Expansion PNG Joins NRL .......... Options For AFL ??

[Aussie in exile]

Again, you are suggesting that all professionals sports are in the same boat i.e. that they shouldn't be helped. that the NRL should build it's own stadiums which the NRL has forever shied away, from.

There is a case for the community good, which is the case for a lot of "cricket" stadiums.
Who would decry the building of the MCG ? The MCG was built for the Olympics but spported by cricket and mainly Australian Football yet still accommodating many international events, sports and concerts.

Perth Stadium certainly wasn't built for Australian Football or even cricket. cricket said they were totally uninterested and Australian football said it was too expensive and they were happy with Subiaco. Perth Stadium was built with the idea of being multi-purpose.

Docklands was originally built for soccer but luckily Australian Football provided a use for it.

The stadiums that fit your criteria are professional rugby stadiums in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra.though occasionally soccer gets a look see as well.




Most people are aware that the leader of the Australian government is on an eto trip and insistent that $650 million of taxpayers money be wasted on a professional sport in a foreign country in a totally logic-deprived suggestion that somehow that will deter Chinese influence in PNG when the Australian government itself leased a strategic port to a Chinese company.
The idea is ill-conceived and can only be seen as provocation towards China and we all know that results in punitive tariffs on Australian goods which are just getting over after the last faux-pas by an Australian government leader.

If you don't like my factual comments put me on ignore

 

[RedV3x]

If you don't like my factual comments put me on ignore

But how do you ignore this ?

Again, you are suggesting that all professionals sports are in the same boat i.e. that they shouldn't be helped. that the NRL should build it's own stadiums which the NRL has forever shied away, from.

There is a case for the community good, which is the case for a lot of "cricket" stadiums.
Who would decry the building of the MCG ? The MCG was built for the Olympics but spported by cricket and mainly Australian Football yet still accommodating many international events, sports and concerts.

Perth Stadium certainly wasn't built for Australian Football or even cricket. cricket said they were totally uninterested and Australian football said it was too expensive and they were happy with Subiaco. Perth Stadium was built with the idea of being multi-purpose.

Docklands was originally built for soccer but luckily Australian Football provided a use for it.

The stadiums that fit your criteria are professional rugby stadiums in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra.though occasionally soccer gets a look see as well.




Most people are aware that the leader of the Australian government is on an eto trip and insistent that $650 million of taxpayers money be wasted on a professional sport in a foreign country in a totally logic-deprived suggestion that somehow that will deter Chinese influence in PNG when the Australian government itself leased a strategic port to a Chinese company.
The idea is ill-conceived and can only be seen as provocation towards China and we all know that results in punitive tariffs on Australian goods which are just getting over after the last faux-pas by an Australian government leader.

 

[Philhawk]

NRL & Australian Federal Government: Announce PNG team for NRL

People In PNG: We don't care.

Most People involved in Australian Rugby League: HTF is this ever going to be practical or cost effective?

Rugby Leage Supporters from North Sydney, NSW Central Coast, Perth, Adelaide & Christchurch: WTF?

That’s a laugh

 

[||-GOB-||]

Besides a the clubs getting a cash injection, I don’t see how this helps the NRL.
It will bring average crowds down
It will thin out the playing ranks
It will likely see the PNG team uncompetitive for a long time, meaning more one sided games
The fete of the team lies with the government of a corrupt third world country

Happy to do something to help minimise China’s influence in our region, but not sure it actually benefits the NRL.

I don't think people deep in AFL fandom understand how significant the Hunters playing in the NRL will be, and your post in particular just reinforces it. The key value-add of the PNG Hunters will be the players as a resource, not the cash from sponsorships or five-city metro TV ratings.

While the AFL is starting to run into demographic challenges, two national governments are about to fund the developmental pathways for a nation where rugby league is the national sport.

To give you an idea of the impact it'll have, 40-50% of players in the NRL have Polynesian heritage yet Polynesian countries have historically been Union-playing nations with small populations (NZ is the largest at 5M+).

PNG has a population of at least 11M (UN reports say it's 17M) and RL is the national sport yet there are few Melanesians in the NRL. The lack of top-level professional players is directly due to the lack of pathways at an early age, as it takes longer to develop a body for contact sport.

I feel like it's a conservative estimate to say that Melanesians will end up as a quarter of the NRL's players. Not only that, it'll be another country to compete with in Test matches as we've seen with the increase of Polynesian players raising the standards for NZ, Tonga and Samoa. It's the kind of player pool expansion the AFL could only dream of.

While this is happening the AFL is expanding to Hobart and then probably Canberra, neither of which will bring any new players/fans/sponsors to the comp/sport (it's a bit incestuous for Aussie Rules as you have the same admin for both). Both new teams will likely need permanent central funding, salary cap exemptions and drafting kids from Victoria and the desert states. I wonder how long before fans start pushing back on having a quarter of the AFL literally leeching off the rest.

 

[Cmarsh]

I don't think people deep in AFL fandom understand how significant the Hunters playing in the NRL will be, and your post in particular just reinforces it. The key value-add of the PNG Hunters will be the players as a resource, not the cash from sponsorships or five-city metro TV ratings.

While the AFL is starting to run into demographic challenges, two national governments are about to fund the developmental pathways for a nation where rugby league is the national sport.

To give you an idea of the impact it'll have, 40-50% of players in the NRL have Polynesian heritage yet Polynesian countries have historically been Union-playing nations with small populations (NZ is the largest at 5M+).

PNG has a population of at least 11M (UN reports say it's 17M) and RL is the national sport yet there are few Melanesians in the NRL. The lack of top-level professional players is directly due to the lack of pathways at an early age, as it takes longer to develop a body for contact sport.

I feel like it's a conservative estimate to say that Melanesians will end up as a quarter of the NRL's players. Not only that, it'll be another country to compete with in Test matches as we've seen with the increase of Polynesian players raising the standards for NZ, Tonga and Samoa. It's the kind of player pool expansion the AFL could only dream of.

While this is happening the AFL is expanding to Hobart and then probably Canberra, neither of which will bring any new players/fans/sponsors to the comp/sport (it's a bit incestuous for Aussie Rules as you have the same admin for both). Both new teams will likely need permanent central funding, salary cap exemptions and drafting kids from Victoria and the desert states. I wonder how long before fans start pushing back on having a quarter of the AFL literally leeching off the rest.

Their body types are probably better suited to Aussie Rules. The AFL should look at pathways for that part of the world. Their have been PNG players in the AFL. Mal Michael and Bruce Reville come to mind.

 

[Aussie in exile]

Their body types are probably better suited to Aussie Rules. The AFL should look at pathways for that part of the world. Their have been PNG players in the AFL. Mal Michael and Bruce Reville come to mind.

I think that boat has sailed.

 

[Cmarsh]

I think that boat has sailed.

Why? Why should the $600m in Australian taxpayers money in PNG all be for RL?

 

[Atomboy]

Why? Why should the $600m in Australian taxpayers money in PNG all be for RL?

Move it to the NT and set-up a team and sports/health pathways for indigenous kids.

PNG needs half a billion spent on more important things than a rugby team who won’t be there in 10 years

 

[Aussie in exile]

Why? Why should the $600m in Australian taxpayers money in PNG all be for RL?

Because it's for political reasons and Rugby League is their national sport and no other sports gets within light years of being that popular there

 

[Aussie in exile]

Move it to the NT and set-up a team and sports/health pathways for indigenous kids.

PNG needs half a billion spent on more important things than a rugby team who won’t be there in 10 years

Canberra before the NT

 

[Cmarsh]

Because it's for political reasons and Rugby League is their national sport and no other sports gets within light years of being that popular there

The political reasons were soft power for Australian influence over China there. AFL had a good profile when Mal Michael was playing. But there was no follow up investment.

 

[Aussie in exile]

The political reasons were soft power for Australian influence over China there. AFL had a good profile when Mal Michael was playing. But there was no follow up investment.

Indeed, which proves my point that the boat has sailed.

 

[Atomboy]

Canberra before the NT

If you’re going to blow half a billion of taxpayers money on a team then prefer that done in the NT.

Agree on a Canberra team as well though, as long as they aren’t Nepo babies.

 

[Walshawk]

I don't think people deep in AFL fandom understand how significant the Hunters playing in the NRL will be, and your post in particular just reinforces it. The key value-add of the PNG Hunters will be the players as a resource, not the cash from sponsorships or five-city metro TV ratings.

While the AFL is starting to run into demographic challenges, two national governments are about to fund the developmental pathways for a nation where rugby league is the national sport.

To give you an idea of the impact it'll have, 40-50% of players in the NRL have Polynesian heritage yet Polynesian countries have historically been Union-playing nations with small populations (NZ is the largest at 5M+).

PNG has a population of at least 11M (UN reports say it's 17M) and RL is the national sport yet there are few Melanesians in the NRL. The lack of top-level professional players is directly due to the lack of pathways at an early age, as it takes longer to develop a body for contact sport.

I feel like it's a conservative estimate to say that Melanesians will end up as a quarter of the NRL's players. Not only that, it'll be another country to compete with in Test matches as we've seen with the increase of Polynesian players raising the standards for NZ, Tonga and Samoa. It's the kind of player pool expansion the AFL could only dream of.

While this is happening the AFL is expanding to Hobart and then probably Canberra, neither of which will bring any new players/fans/sponsors to the comp/sport (it's a bit incestuous for Aussie Rules as you have the same admin for both). Both new teams will likely need permanent central funding, salary cap exemptions and drafting kids from Victoria and the desert states. I wonder how long before fans start pushing back on having a quarter of the AFL literally leeching off the rest.

I disagree. There are currently how many players with PNG heritage in the NRL? Three? It is already their national sport so if there is that much talent in PNG wouldn’t the NRL clubs be mining that? How many years before there is a full squad of 30 from PNG? I will say at least z20 years. Possible forever. Until then, they are a drain on the playing strength of the game.

 

[RedV3x]

I think that boat has sailed.

Just the opposite.
The AFL has established pathways where previously there were none..

 

[RedV3x]

Because it's for political reasons and Rugby League is their national sport and no other sports gets within light years of being that popular there

that's like saying Aussie Rules is the national sport of Australia and nothing else matters.

 

[Cmarsh]

Indeed, which proves my point that the boat has sailed.

No it doesn't proove your point. What it does show is more investment could revive what was once there. The AFL should be asking for a slice of the investment pie.

 

[bigleague]

I disagree. There are currently how many players with PNG heritage in the NRL? Three? It is already their national sport so if there is that much talent in PNG wouldn’t the NRL clubs be mining that? How many years before there is a full squad of 30 from PNG? I will say at least z20 years. Possible forever. Until then, they are a drain on the playing strength of the game.

The PNG Hunters already play in the qld cup and are very competitive, they won the comp a few years ago, all with png players. The under 20s drew a game against the junior kangaroos last year as well. Formalising pathways & having real funding behind it will only enhance their player development. Something that may have been lost is that $250m of the $600m is actually for RL development in Fiji, Samoa & Tonga as well, which will again only enhance the pathways for nrl talent into a PNG franchise & the nrl more broadly. PNG are not going to be a drain on the NRL’s resources at all.

 

[bigleague]

No it doesn't proove your point. What it does show is more investment could revive what was once there. The AFL should be asking for a slice of the investment pie.

It’s not a case of the nrl gets $600m so the afl should too. PNG don’t want it.

 

[Aussie in exile]

No it doesn't proove your point. What it does show is more investment could revive what was once there. The AFL should be asking for a slice of the investment pie.

When the AFL had the chance to invest in PNG they didn't. They just paid lip servive to it.

 

[RedV3x]

When the AFL had the chance to invest in PNG they didn't.

When was this great opportunity you keep talking about.

They just paid lip servive to it.

The AFL established pathways via Queensland.
The AFL have assisted AFLPNG. and the the AFL PNG has greatly expanded.

 

[Aussie in exile]

When was this great opportunity you keep talking about.



The AFL established pathways via Queensland.
The AFL have assisted AFLPNG. and the the AFL PNG has greatly expanded.

Google Australian rules football in PNG and all will be revealed.

 

[Aussie in exile]

When was this great opportunity you keep talking about.



The AFL established pathways via Queensland.
The AFL have assisted AFLPNG. and the the AFL PNG has greatly expanded.

In Queensland, but not PNG then?

 

[RedV3x]

In Queensland, but not PNG then?

"The AFL established pathways via Queensland."
means that The AFL established pathways within the PNG to formal destinations in Queensland.
tasmania has been another notable destination.

"Hewago "Ace" Oea is a prominent Papua New Guinea-born player for the Gold Coast Suns in the AFL. He is the first AFL player to have learned the game and come through the sports development system in PNG. Oea is known for his skills and is considered an inspiration for young athletes in the PNG."
"The AFL have assisted AFLPNG. and the the AFL PNG has greatly expanded.:

" Australian Rules Football (AFL) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a long history, with the Port Moresby Australian Rules Football League (POM AFL) being the longest-running league outside of Australia, founded in 1955. The sport boomed in the 1960s and 70s, with PNG's representative sides reaching a high level of competitiveness. AFL PNG was officially incorporated in 2001, further solidifying the sport's presence in the country.

Key Milestones:

• 1955: The POM AFL is founded, marking the beginning of organized AFL in PNG.
  

• 1960s-1970s: The sport experiences a boom, with PNG teams reaching a high level of competition, even playing against VFL clubs and international teams.
  
  
• 1973: A national team begins to form, primarily to tour Australia and play against Indigenous teams.
  
  
• 1975: The first international test between PNG and Nauru is played, won by PNG.
  
  
• 2000: AFL invests in PNG, appointing Andrew Cadzow as the AFL development officer in Port Moresby.
  
  
• 2001: AFL PNG is officially incorporated.
  
  
• 2005: A strategic partnership is established with AFL Queensland, offering scholarships to Papuan players and pathways to the AFL.
  
  
• 2022: The AFL South Pacific High-Performance Pathway is launched, providing training programs and regional competitions for young players from PNG, Nauru, and Fiji.
  
  
• Present: AFL PNG continues to develop talent, coordinate intrastate games, and support the sport financially

"Australian Rules Football (AFL) enjoys a significant level of participation in Papua New Guinea (PNG), with organized programs involving over 100,000 people, including a substantial female participation rate. PNG has the largest number of registered Australian rules footballers outside of Australia, with senior and junior competitions in major population centers"

 

[Aussie in exile]

"The AFL established pathways via Queensland."
means that The AFL established pathways within the PNG to formal destinations in Queensland.
tasmania has been another notable destination.

"Hewago "Ace" Oea is a prominent Papua New Guinea-born player for the Gold Coast Suns in the AFL. He is the first AFL player to have learned the game and come through the sports development system in PNG. Oea is known for his skills and is considered an inspiration for young athletes in the PNG."
"The AFL have assisted AFLPNG. and the the AFL PNG has greatly expanded.:

" Australian Rules Football (AFL) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a long history, with the Port Moresby Australian Rules Football League (POM AFL) being the longest-running league outside of Australia, founded in 1955. The sport boomed in the 1960s and 70s, with PNG's representative sides reaching a high level of competitiveness. AFL PNG was officially incorporated in 2001, further solidifying the sport's presence in the country.

Key Milestones:

• 1955: The POM AFL is founded, marking the beginning of organized AFL in PNG.
• 1960s-1970s: The sport experiences a boom, with PNG teams reaching a high level of competition, even playing against VFL clubs and international teams.
  
  
• 1973: A national team begins to form, primarily to tour Australia and play against Indigenous teams.
  
  
• 1975: The first international test between PNG and Nauru is played, won by PNG.
  
  
• 2000: AFL invests in PNG, appointing Andrew Cadzow as the AFL development officer in Port Moresby.
  
  
• 2001: AFL PNG is officially incorporated.
  
  
• 2005: A strategic partnership is established with AFL Queensland, offering scholarships to Papuan players and pathways to the AFL.
  
  
• 2022: The AFL South Pacific High-Performance Pathway is launched, providing training programs and regional competitions for young players from PNG, Nauru, and Fiji.
  
  
• Present: AFL PNG continues to develop talent, coordinate intrastate games, and support the sport financially

"Australian Rules Football (AFL) enjoys a significant level of participation in Papua New Guinea (PNG), with organized programs involving over 100,000 people, including a substantial female participation rate. PNG has the largest number of registered Australian rules footballers outside of Australia, with senior and junior competitions in major population centers"

Well with the lack of PNG players, playing AF here suggests it hasn't been a success compared to PNG players here playing Rugby League here and overseas.