I was interviewed on Melb & Adelaide radio the day after the Storm penalty - I made the point that the Storm had in earlier seasons asked the NRL for concessions etc to ensure their competitiveness in a non-RL region, but it had been rejected each time as the NRL competition was based on equality (for better or worse).
I then said that if the NRL gave advantages to the Storm and Warriors that the AFL gave to its NSW and QLD clubs, there would be marching in streets of Sydney.
I then said I couldn't believe that fans of AFL clubs in Melbourne were so passive in their response to the AFL and its actions which ensured their club was further away from a Grand Final. I couldn't believe there was just silence from the interviewer for a good few seconds....as if they couldn't process the thought.
I've asked AFL fans about it, and most just shrug their shoulders and offer up something about "for the greater good of the game."
That's a very noble sentiment for fans & officials of these Melbourne AFL clubs to hold, but jeez, for all their apparent rabid support of their clubs, and for a code that has at its very core a draft and cap, it's an amazing (lack of) response.
Not arguing with that - but there is incongurity in the fans of Melbourne AFL clubs claiming to be the most passionate in the country (at times the world), yet they passively watch on while their club's chances of winning the premiership are handicapped.
Western Sydney AFL Team - Destined for failure.
A team should be able to support itself on its own merits. If it can't sustain itself in a region, then maybe that team doesn't deserve to be in the NRL competition. I would be one of those people marching in the streets if the Storm and Warriors were given extra advantages to ensure they make the finals most years.
AFL RECORD ON INTERSTATE EXPANSION
success
-Sydney
- Adelade
- Port Adelaide
- Freemenatle
-west coast
- Brisbane
I think their record in states speaks
we should not underestimate rival codes...
rule 1 always respect your enemy
Maybe they are altruistic and love the game more than the club? Or maybe they realise that a strong national comp has massive positive spin offs for their club. or maybe they realise that starting an expansion team in non heartland areas requires support?
AFL RECORD ON INTERSTATE EXPANSION
success
-Sydney
- Adelade
- Port Adelaide
- Freemenatle
-west coast
- Brisbane
I think their record in states speaks
we should not underestimate rival codes...
rule 1 always respect your enemy
While you're clearly pushing an agenda here, I do believe there is way more support for a national game coming from Melbourne AFL fans than there is from Sydney league fans. You only have to see some of the posters on this forum to realise that.
you really are an A+ genius.
Freemenatle?????
I can't even be bothered ripping your pathetic post to shreds, f**king spastic.
i see your rebuttal is swearing and personal insults...
i see leaving school in year 8 did not work for you http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebuttal
i see your rebuttal is swearing and personal insults...
i see leaving school in year 8 did not work for you
some NRL clubs have been living off pokie machines / people losing money on gambling misery to survive
"The quality of your competition, which means fans of every team think they're a chance every weekend, is absolutely paramount.
some NRL clubs have been living off pokie machines / people losing money on gambling misery to survive
http://www.scopical.com.au/articles/...pokie-machines
Highlights of this one:
- Victorian AFL clubs had netted about $110 Million off strategically placed pokie machines across the state
- Monash University reports found that their was massive rorting by clubs, including skipping community obligations for the return of revenue, and the use of "team maintenance" reasons for the extraction of additional revenue through tax exemption schemes.
-Collingwood Football Club topping the list with about $30 Million
Take note AFL: pokies have undone the NRL
The timing of todays story in The Age -- claiming AFL clubs are increasingly relying on gaming machine revenue, and maybe even rorting the community benefit scheme could not come at a more inconvenient time.
AFL RECORD ON INTERSTATE EXPANSION
success
- Port Adelaide