City-country

[East Coast Tiger]

How do you know im not involved professor? How do you know where i live, where i f**king come from or what i do brains?

The irony of someone with your limited intellectual clout calling someone ignorant would be f**king laughable if wasn't so sad.

Basically you're a whinging merkin who if something doesn’t go the way they want it to blames everyone and calls them ignorant and hopeless.

Yet you're too insubstantial to do anything about it which is the nub of your tantrum rants. You wish you had the power to change things but you don't, won't and never will. So instead you hop on your computer and rave on like the sad fool you are.

I know because no one who actually cares about country rugby league or even knows even the simplest things about it would wank off such an utterly stupid post as you did.

Like I've said, have a look at what people who do know and care are saying about it. You won't find twats making up shit lists of imaginary pros and cons but then calling other people "sad" without a hint of irony.

 

[franklin2323]

If Penrith play a Finals game in Bathurst, their fans can stay out there for the race on the Mountain.

haha. Great in theory you struggle to get rooms now when the game is there. So it has many many advantages

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Gosford is deemed Country.

Roosters play a couple of games there, all is sweet.

 

[Timmah]

If you think this forum represents the views of country people or even country fans of the game, you're kidding. My views are absolutely consistent with what you'll find in bush footy circles. Yet it's not even expressed by anyone other than me on here. That sums it up. Have a look at the CRL Facebook page or even non-RL sources like the ABC and you actually get a sense of what people in the bush think of this.

The world isn't black and white, ECT. Many shades of grey.

I didn't infer this forum represents the views of country people or country fans of the game, I only implied that your opinion isn't the only one and to be honest, no matter how much you might like to, you don't speak for the entirety of the bush footy community.

The fact you resorted to insults immediately when someone presented a view contrary to your own speaks volumes, though.

 

[Timmah]

Do you have a clearance from your previous club to post that?

Previous club? What the f**k are you on about?

 

[BestHookerFarrah]

You know nothing about CRL, Timmah. ECT is 100% correct.

 

[Spot On]

Can't believe it's lasted this long.

A pointless game tbh.

That said, the powers that be need to do something about the state of the game in the bush, not that the city v country fixture was going to fix it.

They need to do something monumental to fix the shit that is country RL.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Previous club? What the f**k are you on about?

Oh c'mon Timmah, what did ECT have an epic meltdown about earlier this year? It was a tongue in cheek reference to that.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

The world isn't black and white, ECT. Many shades of grey.

I didn't infer this forum represents the views of country people or country fans of the game, I only implied that your opinion isn't the only one and to be honest, no matter how much you might like to, you don't speak for the entirety of the bush footy community.

The fact you resorted to insults immediately when someone presented a view contrary to your own speaks volumes, though.

And as yet you have provided absolutely nothing of value on the topic but still want to police others who have. As usual.

I can guarantee my view of this topic is absolutely inkeeping with the views of people involved in bush football whether you want to accept that or not. The fact these voices are not represented on this forum is one thing, the fact the one person who presents them is basically told to shut up probably explains why. And I note those who posted nothing but insults against me haven't earnt your pedantry wrath. Which speaks volumes.

 

[adamkungl]

Can't believe it's lasted this long.

A pointless game tbh.

That said, the powers that be need to do something about the state of the game in the bush, not that the city v country fixture was going to fix it.

They need to do something monumental to fix the shit that is country RL.

Is Country RL actually a monumental shit or is it just a thing repeated by Rothfield to bag the NRL?

The NRL annual report states quite impressive growth in CRL comps.

I've asked someone involved with the CRL and was told while funding could always be better the "Country RL is dying" line that gets trotted out is not true (referencing the above growth) and is largely unhelpful.

A sport can't turn around declining country towns, certainly not with a single game. The days of bush footy being comparable to Sydney first grade are long gone and as such a large part of CvC's relevance. If the NRL follows through with their word about putting NRL games into country towns at the cost of CvC it will be a net positive for everyone.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Current Australian side, nsw born players
Josh Dugan, Tuggeranong
Greg Inglis, Macksville
Boyd Cordner, Taree
Shannan Boyd, Cowra
Trent Merrin, Shellharbour
Tyson Frizell, Corrimal

Aaron Woods, Sydney
Dave Klemmer, Sydney

Yep. Bush footy is dying alright.

 

[Timmah]

Oh c'mon Timmah, what did ECT have an epic meltdown about earlier this year? It was a tongue in cheek reference to that.

I've had ECT on ignore most of the year to be honest, and don't even remember why.

And as yet you have provided absolutely nothing of value on the topic but still want to police others who have. As usual.

I can guarantee my view of this topic is absolutely inkeeping with the views of people involved in bush football whether you want to accept that or not. The fact these voices are not represented on this forum is one thing, the fact the one person who presents them is basically told to shut up probably explains why. And I note those who posted nothing but insults against me haven't earnt your pedantry wrath. Which speaks volumes.

Actually I posted my thoughts on the topic before I engaged with your rubbish:

CvC has died before and been resurrected. Unless a suitable alternative (read: all Sydney clubs having a mandated country game, or the NRL holding a dedicated country round) is found, then it'll probably come back within 5 or 10 years.

Regardless of that fact you kindly ignored that, let me address your subsequent complaints.

I'm not suggesting your views are not shared by the CRL community, I'm disputing the fact that your views are shared by ALL of the CRL community as you seem to have declared yourself spokesperson for. For example, while you're fiercely defensive of the Country-City game and sceptical that any move to replace it with alternatives will be successful, there might be others in that community who think the game is a waste of time and there are better ways to do things.

You can state your position as much as you like, I'm not telling you to shut up and I don't think anyone else is either. But it's a bit rich labelling me a forum cop when you're slamming down anyone who dare express something that's not in line with your views on this matter.

 

[Charlie124]

Why doesn't Qld do City/Country?

Because it's super f**king dumb.

 

[Timmah]

Because it's super f**king dumb.

I rate the Country Week celebration the QRL do with Intrust Super Cup (and in more recent times the NSWRL's albeit minimal attempts to do the same).

How is it received in country areas in QLD?

 

[Spot On]

Is Country RL actually a monumental shit or is it just a thing repeated by Rothfield to bag the NRL?

The NRL annual report states quite impressive growth in CRL comps.

I've asked someone involved with the CRL and was told while funding could always be better the "Country RL is dying" line that gets trotted out is not true (referencing the above growth) and is largely unhelpful.

A sport can't turn around declining country towns, certainly not with a single game. The days of bush footy being comparable to Sydney first grade are long gone and as such a large part of CvC's relevance. If the NRL follows through with their word about putting NRL games into country towns at the cost of CvC it will be a net positive for everyone.

Group 2 is a mess mate. The jnr teams are almost non existant above Under 12's. The number of teams below the 12's is also a very big worry.The seniors needed the 2 Grafton teams to leave Group 1 and join beginning 2014 to save it really. They've injected some quality and won every comp since they entered. The group doesn't have enough refs to run the games on one day each weekend anymore.

I know it's only a snap shot of the CRL but If that's a good state of affairs then I'll admit Brisbane play by the salary cap rules.

The NRL has been well and truly left for dead when it comes to infiltration into the schools. I don' think there's much argument there. Speaking to a development officer recently about this and he thinks the AFL have made pretty good inroads into the jnrs around the area. It seems to be the sport that is growing.

Maybe we could see some of the facts your CRL friend has to paint a much better picture. However, I'm only interested in the number of jnr and snr playing rugby league. I don't care about Oztag and touch numbers or any other tricky accounting that sells a particular 'look' for the game. I'm only talking rugby league numbers.

I don't think there are many in the forum who can confidently speak about the exact state of the game in the bush, as a whole across the state, so getting some hard, fast facts on playing numbers around each group - both jnr and snr, over a decent period of time may help us judge how things really look.

Now, where do we get those numbers? I'll be able to vouch for the Group 2 numbers. They are at an all time low.

Can anyone comment on other groups around the place?

 

[POPEYE]

Current Australian side, nsw born players
Josh Dugan, Tuggeranong
Greg Inglis, Macksville
Boyd Cordner, Taree
Shannan Boyd, Cowra
Trent Merrin, Shellharbour
Tyson Frizell, Corrimal

Aaron Woods, Sydney
Dave Klemmer, Sydney

Yep. Bush footy is dying alright.

and I can guarantee you that an NRL team west of the Blueys wouldn't have to import as many Qld'rs or 'Sydney' born'n'bredders, combined with country folk thinking nothing of travelling a couple of hours to watch Group 10/11 games. The Roosters and some others wouldn't match the country crowds and Mudgee for instance is a world class venue. Anyone who thinks there isn't money following the coal seam in the bush is an idiot

 

[adamkungl]

Group 2 is a mess mate. The jnr teams are almost non existant above Under 12's. The number of teams below the 12's is also a very big worry.The seniors needed the 2 Grafton teams to leave Group 1 and join beginning 2014 to save it really. They've injected some quality and won every comp since they entered. The group doesn't have enough refs to run the games on one day each weekend anymore.

I know it's only a snap shot of the CRL but If that's a good state of affairs then I'll admit Brisbane play by the salary cap rules.

The NRL has been well and truly left for dead when it comes to infiltration into the schools. I don' think there's much argument there. Speaking to a development officer recently about this and he thinks the AFL have made pretty good inroads into the jnrs around the area. It seems to be the sport that is growing.

Maybe we could see some of the facts your CRL friend has to paint a much better picture. However, I'm only interested in the number of jnr and snr playing rugby league. I don't care about Oztag and touch numbers or any other tricky accounting that sells a particular 'look' for the game. I'm only talking rugby league numbers.

I don't think there are many in the forum who can confidently speak about the exact state of the game in the bush, as a whole across the state, so getting some hard, fast facts on playing numbers around each group - both jnr and snr, over a decent period of time may help us judge how things really look.

Now, where do we get those numbers? I'll be able to vouch for the Group 2 numbers. They are at an all time low.

Can anyone comment on other groups around the place?

Fair enough.

Looking into further:

The only actual numbers i've seen are the 2015 NRL annual report which claims player numbers are stable at ~53000 over the last couple of years, but with less clubs participating. I don't believe this includes Touch.
They note that there has been an 86% increase in Womens RL over the last 2 years to bring them up to 5500 players in the country.
Which means if total numbers are stable there has been a loss of 2500 players in mens and juniors.

Earlier I said there was decent growth - unfortunately I had mixed it up with the QLD numbers where they apparently had an increase of 11,000 odd players 2014-15.

I'm not trying to argue either way. I don't think it's all doom and gloom and it's at least in part due to declining fortunes of many towns, but there are obviously some issues and the NRL should be doing more.

The reason I brought it up is trying to get some clarity around blanket statements like "bush footy is dying" which are often said but rarely backed up.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

I would have liked the city country to be just for younger players. Maybe in the under 23 or under 25. Even if it wasn't a true origin selection it'd still be useful. See how the up and coming players handle a step up, how they handle a week in camp, how they handle playing in an alien team environment.
As for the city country as an event, it could easily be replaced by more nrl games in country areas.
I think state cup teams based in rural areas would be a huge step forward for the country game

Yes I would've replaced the City/Country fixture with this kind of fixture. Under 23s City Vs Country Origin or City Under 20s Vs Country Under 20s, or both.

See this fixture has been played down for so many years and theres been talk about it being replaced by more NRL games in the bush. Now that its been scrapped, is there any real plans to take more games to the bush??

Fair enough get rid of a 'pointless' fixture, but what is the NRL planning to do to keep the game alive in the Country??

I mean Ive been hearing so much about how the NRL does bugger all in places like Bathurst, Orange, Moore, Tamworth, Wagga, Parkes, Nyngan, Bega, Armidale.

I remember the old days of the Tooheys pre season Challenge and those places used to get those mid week games.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

Right decision (should have happened about 10 years ago)...

 

[POPEYE]

Cutting to the chase, bush RL needs to be rewarded with more than the pissant Country/City match so the sooner it goes the better. Then perhaps repercussions, subtle they may be in the form of lost interest in the game itself, will force the NRL out of the dark ages and a they will play top echelon games where they belong