Like me.country leagues - not to mention the masters competitions - have some surprisingly old players. You dont know what you're talking about.
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Like me.country leagues - not to mention the masters competitions - have some surprisingly old players. You dont know what you're talking about.
I still play, and I'm mid 50s, and it isn't touch. Old people playing tackle footy has been a growth area for years.
I do however agree that soccer has more social games as it's easier and safer.
But I think this means the opposite in terms of the future of the sport, than you think it does.
A guy I play old man footy with has a sports mad and competitive daughter, always at the footy club, but she played soccer (no girls footy teams). She made state junior squads etc.
When female footy started, she didn't want to play because she loved soccer. She is now captain of the premier footy team. She switched because she got tired of busting her arse playing soccer, when half the players on the field regarded it as social sport, never tried, and never cared if they won or lost.
I have a long held theory.
Soccer has high participation in this country, because it's seen as easy.
It has a much higher percentage of people play in social settings. It has a higher drop of after younger age groups, because it's one of the premier sports for people not that into sports, to play.
If little Johnny doesn't care about sports, isn't athletic or coordinated, and isn't from a "sports" family, but parents think he should mix, and get exercise, they are much more likely to take him to soccer, than footy or league.
That footy is harder to play, and harder to organise social games for, then those that do play tend to be more serious about it. Older unfit guys playing soccer seem more likely to keep playing in lower grades, as they get older, where footy players are more likely to retire totally.
And yet, there are more club players in footy.
Imop, the number of people playing footy, that take it seriously, that play to win and train to win, is MUCH higher in footy, than in soccer. And these people are much more likely to be committed fans and supporters.
My youngest son played soccer until he was 18. But he isn't really into sport. He doesn't watch or follow the A league, or any other leagues (or sports for that matter). Last world cup, he would start watching a game he said he was looking forward to, and without fail, by half time, he was on the play station.
I think soccer is full of people like him.
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NRL didn’t become national until the 80s (by getting Canberra) then bigger with Brisbane, Gold Coast Newcastle in 88, not 1908.
Interesting you say the NRL started in 1908 yet don’t say the AFL started back earlier than 1996.
Hell Football even brag about having the 1st national competition. So it’s weird but not surprising you disregard it as it doesn’t fit your “woe is soccer” argument
I knew you would spin this into a condescending response.
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Let me put it this way; Rugby League & afl have been the dominant sport in their respective part of the country longer than anybody on this board has been alive.
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To suggest the nsl contained anything other than ethnic teams with limited appeal is wrong.
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Up until this century big cities such as Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane & Melbourne didn't have any professional teams which could gain broad support.
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Currently Victory, Sydney FC & Wanderers are by most metrics far more successful than any nsl club & all have been established since 2005.
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This is the headstart NRL & afl have over soccer.
Fair enough but I disagree. In the last few years we've seen changes to address head injuries in all sports. Previously when a cricket player was hit they'd bat on but now we see concussion protocols for all knocks & public debate on the sport.
Lots of experts are making similar predictions suggesting the days of contact sports may be numbered.
What it means for future of professional leagues I don't know
You can get head injuries in a car accident to. Are the days of automobiles numbered.Fair enough but I disagree. In the last few years we've seen changes to address head injuries in all sports. Previously when a cricket player was hit they'd bat on but now we see concussion protocols for all knocks & public debate on the sport.
Lots of experts are making similar predictions suggesting the days of contact sports may be numbered.
What it means for future of professional leagues I don't know
I still play, and I'm mid 50s, and it isn't touch. Old people playing tackle footy has been a growth area for years.
I do however agree that soccer has more social games as it's easier and safer.
But I think this means the opposite in terms of the future of the sport, than you think it does.
A guy I play old man footy with has a sports mad and competitive daughter, always at the footy club, but she played soccer (no girls footy teams). She made state junior squads etc.
When female footy started, she didn't want to play because she loved soccer. She is now captain of the premier footy team. She switched because she got tired of busting her arse playing soccer, when half the players on the field regarded it as social sport, never tried, and never cared if they won or lost.
I have a long held theory.
Soccer has high participation in this country, because it's seen as easy.
It has a much higher percentage of people play in social settings. It has a higher drop of after younger age groups, because it's one of the premier sports for people not that into sports, to play.
If little Johnny doesn't care about sports, isn't athletic or coordinated, and isn't from a "sports" family, but parents think he should mix, and get exercise, they are much more likely to take him to soccer, than footy or league.
I had the same experience when I was involved in junior footy until about two years ago (kids grew up). even the hand full of talented sports kids who didn't play junior footy in our area were hoovered up because the clubs and smarter dad's would hear they could catch a ball and lean on their parents to let them out of soccer/ tennis to play once a week etc. a few of this kids became permanent cross overs. a few played for a few years and went back to tennis (tennis parents are nuts). soccer kids tended to stay.That's certainly the case where I am. The kids that are generally competitive athletes play footy, the more unathletic kids play soccer (or piano). There are a few exceptions, but that's the general rule. In my son's 100m A division race, there were 9 kids. 7 play footy, 1 plays rugby. Can't remember who the other kid was.
Of course that doesn't mean that's the case across Australia. Sydney has a much, much higher participation rate in soccer than pretty much every other city, so I suspect that would include a lot more of the best athletes. Pippen94 's experience may be a lot different to ours if he's lived his whole life in Sydney - maybe he thinks the whole country is like that.
In saying that, I don't doubt that the fortunes of the national team have sunk because of their inability to get a share of the country's good athletes. Based on sheer participation the Socceroos should be a lot better than they are. Smaller European countries like Croatia, Portugal and even the Netherlands have had so much better results than us over the last 10-15 years, but the difference is that in those countries I bet most kids grow up wanting to play the game, which importantly would include a big chunk of kids that are good athletes. That makes a huge difference at the top end.
That's certainly the case where I am. The kids that are generally competitive athletes play footy, the more unathletic kids play soccer (or piano). There are a few exceptions, but that's the general rule. In my son's 100m A division race, there were 9 kids. 7 play footy, 1 plays rugby. Can't remember who the other kid was.
Of course that doesn't mean that's the case across Australia. Sydney has a much, much higher participation rate in soccer than pretty much every other city, so I suspect that would include a lot more of the best athletes. Pippen94 's experience may be a lot different to ours if he's lived his whole life in Sydney - maybe he thinks the whole country is like that.
In saying that, I don't doubt that the fortunes of the national team have sunk because of their inability to get a share of the country's good athletes. Based on sheer participation the Socceroos should be a lot better than they are. Smaller European countries like Croatia, Portugal and even the Netherlands have had so much better results than us over the last 10-15 years, but the difference is that in those countries I bet most kids grow up wanting to play the game, which importantly would include a big chunk of kids that are good athletes. That makes a huge difference at the top end.
my kids played soccer for a bit when they were tiny in cairns. registration fees were prohibitive and we had no money at the time. something like $400 for 5-year-olds. my prep son got belittled by nutty parents for turning up to training in a geelong jumper. pleased my kids lost interest.I think the other factor (in addition to soccer getting a pretty small share of the best athletes) is the appalling culture and limited resources in terms of talent pathways. So even for the occasional talented athlete that hangs around its a krapshoot
My kids played footy and soccer. The youngest, the least interested in sport, stayed with soccer. The oldest switched to footy at about 14/15, went on to play senior footy. Has coached soccer though, so he didnt abandon the sport. He even had a Perth Glory membership at one point, because he had a mad keen fan mate. But that lasted one year, fleeting interest the year after, hasn't watched since as far as I am aware.I had the same experience when I was involved in junior footy until about two years ago (kids grew up). even the hand full of talented sports kids who didn't play junior footy in our area were hoovered up because the clubs and smarter dad's would hear they could catch a ball and lean on their parents to let them out of soccer/ tennis to play once a week etc. a few of this kids became permanent cross overs. a few played for a few years and went back to tennis (tennis parents are nuts). soccer kids tended to stay.
As a general rule, general athleticism is far more important in Australian Football than soccer.
In the two years Del Piero played with SFC, he could barely run 20m, but he absolutely dominated with pure skill and class at the age of 38.
Having said that, at the very elite levels of soccer, they are mostly very good athletes, for example, Ronaldo is a superb athlete (although his Brazilian namesake wasn't!)
At the elite level they are all pretty amazing athletes. That’s also why you now see junior sides from England and France with huge over representations of players of African descent.As a general rule, general athleticism is far more important in Australian Football than soccer.
In the two years Del Piero played with SFC, he could barely run 20m, but he absolutely dominated with pure skill and class at the age of 38.
Having said that, at the very elite levels of soccer, they are mostly very good athletes, for example, Ronaldo is a superb athlete (although his Brazilian namesake wasn't!)
As a general rule, general athleticism is far more important in Australian Football than soccer.
In the two years Del Piero played with SFC, he could barely run 20m, but he absolutely dominated with pure skill and class at the age of 38.
Having said that, at the very elite levels of soccer, they are mostly very good athletes, for example, Ronaldo is a superb athlete (although his Brazilian namesake wasn't!)
World Rugby in 2020, & for many years, has stated that contact RU is growing strongly in many parts of the world- including US, many European countries, Japan & Latin America.Contact sport participation is dropping throughout world [Another lie. But correct in Aust. for RL & RU only- & AF will capitalise]
This is absurd, tackling has been part of AF for 162 years, & will be for the next 162 years+.afl has to ban tackling[No]
As the average skill level in the NRL continues to deteriorate (a big problem now in the NRL, according to many MSM RL experts linked in this, & "3rd Sydney Team" Threads), it is very likely that NSW (& ACT, & Qld. etc) fan interest will continue to decline in the NRL.Afl will never approach... fan interest of Rugby League or even Wallabies in Sydney
The 1.716m "participants" in AF are the AFL's Official Regd. "participant" nos. for 2019- these nos., in their Annual Reports, are independently audited by Tier 1 accountancy firms. It would be a very serious breach if the AFL gave false information to Sports Australia (formerly ASC) or ASIC.That's why I especially don't trust afl numbers [Troll]
NRL started in 1908 & afl in 1996 & have been dominent in respective states since.
First national comp for soccer was 1977 but if you want to get technical Perth didn't join till 1990's. With exception of Canberra in first year & towards end of 90's with Breakers & Glory all team were ethnic & didn't represent broader community - that's only happened since 2005. To act like these codes have had same footing is bullshit
Say what now? Australian Football started in 1856, and was played in all states and territories before Rugby league was a thing in this country.
If the AFL started in 1996 - it didnt by any measure - the NRL didnt start until 1998.
The NRL doesnt have teams anywhere outside the east coast. the NRL doesnt have the same footing as the AFL and acting like it is bullshit.
Question since when is using obscene language in posts bullshit ok ?Say what now? Australian Football started in 1856, and was played in all states and territories before Rugby league was a thing in this country.
If the AFL started in 1996 - it didnt by any measure - the NRL didnt start until 1998.
The NRL doesnt have teams anywhere outside the east coast. the NRL doesnt have the same footing as the AFL and acting like it is bullshit.
Question since when is using obscene language in posts bullshit ok ?
Well it sure looks good on the surface BUT what is the AFL going to do about the mainstream sports media in Brisbane and Sydney. They lean heavily to the NRL currently. The Australian daily print newspaper (Sydney Based) usually has articles on the NRL EVERY DAY but not our game.Brisbane Times T. Crockford 19.10.20
After the Prelim. Final, Qld. Tourism Minister K. Jones said
"We have seen over the past 5 years a 500% increase in the number of girls playing AFL in Qld.".
(Confused K. Jones has erred- certainly a 500% increase is FAR too high: possibly a post 2017 AFLW, 500% increase in female 5 & 6 y.o. in Qld. Auskick? AFL 2019 official regd. nos. show Qld. has the highest % of female players in Aust.- c.42% of regd. players in Qld. are female).
Then G. McLachlan said
""The ratings...I'm really confident that will translate to growth at community level...we were the number one watched code by a mile, & now in Qld. as well...I'm not saying we're the number one sport [in the State], but its nice to be in the conversation".
Queensland reaps AFL rewards with $70m boost, record junior club numbers
There has also been a 500 per cent increase in girls playing the sport in the Sunshine State over the past five years.www.brisbanetimes.com.au
All sports' Officials from all sports would like to be "the no. one sport"- at least saying this privately.
There has, AFAIK, only been one other AFL official to ever publicly utter similar sentiments about hoping or wanting to be "number one" in NSW, ACT, or Qld.
ie M. Fitzpatrick, after he resigned as AFL Commission Chair, said in 2018 he wanted AF to be the primary code (undefined) on the whole east coast of Australia.
Canberra Times C. Dutton 28.4.17
In 2017, McLachlan said he wanted AF to be the dominant code in the ACT.
McLachlan said
"And I'm hoping in 5 years time, its unassailably number one".
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan wants sport to dominate Canberra market via GWS Giants
AFL boss wants sport to be the No. 1 sport in Canberra off the back of the GWS...www.canberratimes.com.au
AF in 2020 has FAR more GR club & school comp. players in the ACT than RL- more than RU also, but less than soccer. NRL probably has more fans, due to the Raiders.
If the ACT (after Tas. became the 19th AFL club) became the 20th AFL Club (or at least shared- 5/6 home games-a Club with eg Campbelltown), then AF would dominate the ACT.
EDIT:
espn.com A. Wingard 21.10
Wingard said "Football's footprint in Qld. continues to grow...".
G. McLachlan said
"It does feel like we're closer than ever [to becoming Qld.'s no.1 sporting code] & the momentum is incredible...Right now, it feels like it's close to being Qld.'s game...we have incredible momentum here in Qld. People can't get enough AFL up here".
C. Scott said "Qld. footy is going to benefit from this for years to come...".
Can the AFL capitalise on its momentum in Queensland?
With just the Grand Final left to play in this crazy season, celebrations have commenced across a state which has been transformed into football's makeshift Mecca, writes Anthony Wingard.www.espn.com.au
who cares? a) nobody buys the Oz for its sport coverage. b) nobody buys the Oz much anyway. c) it's a Murdoch vanity project which blows in the direction in which he farts.Well it sure looks good on the surface BUT what is the AFL going to do about the mainstream sports media in Brisbane and Sydney. They lean heavily to the NRL currently. The Australian daily print newspaper (Sydney Based) usually has articles on the NRL EVERY DAY but not our game.
When that changes we may see things change - Just asking.
Agree about Murdoch and his non influence but the point is the Main Stream Media in Sydney is still NRL leaning. Yeah I know everyone uses their phones now for sports coverage which leads to the point of --- How many Mobile users of the AFL Website are based in Sydney. We will never know likely.who cares? a) nobody buys the Oz for its sport coverage. b) nobody buys the Oz much anyway. c) it's a Murdoch vanity project which blows in the direction in which he farts.