and Grand Finals. It must surely translate into huge Rugby League participation numbers in Victoria now yeah?

Terry wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2026 10:50 am

Beaussie wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2026 10:27 am

Gees, 5 players in 26 years

Admittedly, that report was two year ago. Surely there are many more Victorians are now playing Rugby League right?

Melbourne Storm are such a powerhouse on the field, virtually always in the finals and Grand Finals. It must surely translate into huge Rugby League participation numbers in Victoria now yeah?

Gee I don't know beatup, I'll just check with Daffy Duck and Wile E Coyote over at Leagueunlimited and get back to ya pal lolololololol!!!!!!!!

Fred wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2026 10:54 am

RL presence seems to have improved - but marginally - comparison wise - Aussie Rules in Sydney is so much bigger.