Is League the most hated code?

[Paley]

Ever since rugby first split from union it has had crap thrown at it in the media - paying players honestly was an act of treason apparently. Here the game was declared "Unbritish" because it allowed working class players to receive compensation for time taken off work to play - in union only middle and upper class players could claim expenses. So by being honest rugby was "unbritish" while by being deceitful and elitist union was heaped with praise.

Personally I prefer a decent sport which retained it dignity such as rugby to a sport built on lies such as union.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Southern AFL types seem to hate any other football code... although as they probably perceive RL as the biggest threat, they shoot the most barbs in that direction.. They are still very ignorant about both the Rugby codes, and most would not be able to explain the differences in the game...

I am amazed though at the genuine hatred that a lot of Union types have for Rugby League.... this is not just an Australian thing either, and I know through my work a lot of Poms and NZ union fans that genuinely hate the game, and believe all the stereotypes about RL fans and players being lower class dumb thugs.... Is their some indoctrination that they go through at their Junior Rugby Union club or something??

 

[LESStar58]

We cop the most and its mainly from "award winning" journos like Pat Smith who is, in essence, an AFL journo but likes to think he can comment on everything.

Personally, I think it mainly comes from the AFL media. They say they aren't afraid of soccer and, coincidently, they do not bag it. The AFL media do bag league and I think it's seen as a threat.

Victorians always have and always will take the slightest interest in league when it comes to Origin but when commentators start labelling us neanderthals it probably is a sign that they are afraid the tide is turning....

I am a league fan through and through but there are times when i supported AFL and union sides. Now I dont support anything but RL because the products on display from the AFL and the ARU bore the bejesus out of me.

 

[LESStar58]

I'd say league is brilliant on the box and awesome when you are at the game.

AFL is garbage on the box and even more tedious at the game.

Amen brother!

 

[Woods99]

I don't why AFL fans would be so defensive though? They must know League isn't going to rapidly swamp Victoria and kill their code. AFL has also had decent growth nationally. Why be so fearful? I just don't understand some of these attacks on League. Is there something about the game that just annoys people?

I have said this before, and I will say it again. The general attitude of Victorians towards New South Wales is negative. Middle class people and other opinion leaders see Sydney as being crass, nouveau riche, and unattractive.

Because league is seen as essentially a Sydney game, it attracts similar opprobrium to that directed towards our city.

Poor standards of player behaviour over a number of years have added to the negative opinion of the sport amongst Victorians.

The general standards and demeanour of AFL commentators and journalists is somewhat higher and less ocker than that of league. This adds to the general perception that league is essentially a lower class sport centred in a lower class city.

Don't shoot me, I am only the messenger.:lol:

 

[JW]

Woods -> TFC

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

lol @ Woods.

Sam Newman, Rex Hunt et al are less ocker than League commentators?

You follow Union and live on the central coast you softcock, what would you know about Victoria?

They care less about Union than they do League.

Get back in your box girlyman....

 

[LeagueXIII]

Most of the attacks come from union and AFL media lackies, we have what they both desperatly want, the Sydney market which is worth millions, take RL out of Sydney and they wouldn't care about us. There seems to be some form of social engineering going on, it is not today that we need to worry about it is 20 years from now. The media seem to focus on woman, who have most influence on family decision making. They paint the game as a sport which is anti-female, drinking, violent etc. Whilst AFL tries to show itself as caring and in touch with society.

 

[Woods99]

lol @ Woods.

Sam Newman, Rex Hunt et al are less ocker than League commentators?

Most AFL commentators and journalists are plainly better educated and less abrasive than the average league commentator.

You follow Union and live on the central coast you softcock, what would you know about Victoria?

I spent several years based in Melbourne, running an IT services company which employed about 100 Victorians and marketed its products and services to local banking and financial institutions. What do you know about Melbourne?

They care less about Union than they do League.

Oh. So that is why they were so irritated when their bid to host the next Super Rugby franchise lost out to Perth?

That is why they have produced 30 odd Wallabies over the years, including the current coach of the Waratahs?

That is why rugby is played in the local GPS system?

They have a funny way of showing that they "care" more about league than about rugby.

Get back in your box girlyman....

I did not start this thread, I am just responding to it. Pussycat.

 

[Brutus]

I did not start this thread, I am just responding to it. Pussycat.

Why are you here? Please explain that.

Otherwise take your little running IT company lies elsewhere.

 

[MKEB...]

In nz You very rarely hear the bad stuff about rugby...In general we are a state rugby establishment to the detriment of all other sports, So much so that we cant even see the national basketball team playing against the commonwealth champions untill ridiculous hours. I was a barber and every second conversation was about rugby, one guy asked me who the next all black captain would be, when I replied Stacey Jones he almost lynched me. As soon as league starts making positive headlines here, it is like the media go on a seek and destroy league mission.

A certain prominent Union player was done for spousal abuse, that barely made the headlines...Media establishment just love union.

I think there is a maximum of three genuine league reporters in NZ.

Remeber also, Jonn Fairfax owns the great majority of Newspapers here...

 

[harmichael]

Why are you here? Please explain that.

Otherwise take your little running IT company lies elsewhere.

It's comments like this that make this forum an absolute joke. This is meant to be an open debate, however if anybody does not share the popular opinion, rather then debating the point the thread dissolves into childish name calling.

 

[LESStar58]

Welcome to LU!

Get used to it!

 

[Leagueguy]

I think Woods raises a valid point about the anti Sydney thing from Victorians. Perhaps thats where the desire to criticise league comes from. A lot of the time they cite poor player behaviour, however maybe this isn't actually what they dislike about our code. They just want to bring it down and use this as ammunition.

 

[LESStar58]

Of course they do.

If only they'd give as much exposure to an AFL player who beats up on a woman or one who is caught drink driving or using recreational drugs.

 

[Brutus]

It's comments like this that make this forum an absolute joke. This is meant to be an open debate, however if anybody does not share the popular opinion, rather then debating the point the thread dissolves into childish name calling.

The guy just comes here to berate rugby league. He hates the game with more passion than you could imagine.

Go through his older to posts to see what I mean.

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

Most AFL commentators and journalists are plainly better educated and less abrasive than the average league commentator.

They're buffoons with microphones. And I know that even though I haven't listened or watched an AFL match in a decade.

Plus, they're commentating on a game that is as interesting as spit.

I spent several years based in Melbourne, running an IT services company which employed about 100 Victorians and marketed its products and services to local banking and financial institutions. What do you know about Melbourne?

Thanks for the life story.

You could spend a life-time there and you still wouldn't understand Victorians.

Because you're an idiot.

Oh. So that is why they were so irritated when their bid to host the next Super Rugby franchise lost out to Perth?

Who was irritated?

The people who aren't watching the Union Tests or the people who aren't going to see S14 games in Melbourne?

No one there cares about Union. If anyone gave a stuff there's no way the current Tests would be showing at 10.30 instead of their usual "live" showing.

The current Tests are your premium product and even that is relegated to nuffy time on TV.

That is why they have produced 30 odd Wallabies over the years, including the current coach of the Waratahs?

Yet they don't have a decent Union side there.

Why?

That is why rugby is played in the local GPS system?

Which means nothing.

You don't have a S14 team there, the best club side in Victoria would be beaten by 100 by any Sydney club side, the "one per year" crowd is dwindling and the ratings are abysmal.

Union is nothing to Victorians.

They have a funny way of showing that they "care" more about league than about rugby.

How?

By selling out Telstra-dome or ratings nearly 400k for Origin?

Nope, that was Rugby League.

By averaging 10k for Storm games?

Nope, that was Rugby League.

What does Melbourne's S14 side average?

What were the ratings for Bledisloe?

Which Union Test will sell-out Telstra Dome this year?

I did not start this thread, I am just responding to it. Pussycat.

Hitch up your skirt and piss off back to PR you coward.

 

[Calixte]

Nice try, Woods99.

Enjoy that close union test on Sat. night? :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[eelandia]

Because League from day 1 has been anti-establishment - a noble thing in my eyes and very Australian / egalitarian. It has grown beyond its working class roots to be an all inclusive sport where its fans come from many demographics - something which doesn't sit well with those that are classist or motivated to promote another sport (for whatever financial or other reason nee Patrick Smith).

They see the potential of a real man's game and work on the fact that 'soccer' mums are very influential in choosing a sport for their children, hence relate the game to violence and / or anti-social behaviour whenever possible.

 

[Mr_Ugly]

The general standards and demeanour of AFL commentators and journalists is somewhat higher and less ocker than that of league.

Rex Hunt. Sam Newman. Billy Brownless. These names mean anything to you?