View Full Version : Expansion AFL running interference in Sydney and failing
littleduck
4 Jun 2008, 11:22
How the AFL tried to steal league's World Cup thunder
Roy Masters | June 4, 2008
AN AFL approach to stage an Australia-Ireland international rules match at the Sydney Cricket Ground in competition with the opening ceremony of rugby league's centenary World Cup has escalated the scheduling conflict between the nation's two major football codes and threatens to erupt into an all-out turf war.
AFL boss Andrew Demetriou pressured the SCG Trust to host the hybrid rules match one or two days before the October 26 World Cup opening ceremony and an Australia-New Zealand match at the adjacent Sydney Football Stadium. Confirming the approach, SCG Trust general manager Jamie Barclay said: "Demetriou wanted to play the international rules match at the SCG on either the Friday or the Saturday before the Sunday World Cup opening ceremony and opening match, but we already had signed a contract with the Rugby League International Federation to stage their events. On that basis, we were unable to do it."
The AFL then approached ANZ Stadium, Homebush Bay, but support from NSW Major Events evaporated and the match was relocated to Subiaco Oval, Perth. While the NSW Government is a financial backer of the World Cup, the alternative plan to play at Homebush Bay was also scuttled because of the potential embarrassment of a poor crowd in Sydney's west.
ARL chairman Colin Love, who is also the World Cup tournament director, said: "I would have been extremely disappointed if the Trust had not rejected the application and I would be extremely disappointed if it was the aim of the AFL to rain on our parade.
"After all, it is the centenary of rugby league in Australia and we are staging an opening ceremony and a major match involving our trans-Tasman rivals."
The AFL denies the scheduling was designed to frustrate rugby league. "We see ourselves as a different event," a spokesman said, pointing out Australian football is celebrating its 150-year anniversary and that Australia-Ireland international rules games began in 1998. "We were keen to play in Sydney because the GAA [Gaelic Athletic Association] say there is a strong call to play there. We made the inquiry to play at the SCG and were told it was not available. ANZ was very keen to host the event but we could not get funding support from NSW Major Events."
Rugby league and AFL will go head-to-head on the Gold Coast on Saturday June 28 when the Titans play the Dragons at 5.30pm at Skilled Park, while North Melbourne host St Kilda at Cararra at 7.10pm.
NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley claims an approach was made from Fox Sports, which telecasts both codes, to change the Titans match to the following day to accommodate the AFL.
A defiant Annesley said: "Demetriou says no approach was made from the AFL to Fox Sports but I've got no doubt a call was made. That call to Fox Sports certainly led to a call to us from Fox Sports asking us to change the time of the match. But the Titans prefer Saturday night, rather than Sunday matches, and we refused to change."
While the AFL is incensed at Annesley for branding the code a minor league, the NRL deputy insists he was referring to its presence in frontier territory.
"They are No.2 in the areas of south-east Queensland and western Sydney, where the full-on assault is, the areas where they are attacking rugby league," Annesley said.
Titans managing director Michael Searle accused the AFL of "running interference", saying: "Our draw was out first. The AFL scheduled two of North Melbourne's three matches up here when we are playing at home. If they were so desperate to avoid us, they could have scheduled to play the June 28 match when we were away.
"Asking us to change is akin to [Melbourne Storm chief executive] Brian Waldron asking Collingwood to change their kick-off time at the MCG. They overestimate their power in this market."
Searle said the AFL also scheduled a Lions-Collingwood match in Brisbane in March against a Broncos-Cowboys game, causing disruption in the city, but they were subsequently embarrassed by the TV ratings.
Coinciding with the scheduling battle is a mooted plan for the AFL to buy ANZ Stadium as a home for its second Sydney team, also allowing it to be landlord to five NRL clubs. However, sources suggest this is a smokescreen for the AFL's main intention - using the adjacent Showground as a training base and administrative centre for a second Sydney team.
The Showground, formerly home of the NRL's Bulldogs and under lease to the Royal Agricultural Society, would need an investment of $80 million-$90 million to increase its capacity to 25,000 seats, much less than the $200 million reported to be the price of ANZ Stadium.
Paranoid garbage board. :rolleyes:
genghiskhan
4 Jun 2008, 11:38
Why aren't they trying to play international rules on a rectangular field? There is no shortage of them in Sydney.
Hodgepodge
4 Jun 2008, 11:51
Please no more international rules, it's a disgrace and an embarassment to be associated with . . .
So many lies in that article, the Lions and Pies didn't go up against the Broncos Cowboys game, it was the other way around.
Hardly Surprising again that a league journo is fanning the war cry.
The AFL is coming, The AFL is coming.
" PARANOIA WILL DESTROYA":eek:
littleduck
4 Jun 2008, 11:57
Why aren't they trying to play international rules on a rectangular field? There is no shortage of them in Sydney.
I believe the AFL should hire Lang Park for International Rules.
After all, isn't IR played on a rectangular field in Ireland????
Glory and Fame
4 Jun 2008, 12:02
Yes it is.
The SFS would make an awesome International Rules stadium. Better than the SCG - it's totally the wrong shape for rectangular field sports.
'We were keen to play in Sydney because the GAA say there is a strong call to play there.'
http://petlauncher.com/uploads/hahaha.jpg
This is getting ridiculous.
The AFL is 'running interference' because they wanted a Friday night match, and League has the venue booked for the Sunday?
What the hell?
The NRL are shitting themselves. The really do view this as a war, and their battle is being fought in the media over inane, even in this instance irrelevant things.
The future is beginning to look bleaker for the NRL, they just don't get it. Hard core NRL supporters would lap crap like this up, but everyone else will see right through this, and still be disillusioned with how their sport is being run and where it is headed.
NRL, for your own sake, focus on your own mounting internal problems before inventing more in a pathetic attempt to look besieged from external sources.
littleduck
4 Jun 2008, 13:24
This is getting ridiculous.
The AFL is 'running interference' because they wanted a Friday night match, and League has the venue booked for the Sunday?
What the hell?
The NRL are shitting themselves. The really do view this as a war, and their battle is being fought in the media over inane, even in this instance irrelevant things.
The future is beginning to look bleaker for the NRL, they just don't get it. Hard core NRL supporters would lap crap like this up, but everyone else will see right through this, and still be disillusioned with how their sport is being run and where it is headed.
NRL, for your own sake, focus on your own mounting internal problems before inventing more in a pathetic attempt to look besieged from external sources.
It'd be like the FFA rushing about at the last minute trying to organise a full-strength Socceroos friendly at the Telstra Dome the night before the AFL Grand Final.
AFL would surely be out there saying hang on a minute, just fcuk off for one weekend while we have our big showcase game and stop trying to run interference.
It'd be like the FFA rushing about at the last minute trying to organise a full-strength Socceroos friendly at the Telstra Dome the night before the AFL Grand Final.
Bullshit. It's 2 nights before, this is hardly the last minute, and we are not talking about the Grand Final. The worst analogy I have ever heard.
AFL would surely be out there saying hang on a minute, just fcuk off for one weekend while we have our big showcase game and stop trying to run interference.
Ha, again, Bullshit. The AFL, for all of its faults, have a hell of a lot more tact than that. If the MCG said "No", then the AFL would just keep its mouth shut. It would have nothing to gain from it.
Hell, just look at the response the AFL gave to the news that the soccer would cup would expect them to suspend their season midseason.
stephen_bayne
4 Jun 2008, 13:56
How did the AFL react? I missed all that.
This all seems so petty and stupid but I'm guessing articles like this will be coming thick an fast over the next few years.
Doctor Jolly
4 Jun 2008, 14:03
The RL world cup is going to be an embarrasment, and it sounds like they are getting their excuses ready ahead of time.
Really, how can an International Rules game at the SCG (non RL ground) in front of maybe 30,000 people sabotage with the RL WC ?
What is he smoking?
ParraEelsNRL
4 Jun 2008, 14:14
The RL world cup is going to be an embarrasment, and it sounds like they are getting their excuses ready ahead of time.
Really, how can an International Rules game at the SCG (non RL ground) in front of maybe 30,000 people sabotage with the RL WC ?
What is he smoking?
Heaps of tickets sold already, so get stuffed.
The AFL and everyone involved in it are pathetic with the way they have gone on this year, when Union had their WC in 2003, all codes stayed out of their way to let them do their thing, but as soon as RL goes to do something, the AFl has a hissy fit and tries to get in on it.
Well, ____ off.
This is the type of thing that will galvanize people together over 1 common cause, the AFL, sucked in.
Kiss goodby any hope of people wanting anything to do with your new expansion teams if they even get up LOL.
The arrogance of the AFL is truly getting shown up this year :thumbsu:
BTW, the ARL fella was wrong, the AFL isn't 2nd in NSW or QLD, they are a clear 4th
And always will be :D
Another Roy Masters article against the "southern invaders" :D
He's funny sometimes on offsiders but you can see in his eyes the deep hatred he has for the AFL, not so much the game, but the league itself.
The News Ltd driven anti-AFL campaign continues, it is quite amusing.
Edit: I forgot to say good on them for doing it, its worked quite well so far, even just using ParraEels as an example, they are setting up an us vs them scenario, i'd expect the same to happen if the NRL setup a 2nd side in Melb and 2 in say Adelaide.
Heaps of tickets sold already, so get stuffed.
The AFL and everyone involved in it are pathetic with the way they have gone on this year, when Union had their WC in 2003, all codes stayed out of their way to let them do their thing, but as soon as RL goes to do something, the AFl has a hissy fit and tries to get in on it.
Well, ____ off.
This is the type of thing that will galvanize people together over 1 common cause, the AFL, sucked in.
Kiss goodby any hope of people wanting anything to do with your new expansion teams if they even get up LOL.
The arrogance of the AFL is truly getting shown up this year :thumbsu:
BTW, the ARL fella was wrong, the AFL isn't 2nd in NSW or QLD, they are a clear 4th
And always will be :D
See? this is my point
The NRL diehards will lap this stuff up, but no one else will. I don't see what the NRL is trying to achieve here. The diehards are already galvanised, but it can only exacerbate the grievances held by those who are becoming increasingly disillusioned.
The RL world cup is going to be an embarrasment, and it sounds like they are getting their excuses ready ahead of time.
You aren't suggesting an official RL WC excuces list are you ?
Some simple notes .
1.Roy Masters article
2. Searle was proven wrong because all AFL games are locked in October .
3. ld likes to put comment in the title . Where does it say the AFL are failing .
Again Vlad has achieved valuable media exposure - wins kudos -
"We tried to supply Sydney with an IR game but were prevented "
AFL the game and the brand are again in the headlines .
4. Go and check the dimensions of a GAA field .
Apart from the fact that it is rectangular , you'll find what ?
.
wikipediaAFLproject
4 Jun 2008, 15:28
Or perhaps they were actually trying not to interrupt the WC.
Obviously they wanted a game in Sydney to attract Sydneys large Irish community, but were trying to do it a time which did not conflict with the WC.
Or perhaps they were actually trying not to interrupt the WC.
Obviously they wanted a game in Sydney to attract Sydneys large Irish community, but were trying to do it a time which did not conflict with the WC.
The IR games are always locked into October from previous consenus .
In fact it was the Irish that pressured the AFL to determine the grounds
on short notice . The IR games hvae been played in Canberra so there is nothing sinistere in playing in Sydney , in factthe AFL would be a miss in
not taking these games to new cities .
.
ParraEelsNRL
4 Jun 2008, 15:38
BS.
Before the opening ceremony, there will be two games played, one on Friday between England and PNG, the other will be France V Scotland on Saturday.
No interference?
:rolleyes:
ringleader
4 Jun 2008, 15:43
The News Ltd driven anti-AFL campaign continues, it is quite amusing.
Masters works for Fairfax you idiot. Fairfax and News Ltd don't get on too well. eg: http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/how-news-ltd-sunk-its-claws-in-league/2007/03/09/1173166982379.html
sorry, so whats the big deal exactly with playing a International Rules match at the ground 2 days before a league international?
honestly, is rugby league so scared of the PR power of AFL that it must prevent an exhibition game being played a couple days out of the world cup?
this thread should be called "rugby league pissing itself and running interferance of AFL in sydney"
BS.
No interference?
No it won't interefere because it's not as if any people are going to turn up
to the minnows of rl cup .
:p
I believe the AFL should hire Lang Park for International Rules.
After all, isn't IR played on a rectangular field in Ireland????
After all , ld you've shown you know nothing about Australian Football
and it's developments and associations .
How do you suggest we play on a ground that is much too small ?
:thumbsd:
I lived in Sydney for years and most of the sports journos were openly hostile to the Swans and Aussie rules in general. I met Roy Masters a few times and he was very hostile to Aussie rules. We are coming and there is nothing you can do to stop us,so be afraid Roy,be very afraid,Go bloods.
ParraEelsNRL
4 Jun 2008, 16:14
sorry, so whats the big deal exactly with playing a International Rules match at the ground 2 days before a league international?
Friday, England Vs PNG, Saturday, France Vs Scotland, Sunday, Australia Vs New Zealand, Monday, Tonga Vs Ireland.
Two days before any RLWC game did you say?
Were they planing on playing the bastardization hybrid game on a Wednesday night huh?
honestly, is rugby league so scared of the PR power of AFL that it must prevent an exhibition game being played a couple days out of the world cup?
No, every other sport in the country would give the code who is holding a WC some room, it's called respect, but the AFL and its fans don't know what that is.
I see when the 2003 RUWC was on, the AFL didn't play any bastardization hybrid games in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania, Darwin, or Timbuktu, did they?
Neither did Rugby League or Soccer, they wished them good luck and got out of the way.
But no, the AFL are spoilt brats who will do anything to rain on Rugby Leagues parade, even if it means trying to book stadiums in Sydney that they know the RLWC wanted to use.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/ultimatum-to-afl-as-ground-dilemma-puts-rules-in-doubt-1374876.html
a number of events have apparently been scheduled around the time that the international rules has been pencilled in.
Apparently at one stage they tried to book the SFS which would appear to be a deliberate action to get in the way of RLWC.
If this isn't a spoiling action from the AFL, you guys are blind and deserve the sport you follow, a dying sport.
this thread should be called "rugby league pissing itself and running interferance of AFL in sydney"
Dikchead, RL has had a WC since 1954, it was Australia's turn to host it, we have know for years that 2008 would be the year it was to be played out here, the AFL are doing the spoiling and you know it.
pieces of shit, they'll get their comeuppance shortly.
boncer34
4 Jun 2008, 16:22
If this isn't a spoiling action from the AFL, you guys are blind and deserve the sport you follow, a dying sport.
The word Irony come to mind.
Doctor Jolly
4 Jun 2008, 16:28
I can understand the olympics and soccer world cup having a pre-tournament exclusion time. Maybe even the RUWC, but the Rugby league world cup? Most games will struggle to get over 15,000. Its an event thats smaller than the AFL finals series. Do we ask other sports to stop playing before/during that.
And, I dont think the AFL had a hissy fit. They asked the SCG, No. They asked Homebush, No. They asked Subi, Yes. No one knew about it until Roy Masters opened up in the media.
ParraEelsNRL
4 Jun 2008, 16:29
Only skillful player on the park was the dog
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041026/sp3.jpg
The Irish agree.
Streakers provide more entertainment than this paltry excuse for a game
Monday October 30th 2006
Fat merkin.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa149/gillardian/mong.jpg
Doctor Jolly
4 Jun 2008, 16:34
ParraEels defintely has got his knickers in a twist over the IR series.
Is he embarrased that the IR rules game, a hybrid game, many AFL supporters couldnt care less about, would get a crowd bigger than every game bar the RL WC final.
I could see how that would look bad. Funny though.
BS.
Before the opening ceremony, there will be two games played, one on Friday between England and PNG, the other will be France V Scotland on Saturday.
No interference?
:rolleyes:
No, interference.
Neither of those games you mention will be played at the SCG.
I still fail to see the interference.
ParraEelsNRL
4 Jun 2008, 16:35
I can understand the olympics and soccer world cup having a pre-tournament exclusion time. Maybe even the RUWC, but the Rugby league world cup? Most games will struggle to get over 15,000. Its an event thats smaller than the AFL finals series. Do we ask other sports to stop playing before/during that.
No respect as I stated.
And, I dont think the AFL had a hissy fit. They asked the SCG, No. They asked Homebush, No. They asked Subi, Yes. No one knew about it until Roy Masters opened up in the media.
I put in a link from 4 weeks ago wally, how did I know about this before Roy mentioned it?
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/ultimatum-to-afl-as-ground-dilemma-puts-rules-in-doubt-1374876.html
By GAA fixtures in factfile
Wednesday May 14 2008
The 2008 International Rules series is in jeopardy as problems over venues continue to stifle the AFL.
The GAA have given their Australian counterparts a 10-day deadline (Friday, May 23) to find a venue for a second test.
a number of events have apparently been scheduled around the time that the international rules has been pencilled in.
Problems
The hosting of the rugby league World Cup is also causing problems as the AFL try to nail down venues.
The AFL is keen to bring a test, presumably the first test, to Sydney for the first time with Melbourne again hosting the anchor second test.
Doctor Jolly
4 Jun 2008, 16:40
No respect as I stated.
I put in a link from 4 weeks ago wally, how did I know about this before Roy mentioned it?
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/ultimatum-to-afl-as-ground-dilemma-puts-rules-in-doubt-1374876.html
Who the hell read the Irish independent ?
Obviously you are a huge IR fan, and smarter than Roy Masters.
Dasher39
4 Jun 2008, 16:41
sorry, so whats the big deal exactly with playing a International Rules match at the ground 2 days before a league international?So you would have no problem with the FFA having the Socceroos play a World Cup Qualifier at the MCG two days before the AFL Grand Final?
I think most AFL fans would be up in arms if that were to happen. Hell there were even people complaining that the Socceroos were playing a Friendly against Argentina during last seasons Finals (between Qual/Elim Final and Semi Final), so it's not just RL fans that get cut up by this type of thing.
Doctor Jolly
4 Jun 2008, 16:42
So you would have no problem with the FFA having the Socceroos play a World Cup Qualifier at the MCG two days before the AFL Grand Final?
I think most AFL fans would be up in arms if that were to happen. Hell there were even people complaining that the Socceroos were playing a Friendly against Argentina during last seasons Finals (between Qual/Elim Final and Semi Final), so it's not just RL fans that get cut up by this type of thing.
Are the RL WC using the SCG ??? Not for any games, only the opening ceremony.
How would an IR game 2 days prior have any effect on the ground condition for an opening ceremony.
I have absolutely no idea a game at the SCG can have any effect on a game at the SFS (different venue) 2 days later.
RL journo's are stupid.
ParraEels defintely has got his knickers in a twist over the IR series.
Is he embarrased that the IR rules game, a hybrid game, many AFL supporters couldnt care less about, would get a crowd bigger than every game bar the RL WC final.
I could see how that would look bad. Funny though.
major :o
Haha, Parra.
So you reckon the AFL should have cancelled the IR series just because RL has a world cup going on?
Ha, and they aren’t even going to use the venue the AFL wanted.
And yet, you accuse the AFL of being the ones running interference.
Media like this will damage the NRL, and I still have no idea why the NRL feel like this is an issue to be blown up. They are preaching to the diehards, while alienating the disillusioned.
Friday, England Vs PNG, Saturday, France Vs Scotland, Sunday, Australia Vs New Zealand, Monday, Tonga Vs Ireland.
Two days before any RLWC game did you say?
Were they planing on playing the bastardization hybrid game on a Wednesday night huh?
two days before the opening ceremony, which i assumed was the start of the proceedings. the OP makes no mention of a game clash, those games are all at the SCG are they?
if there is WC games on then, then fair enough the SCG declining the AFLs request.
No, every other sport in the country would give the code who is holding a WC some room, it's called respect, but the AFL and its fans don't know what that is.
any other code would be seeking to do their own thing, as we are. your world cup is nothing to do with us.
I see when the 2003 RUWC was on, the AFL didn't play any bastardization hybrid games in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania, Darwin, or Timbuktu, did they?
Neither did Rugby League or Soccer, they wished them good luck and got out of the way.
But no, the AFL are spoilt brats who will do anything to rain on Rugby Leagues parade, even if it means trying to book stadiums in Sydney that they know the RLWC wanted to use.
look, i hate to break it to ya, but not everything we do is based around what the rugby league is doing.
If this isn't a spoiling action from the AFL, you guys are blind and deserve the sport you follow, a dying sport.
ahhh yes, AFL is on its last legs, without so much as a hundred million to buy ANZ stadium with.
:D
Dikchead, RL has had a WC since 1954, it was Australia's turn to host it, we have know for years that 2008 would be the year it was to be played out here, the AFL are doing the spoiling and you know it.
pieces of shit, they'll get their comeuppance shortly.
right. once again i hate to break it to ya, but we dont do everything depending on what a smaller-rated, poorly-attended, financially troubled news ltd subsidiary does.
the AFL will continue to spend its TV rights surplus on expanding the code. it will shortly have 4 clubs in NSW and QLD, and scheduling conflicts will occur. the AFL will request to play games up there sometimes.
of course, paranoid rugby league ____heads will talk up every one as "the arrogant AFL trying to bully the NRL"
honestly, who cares if one international rules game is played in sydney at the same time as the league world cup?
parra, can you answer me a question...why are rugby league types so relentlessly negative and paranoid? its your hundredth year and it barely rates a mention among everyone in your code from the code CEO and club presidents to the best of your media deathriding your own sport and paranoid ramblings about the evil other codes coming to take over.
littleduck
4 Jun 2008, 17:07
How do you suggest we play on a ground that is much too small ?
:thumbsd:It's as big as Croke Park isn't it??????
Bonuspoints
4 Jun 2008, 18:29
To be honest why would RL give a toss about this? The hybrid game is a joke and I can't believe they're bringing it back. We were better off without it.
It's [Suncorp Stadium] as big as Croke Park isn't it??????
The playing area of Croke Park is quite a bit bigger than Suncorp.
The minimum dimensions for a GAA Footbal playing pitch are 130 x 80m - the fence to fence dimensions of Suncorp are 136 x 77.
Azzballz Deluxe
4 Jun 2008, 18:39
It's as big as Croke Park isn't it??????
Croke Park got 80,000 to the last IR match
genghiskhan
4 Jun 2008, 19:18
To be honest why would RL give a toss about this? The hybrid game is a joke and I can't believe they're bringing it back. We were better off without it.
I prefer to see the Australians play Gaelic football. I like the idea of being able to beat the Irish at their own game. The ways things have been going, the Irish can't even compete in the Hybrid format which is virtually Gaelic rules.
Black Thunder
4 Jun 2008, 19:39
It's as big as Croke Park isn't it??????
croke park's bigger.
GAA pitches are bigger than League and Union fields.
Black Thunder
4 Jun 2008, 19:45
If this isn't a spoiling action from the AFL, you guys are blind and deserve the sport you follow, a dying sport.
haha great work... a dying sport for suuuuure.
your paranioa is great to watch.
would you not rather spend this year celebrating the centenary of rugby league (although technically last year was the 100th season of the NSWRL/ARL/NRL) instead of spending so much time paranoid about the AFL.
Why does it bother you if the AFL is trying to grow in south-east queensland and western sydney. Australian Rules will be second in those areas for a long long time (possbily for as long as i live) but there's nothing wrong with having a presence there.
When the Swans starting get 35K+ crowds i used to love the response of league officials: "yes but they only have one game, whereas league has 4 or 5 in sydney"... convenienatly forgetting the 4 or 5 games played in melbourne which attracted 30K+ crowds for most games.
Are the RL WC using the SCG ??? Not for any games, only the opening ceremony.
How would an IR game 2 days prior have any effect on the ground condition for an opening ceremony.
I have absolutely no idea a game at the SCG can have any effect on a game at the SFS (different venue) 2 days later.
RL journo's are stupid.
wait, is this true? there ARE no games at the SCG?
whats the big deal in the AFL using it on friday night then? is there a game at the SFS on that night?
Glory and Fame
4 Jun 2008, 20:12
I see when the 2003 RUWC was on, the AFL didn't play any bastardization hybrid games in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania, Darwin, or Timbuktu, did they?
Neither did Rugby League or Soccer, they wished them good luck and got out of the way.
Actually they did. The International Rules matches in 2003 were held on 24/10/03 at Subiaco and 31/10/03 at the MCG; while group stage matches were being played in the rugby world cup.
Subiaco hosted a rugby world cup match less than a week before their international rules game. And the day after the International Rules game at the MCG, Australia played Ireland in the rugby at Docklands.
And neither sport saw anything wrong with it.
Holding The Ball
4 Jun 2008, 20:16
I'd love to see a game at Homebush, it would fail :D
Actually they did. The International Rules matches in 2003 were held on 24/10/03 at Subiaco and 31/10/03 at the MCG; while group stage matches were being played in the rugby world cup.
Subiaco hosted a rugby world cup match less than a week before their international rules game. And the day after the International Rules game at the MCG, Australia played Ireland in the rugby at Docklands.
And neither sport saw anything wrong with it.
From memory, it was promoted in Melbourne jointly. A lot of people, particularly Irish tourists, attended both.
But I suppose Roy Masters doesn't write for a Melbourne paper.
Actually they did. The International Rules matches in 2003 were held on 24/10/03 at Subiaco and 31/10/03 at the MCG; while group stage matches were being played in the rugby world cup.
Subiaco hosted a rugby world cup match less than a week before their international rules game. And the day after the International Rules game at the MCG, Australia played Ireland in the rugby at Docklands.
And neither sport saw anything wrong with it.
makes for a pretty damn good weekend, see an international rules game on friday night, back up and see the wallabies play on saturday.
its amazing what you can do when one code isnt shitting themselves with fear.
The RL World Cup is like a walk in the park for the Aussies and Kiwis..hardly what you call a top-flight international sporting event. Only 3 countries (the other being the Poms) can win the thing!
The only way IR can be a success is if as many as possible here can see it. RL has more problems in its own backyard than worry about what the AFL is doing! South Sydney for a start.
genghiskhan
5 Jun 2008, 11:35
The RL World Cup is like a walk in the park for the Aussies and Kiwis..hardly what you call a top-flight international sporting event. Only 3 countries (the other being the Poms) can win the thing!
The only way IR can be a success is if as many as possible here can see it. RL has more problems in its own backyard than worry about what the AFL is doing! South Sydney for a start.
Only four countries can win the rugby union world up and only one can win the cricket world cup.
I do agree with your main point though. Calling it a world cup when it is ignored by 95 per cent of the world is silly and invites ridicule. A different name would be better.
ParraEelsNRL
5 Jun 2008, 11:45
How about international rules ya drongo. :rolleyes:
Ice-Wolf
5 Jun 2008, 11:54
How about international rules ya drongo. :rolleyes:
International Rules is about cementing ties with Ireland.
In would be great if they would play a game of Gaelic football and a game of Australian football.
However a hybrid version is easier for both sides to adapt to.
Also its more of an exhibition and isn't claiming to be a serious international tournament.
ParraEelsNRL
5 Jun 2008, 13:23
International Rules is about cementing ties with Ireland.
In would be great if they would play a game of Gaelic football and a game of Australian football.
However a hybrid version is easier for both sides to adapt to.
Also its more of an exhibition and isn't claiming to be a serious international tournament.
I was talking about calling the RLWC that :rolleyes:
fishmonger
5 Jun 2008, 13:30
The playing area of Croke Park is quite a bit bigger than Suncorp.
The minimum dimensions for a GAA Footbal playing pitch are 130 x 80m - the fence to fence dimensions of Suncorp are 136 x 77.
It is International Rules though ....
You'd think being a compromise code that not only would they play some of our rules (which they don't), but it would be played on an oval. :rolleyes: (The Irish simply wouldn't have the fitness)
But if it isn't GAA Football, it is a bastardised sport then who cares what the dimensions are or for that matter where it is played ? Back in the 1980s, the AFL played on a baseball, soccer and even CFL fields in Canada, Japan and the USA. Have a bit of ingenuity guys FFS.
But all this is beside the point, how about the AFL running interference on its own International (World) Cup in its 150th year ! which is on the 27 August and 6th September, only a month before the IR. Now that is a story on its own .... :confused: are they embarassed that it is still an amateur comp ? I mean half the Irish guys in the AFL would qualify to play for Ireland, but unfortunately they won't be playing. Why don't they promote it better. With 20 nations and growing, it is becoming nearly as significant as Rugby League's world cup anyway.
The International Cup is the future ! Not IR or GAA(y).
RNTlG-72S60
Ice-Wolf
5 Jun 2008, 13:56
It is International Rules though ....
You'd think being a compromise code that not only would they play some of our rules (which they don't), but it would be played on an oval. :rolleyes: (The Irish simply wouldn't have the fitness)
But if it isn't GAA Football, it is a bastardised sport then who cares what the dimensions are or for that matter where it is played ? Back in the 1980s, the AFL played on a baseball, soccer and even CFL fields in Canada, Japan and the USA. Have a bit of ingenuity guys FFS.
But all this is beside the point, how about the AFL running interference on its own International (World) Cup in its 150th year ! which is on the 27 August and 6th September, only a month before the IR. Now that is a story on its own .... :confused: are they embarassed that it is still an amateur comp ? I mean half the Irish guys in the AFL would qualify to play for Ireland, but unfortunately they won't be playing. Why don't they promote it better. With 20 nations and growing, it is becoming nearly as significant as Rugby League's world cup anyway.
The International Cup is the future ! Not IR or GAA(y).
RNTlG-72S60
They should play the IC games as curtain raisers and have the at least the Melbourne AFL clubs act as hosts for the teams. Maybe add the IC Grand Final to Grand Final week. It would be great for the players imagine the experience that it would give them.
Doctor Jolly
5 Jun 2008, 14:07
They should play the IC games as curtain raisers and have the at least the Melbourne AFL clubs act as hosts for the teams. Maybe add the IC Grand Final to Grand Final week. It would be great for the players imagine the experience that it would give them.
The IC may well be the future, but it sure aint the present.
To give some guy from Papua New Guinea who's only played a couple of years a stage like the MCG on grand final day, instead of a higher skilled player in the Mildura reserves who has played it all his life and reached his pinacle, seems a bit too close to reverse discrimination to me.
Doctor Jolly
5 Jun 2008, 14:08
How about international rules ya drongo. :rolleyes:
Only 2 teams have ever won the RL world cup.
Only 2 teams have ever won the International rules.
Same, same.
To give some guy from Papua New Guinea who's only played a couple of years a stage like the MCG on grand final day, instead of a higher skilled player in the Mildura reserves who has played it all his life and reached his pinacle, seems a bit too close to reverse discrimination to me.
The PNG was a poor example .
Australian football has been around a long time in the PNG .
The IC may well be the future, but it sure aint the present.
To make it the future , doesn't some promotion seem warranted ?
.
genghiskhan
5 Jun 2008, 15:00
The IC may well be the future, but it sure aint the present.
To give some guy from Papua New Guinea who's only played a couple of years a stage like the MCG on grand final day, instead of a higher skilled player in the Mildura reserves who has played it all his life and reached his pinacle, seems a bit too close to reverse discrimination to me.
Not really
1) The crowds is more interested in seeing a Papua New Guinean than some bloke from Mildura.
2) Discrimination in favour of potential is common business and team development practice in the AFL. For example, Hawthorn gave games to Buddy Franklin in favour of that Holland character, even though Holland had been a worthy contributor and superior player to Franklin at the time. Likewise, the AFL is expanding to the Gold Coast over Tasmania as the Gold Coast has more potential.
Even though it may sadden country residents, an international flavour for the AFL offers more than a rural flavour. For that reason, helping PNG is of more use than helping rural Victoria.
ParraEelsNRL
5 Jun 2008, 15:40
Only 2 teams have ever won the RL world cup.
Only 2 teams have ever won the International rules.
Same, same.
Only two play the bastardized sport known as international rules.
Only two countries have won the RLWC?
Since when?
Also, France and New Zealand have made the final on a few occasions, you make it sound like Australia has played in every final.
In 1951 (before the WC came about in 1954), the French were declared World Champions, they used the same method as Cricket did with home and away records over a period of time.
But as for RLWC wins, you are still wrong, two countries have not won the RLWC.
Only two countries have won the RLWC?
12 Cups , 9 to Australia , 3 to GB
Also, France and New Zealand have made the final on a few occasions, you make it sound like Australia has played in every final.
Apart from the inaugural Cup in1954 Australia has been in every GF .
France has gone by the bye . so it really is a glorified tri-nations .
.
ParraEelsNRL
5 Jun 2008, 16:02
12 Cups , 9 to Australia , 3 to GB
Apart from the inaugural Cup in1954 Australia has been in every GF .
France has gone by the bye . so it really is a glorified tri-nations .
.
Wrong.
I want Dr Wally to prove what he said.
Wrong.
12 Cups , 9 to Australia , 3 to GB
Apart from the inaugural Cup in1954 Australia has been in every GF .
France has gone by the bye . so it really is a glorified tri-nations .
FFS it's on rlwc08 .
.
ParraEelsNRL
5 Jun 2008, 16:25
Dr Wally said two countries have won the RLWC, so i want him to tell me who they are.
Ice-Wolf
5 Jun 2008, 16:27
Dr Wally said two countries have won the RLWC, so i want him to tell me who they are.
Ok then 1 country and one alliance/group etc
ParraEelsNRL
5 Jun 2008, 16:29
Ok then 1 country and one alliance/group etc
A what?
:o
Dr Wally said two countries have won the RLWC, so i want him to tell me who they are.
It's on the list
Official RL excuses
1 .SL stuffed us up completely and we haven't recovered .
2 .We play to our "heartlands" .............. our heartlands are in the bush,
these people don't get the chance to go to many games as 9 chop and change times and generally play god.
3. Sydney people are doing it tough and just can't afford to go - $30 general entry, I was drinking UDL's at $9 per can
3 . It's a television game -
couch potatoes count as real interested viewers .
You have to count the regional and city figures even though they overlap
There was a lot of sport on TV. ........golf , tennis , lawn bowls , motorsports , bowling , darts , WWWWE
There was some good shows on TV ... Bloke's World , Iron Chef , Bert's big brother idol lost on celebrity dancing singing skating survivor
4 .The game is popular but the team isn't
..........Either that popular crowd drawing team is down OR that unpopular drawing team is dominating .
5 .It's the Sydney transport system -
6. It's the weather - too hot , too cold or perfect for doing something else .
7. It's the media - too little media , the unfair media ,the negative RL media , too much AFL media
..... .....Our supporters can't read the media (nice pictures though)
12 Cups , 9 to Australia , 3 to GB
8. It's the lack of developement by the NRL ,ARL , NSWRL and BRL.... AND ..we're facing development from AFL , FFA and Netball .
9. The mergers put people off , merged teams don't represent their region , merged teams are too powerful ..
10. Dropping South Sydney put people off and put more off by coming back and will lose the rest by relocating..
11. The government won't finance new stadiums , but when they do the crowds will be enormous.
...........and now our stadiums are built they are too big and look empty deterring more people
Homebush - small crowds area visual embarrassment
SFS - long time built not used much
Lang Park - now built , no excuses..
Docklands - state of the art boutique stadium not used as too costly (low crowds)
Melbourne Olympic Park - latest holy grail for crowds
Perth MES - now upgraded , latest official nrl crowd count 1710 .
Gosford - new savior for sydney clubs
Canberra - upgrade hasn't helped decline
12. When they gonna have double headers , triple headers ...we can then claim the one crowd for both games !
13 . The new pokie tax is gonna kill off the leagues clubs - never more relevant.
14 . We don't have the AFL's draft , management , development , clout , and aggressive approach to expansion ..
15. We don't have a decent game ,(but that's the least of our problems)
16. Sheduled against us was an another big game of .....RU , AFL, AL , NBL , ANL , WNBL.......
17. We sheduled a game against another big game of .....RU , AFL, AL , NBL , ANL , WNBL......
20. The report is not valid because it only shows interest not real support like ratings where the person
gets off his butt and ............ sorry where the person changes the channel on the remote .
25 .RU is stealing all our players and it looks like AFL is stealing our players as well and FFA as soon as they expand .
26. The recent WC is grabbing everybody's attention - insert most recent FFA/RU event maybe even the AFL International Cup .
27. The recent RL WC is not grabbing everybody's attention - blame the AFL for one Australia Vs Ireland IR test
28. You overlook the fact that 25% of all rounds are Origin-affected. While the focus of the season is on State of Origin football,
club football is adversely affected by the best 34 players either unavailable or backing up after State of Origin.
29. Canberra now supports two clubs .
30. It's a bluff because Canberra are renegotiating their stadium deal.
31. It's a bluff because the AFL want some publicity .
32. When looking at NRL averages you cannot look at Sydney in isolation - because they are pathetically low .
33. When looking at NRL averages you cannot look at Melbourne because they have no history there and because they are pathetically low .
34. The crowd looked and felt a lot bigger than the official pathetically low figure .
35. The Ch 9 and Foxtel shedule NRL games on short notice unlike the AFL that lock the shedule all games in October
:thumbsd:
Ok then 1 country and one alliance/group etc
I country , 1 colony ?
.
Ice-Wolf
5 Jun 2008, 16:37
A what?
:o
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 4 Countries or 3 countries and a province depending on how you view it.
EDIT did some more research and it France is only listed as a runner up of the rlwc site :(
fishmonger
5 Jun 2008, 19:36
The IC may well be the future, but it sure aint the present.
To give some guy from Papua New Guinea who's only played a couple of years a stage like the MCG on grand final day, instead of a higher skilled player in the Mildura reserves who has played it all his life and reached his pinacle, seems a bit too close to reverse discrimination to me.
Actually the average age of PNG's team this year is 23 and all of them have played the game their entire life. The sport has been there since the 1940s.
And you'll most likely see one of their local products drafted to an AFL club near you either this season or next (take note of the names John James and Stanis Susuve - these could be household in a few years time). Just as likely as a player in the Mildura reserves.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 4 Countries or 3 countries and a province depending on how you view it.
They might call themselves countries but the reality is that politically they are no different to Australian states.
jackmac7
5 Jun 2008, 22:29
How many rubbish articles on the AFL do they average up there per week.
It's quite pathetic this fear campaign they are running.
They are on the ropes throwing wild swings and the AFL is laughing in their face. Keep delivering crap and they'll be on the canvas soon enough and they probably deserve it with these efforts.
Glory and Fame
5 Jun 2008, 22:47
It's a storm in a teacup.
An International Rules game in Sydney would struggle to draw 20,000. I'd jump at the chance to go, but I'm very much in the minority. The effect it would have on the rugby league world cup would be negligible.
As well, I have trouble believing the SCG Trust would knock back a booking at the SCG because there'll be a game at the SFS 2 days later. They've played games simultaneously at the 2 venues in the past, and as recently as this week had SCG and SFS events on consecutive days.
The domestic cricket draw hasn't come out yet; but I have a suspicion that the real reason the SCG Trust knocked back the booking could be that there's a domestic cricket game at the SCG that weekend. That would make sense.
It's a storm in a teacup.
An International Rules game in Sydney would struggle to draw 20,000. I'd jump at the chance to go, but I'm very much in the minority. The effect it would have on the rugby league world cup would be negligible.
As well, I have trouble believing the SCG Trust would knock back a booking at the SCG because there'll be a game at the SFS 2 days later. They've played games simultaneously at the 2 venues in the past, and as recently as this week had SCG and SFS events on consecutive days.
The domestic cricket draw hasn't come out yet; but I have a suspicion that the real reason the SCG Trust knocked back the booking could be that there's a domestic cricket game at the SCG that weekend. That would make sense.
Perhaps, but it is an 'event'. If it was well advertised, we know how much Sydney people like 'events'.
Doctor Jolly
6 Jun 2008, 10:36
It's a storm in a teacup.
An International Rules game in Sydney would struggle to draw 20,000. I'd jump at the chance to go, but I'm very much in the minority. The effect it would have on the rugby league world cup would be negligible.
As well, I have trouble believing the SCG Trust would knock back a booking at the SCG because there'll be a game at the SFS 2 days later. They've played games simultaneously at the 2 venues in the past, and as recently as this week had SCG and SFS events on consecutive days.
The domestic cricket draw hasn't come out yet; but I have a suspicion that the real reason the SCG Trust knocked back the booking could be that there's a domestic cricket game at the SCG that weekend. That would make sense.
A doubt there is a cricket game on, as the SCG is being used for the opening ceremony of the RL WC 2 days later. It just may be that they planned to start installing advertising/errecting props during that lead up time, so adding a footy game was impracticle.
FWIW, I think the IR would get 30,000 at least. Novelty factor, plus a heap of Irish in Sydney would help.
I also dont think there is any conspiracy theory about the AFL wanting to upset RLWC, nor RLWC blocking out AFL. But may make the AFL more determined to "own" stadium Australia, so it can pull a bit of weight re scheduling.
A doubt there is a cricket game on, as the SCG is being used for the opening ceremony of the RL WC 2 days later. It just may be that they planned to start installing advertising/errecting props during that lead up time, so adding a footy game was impracticle.
FWIW, I think the IR would get 30,000 at least. Novelty factor, plus a heap of Irish in Sydney would help.
I also dont think there is any conspiracy theory about the AFL wanting to upset RLWC, nor RLWC blocking out AFL. But may make the AFL more determined to "own" stadium Australia, so it can pull a bit of weight re scheduling.
It's hard to predict what the crowd would be for an IR test in Sydney .
Certainly it'd be in the theatre-goers category .
IF the Sydney Swans have a good year and it was promoted properly as an Australia Vs Ireland test displaying Australia's top talent (which it isn't )
then it could very large . Notice I said "could" .
.
They might call themselves countries but the reality is that politically they are no different to Australian states.
The UK is a country . Maybe he was alluding to the fact that it was a combined NSW/QLD state team that won ?
:p
Glory and Fame
6 Jun 2008, 11:38
Littleduck and/or ParraEels will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the opening ceremony for the rugby league world cup will be at the SFS immediately before the Australia v New Zealand game.
If that's the case, the SCG wouldn't be needed for the rugby league world cup at all. I still suspect the SCG Trust want the SCG for cricket that weekend - which is totally understandable, and I can't see why anyone would have a problem with that.
Beaussie
6 Jun 2008, 11:42
FWIW, I think the IR would get 30,000 at least. Novelty factor, plus a heap of Irish in Sydney would help.
If promoted properly I totally agree. I'd love to see an IR game in Sydney and no doubt the large Irish population up here would too.
littleduck
6 Jun 2008, 11:57
Littleduck and/or ParraEels will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the opening ceremony for the rugby league world cup will be at the SFS immediately before the Australia v New Zealand game.
If that's the case, the SCG wouldn't be needed for the rugby league world cup at all. I still suspect the SCG Trust want the SCG for cricket that weekend - which is totally understandable, and I can't see why anyone would have a problem with that.Obviously there was never going to be a clash of time and venue, but you need to consider things more broadly in terms of short-term accomodation for visitors, shared media exposure, etc.... but most importantly the reason why AFL got run out of town was because the NSW Major Events Corporation was not prepared to come on-board financially or any other way due to the RL football World Cup.
Beaussie
6 Jun 2008, 12:08
Obviously there was never going to be a clash of time and venue, but you need to consider things more broadly in terms of short-term accomodation for visitors, shared media exposure, etc.... but most importantly the reason why AFL got run out of town was because the NSW Major Events Corporation was not prepared to come on-board financially or any other way due to the RL football World Cup.
The NSW Major Events Corporation is a disaster without the finances needed to attract major events to Sydney. The following sums up the situation in NSW.
Events plan a major Morris con job
Caroline Overington | February 21, 2007
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21261029-5006784,00.html
FOR the first time in its long, proud history, NSW has a problem: nobody wants to visit.
Premier Morris Iemma admitted as much yesterday, saying the state had failed to capitalise on the Olympic Games and was losing tourists to states that don't even have an Opera House.