AFL overtaking NRL in QLD

[fake tyrone]

I was surprised by how much AFL I saw being played on tellies in the pubs up in Sydney when I visited in the middle of June this year. I wouldn't say it was everywhere, but just walking around the CBD on a bit of a pub crawl, it was being shown in a fair few venues. My mate who lives up there reckons AFL doesn't get a whole lot of media attention but if you go into the city on gameday when the Swans are playing at home, you see a lot of red and white.

I haven't been to Queensland in years but judging by all the Lions games I watched this year, their home crowds look strong.
I certainly think the AFL is growing in the northern states, but not yet outpacing NRL. I think things might take another 20-30 years before we'll see the true outcome of the AFL's investment in the Suns and Giants.

As an aside, Queensland is actually producing more draftees than ever before, yeah?

 

[glengowan]

As an aside, Queensland is actually producing more draftees than ever before, yeah?

There were around 50 QLDers on AFL lists in 2008. Around 46 in 2013. There's about 30 now.

 

[HavUEvaSeenTheRain]

There were around 50 QLDers on AFL lists in 2008. Around 46 in 2013. There's about 30 now.

I remember the 2006 draft had 11 Queenslanders drafted. Something like 8 in the top 32

 

[Bjo187]

There were around 50 QLDers on AFL lists in 2008. Around 46 in 2013. There's about 30 now.

I think we're at the start of the boom though. With 4 suns in the top 25 last year, the Ashcroft brothers across 3 years being arguably the best players in the country, also Queenslanders.

Then Lombard, uwland and the likes next year, it seems more top quality than quantity that will be coming through in droves over the next few years. A whole bunch of first rounders. Actually nsw is quite similar, I think they only have about 50 players in the afl, but the quality is top notch and could beat s.a and potentially w.a in a state game imo.

The one thing the AFL need to do is get into the private schools in QLD. The women's did just in the past year but there is still a ban on Aussie rules for boys. That would see it boom even more and become the second strongest state at producing talent. Something they seem to be on the way to becoming anyway.

 

[GC2015]

People around here won't accept it, but, ATM, the Titan's ceiling is much higher than the Sun's as well. The Titans, and all historic GC RL sides, are hampered by their own incompetence, but they'd grow comparatively quickly if they ever stopped sucking for an extended period.

Interesting view. I've been living on the GC my whole life for more than 20 years, went to school here etc. I don't really get that impression from my experiences and I've mixed in circles that are both league and/or Aussie rules inclined. One thing I can say with confidence is that there's a good amount of people on the GC who are interested in Aussie rules, but keep quiet about it because they don't want to be judged/criticised. I don't think that's going to change until the Suns start having on field success and the social stigma that comes with following Aussie rules starts to go away.

There's no doubt both GC teams have been hampered by incompetence, but the Titans have had glimpses of success and it hasn't really grown the way that you're suggesting. They played finals in 2021 and averaged 14k to their home games that year. The same can be said about 2016 when they played finals and average 13k to home games that year. These aren't impressive numbers in years that they don't "suck" as you put it.

The Suns sold out 4 of 9 home games on the GC this year and spent most of the year outside the top 8 + didn't qualify for the finals. What's going to happen when the Suns do play finals? We've seen what happens when the Titans play finals, but we don't know what happens when the Suns play finals.

The one thing the AFL need to do is get into the private schools in QLD. The women's did just in the past year but there is still a ban on Aussie rules for boys. That would see it boom even more and become the second strongest state at producing talent. Something they seem to be on the way to becoming anyway.

I think you're referring to the GPS competition (which is mostly Brisbane based), but we're starting to see significant inroads being made in the elite private schools on the Gold Coast. Three of the Suns academy members that took part in the U17s Futures game this year were from All Saints Anglican School, arguably the best private school on the Gold Coast and they compete in the elite APS competition. They've had a bit of success in the past with students like Nick Riewoldt and Kurt Tippett, but this next wave appears to be considerably larger and more impressive.

Uwland, Addinsall and White along with the two Ashcroft boys, who also attended All Saints before they moved to Melbourne, shows an unbelievable amount of footy talent is coming from the one school over a 3-4 year period. Plus, All Saints began competing in the AFLQ state cup this year and went deep into the quarterfinals. Having a school like that onboard is going to pay major dividends and it's exactly why it's important for the Brisbane Lions to continue pushing hard with the GPS schools.

 

[fake tyrone]

I think we're at the start of the boom though. With 4 suns in the top 25 last year, the Ashcroft brothers across 3 years being arguably the best players in the country, also Queenslanders.

Then Lombard, uwland and the likes next year, it seems more top quality than quantity that will be coming through in droves over the next few years. A whole bunch of first rounders. Actually nsw is quite similar, I think they only have about 50 players in the afl, but the quality is top notch and could beat s.a and potentially w.a in a state game imo.

The one thing the AFL need to do is get into the private schools in QLD. The women's did just in the past year but there is still a ban on Aussie rules for boys. That would see it boom even more and become the second strongest state at producing talent. Something they seem to be on the way to becoming anyway.

I'm not well-versed in school footy, but I think with rugby union on the slide, there could be an opportunity for Aussie Rules to take its place. The way things are going, I could see athletes with the right body type picking either Aussie Rules or league to pursue professionally.

 

[RedV3x]

I'm not well-versed in school footy, but I think with rugby union on the slide, there could be an opportunity for Aussie Rules to take its place. The way things are going, I could see athletes with the right body type picking either Aussie Rules or league to pursue professionally.

Whilst there is a lot of crossover with football types at junior levels it's not really a question of finding sufficient players.
it's really a question of finding someone willing to coach in what has been a hostile environment.

 

[Badger17]

Interesting view. I've been living on the GC my whole life for more than 20 years, went to school here etc. I don't really get that impression from my experiences and I've mixed in circles that are both league and/or Aussie rules inclined. One thing I can say with confidence is that there's a good amount of people on the GC who are interested in Aussie rules, but keep quiet about it because they don't want to be judged/criticised. I don't think that's going to change until the Suns start having on field success and the social stigma that comes with following Aussie rules starts to go away.

There's no doubt both GC teams have been hampered by incompetence, but the Titans have had glimpses of success and it hasn't really grown the way that you're suggesting. They played finals in 2021 and averaged 14k to their home games that year. The same can be said about 2016 when they played finals and average 13k to home games that year. These aren't impressive numbers in years that they don't "suck" as you put it.

The Suns sold out 4 of 9 home games on the GC this year and spent most of the year outside the top 8 + didn't qualify for the finals. What's going to happen when the Suns do play finals? We've seen what happens when the Titans play finals, but we don't know what happens when the Suns play finals.

The Titans only just squeaked into the finals in 2016 and 2021. Nobody really expected them to make the finals those years, and they were also-rans despite making them. In other words despite making the finals in 2016 and 2021 they were still crap those years, and it isn't surprising that making the finals wasn't reflected in their crowds.

2009, and particularly 2010, are the only years you could argue that they were genuine contenders, but those were very different times to now, so it's kind of hard to compare.

The Titans aren't the be-all and end-all for RL on the GC either, and there're multiple very, very, healthy support bases for other NRL sides on the GC. So healthy that it hasn't been uncommon for the away contingent to be larger than home support at Robina in the past, and not just when the Broncos are in town either. It's a sore point with Titans supporters, but it's symptomatic of the Titans complete failure to capture the market, but I digress.

Crowds aren't the only measure of popularity either and anchoring the discussion on them is silly, especially when attendance culture has never been taken as seriously in the NRL.

Anyway, I honestly don't care enough to really argue the point, but if, hypothetically, both the Titans and Suns were to win their respective grand finals next year, the Titans winning the NRL GF would be a bigger deal than the Suns winning theirs. That's not to say that couldn't change in the future, but that's where things are at the moment.

 

[RedV3x]

Crowds aren't the only measure of popularity either and anchoring the discussion on them is silly,

Traditionally attendances paid for professional sport.

especially when attendance culture has never been taken as seriously in the NRL.

Rugby league quickly overtook rugby union in Australia because it was professional......relying on attendances!!

Anyway, I honestly don't care enough to really argue the point,

Then stop posting- simple.

but if, hypothetically, both the Titans and Suns were to win their respective grand finals next year, the Titans winning the NRL GF would be a bigger deal than the Suns winning theirs.

NO. the NRL is basically two state based whilst the AFL is Australia-wide so the external effect would be greater for the Suns. They would have "joined the club" so to speak.
Internally I don't know. With the incumbent - it's consolidation. With the newcomer - it's validation.

 

[The Educator]

The Titans aren't the be-all and end-all for RL on the GC either, and there're multiple very, very, healthy support bases for other NRL sides on the GC. So healthy that it hasn't been uncommon for the away contingent to be larger than home support

Aside from the amusing league head from Canberra Gold Coast Splaining the Gold Coast to someone from the Gold Coast, you are aware that this is true of AFL clubs as well? I.e., the significant emigre from Victoria SA and Tassie that are the reason the AFL has such a strong base in the Gold Coast largely still support their own teams

 

[GC2015]

The Titans only just squeaked into the finals in 2016 and 2021. Nobody really expected them to make the finals those years, and they were also-rans despite making them. In other words despite making the finals in 2016 and 2021 they were still crap those years, and it isn't surprising that making the finals wasn't reflected in their crowds.

Did you actually watch the Titans in the 2021 finals series? I did. They only lost to the 5th placed Roosters by 1 point in their elimination final and arguably should've snatched it at the end if Herbert had have offloaded the pass slightly earlier. I completely disagree with you that they were "crap" in a year that they made the finals and only lost that final by 1 point. There is a middle ground between the top 4 and "crap".

2009, and particularly 2010, are the only years you could argue that they were genuine contenders, but those were very different times to now, so it's kind of hard to compare.

Which also happened to be before the Suns existed. I remember their crowds and commnunity engagement were solid back then and I think at least some of that had to do with us (as a city) not having an alternative in those winter months. I regularly went to Titans games back then and I know a lot of others who did too, but since the Suns entered the AFL I've only been to a handful of Titans games and I've noticed the same with others who used to attend Titans games back then. So although I agree that on field results would help, I don't think it'll ever be what it used to be back in the pre-Suns era. Particularly if the Suns start having on field results as well.

The Titans aren't the be-all and end-all for RL on the GC either, and there're multiple very, very, healthy support bases for other NRL sides on the GC. So healthy that it hasn't been uncommon for the away contingent to be larger than home support at Robina in the past, and not just when the Broncos are in town either. It's a sore point with Titans supporters, but it's symptomatic of the Titans complete failure to capture the market, but I digress.

As is the case on the Gold Coast with certain AFL teams. There's a reason why the Collingwood game against the Suns pulls a big crowd/sells out every year. It's because there's a lot of Collingwood fans in south east Queensland. The same thing happens when Collingwood play the Lions at the Gabba because they have lots of supporters in south east Queensland. Carlton, Essendon and Richmond also have fairly large supporter bases in south east Queensland.

Rugby league is not unique in that sense and, from my experiences, the people who live up here and support a Victorian team tend to be more open to supporting the local AFL team when it's not against their own team. For example, I sit next to a bloke who is a Suns season ticket holder who openly admits his number 1 team is Essendon, but he shows up in the Suns colours and cheers them on at every home game that's not against Essendon. Conversely, I know two blokes who have lived on the GC their whole lives and are Cronulla/Parramatta fans who refuse to ever go to a Titans game unless it's against their team. Overall, I would say league fans on the Gold Coast are far less willing to 'support the game' than Aussie rules fans on the Gold Coast.

Crowds aren't the only measure of popularity either and anchoring the discussion on them is silly, especially when attendance culture has never been taken as seriously in the NRL.

Yet the Broncos have a long history of pulling impressive crowds. Why are you comparing the Titans to what happens in Sydney when a team one hour up the road is able to pull good crowds on a regular basis? Even the Dolphins pull solid crowds.

Anyway, I honestly don't care enough to really argue the point, but if, hypothetically, both the Titans and Suns were to win their respective grand finals next year, the Titans winning the NRL GF would be a bigger deal than the Suns winning theirs. That's not to say that couldn't change in the future, but that's where things are at the moment.

Maybe so. I certainly got that impression last year when the Broncos and Lions were sharing Grand Final week coverage and the media mostly focused on the Broncos. I'm not sure if it'll be that extreme if it ever happened on the Gold Coast, but I would agree that the Titans are likely to receive slightly more local coverage if that hypothetical were to play out. In terms of national coverage, you could argue either way because the Grand Final coverage that is produced for the AFL is mammoth.

 

[MrSlippyFist]

Damn that's a funny thread title.

Will never happen. Rugby League will always be the most dominant sport in QLD and NSW.

NRL will never overtake AFL in Melbourne but it doesn't need to. Storm are bringing in record crowds and support will continue to grow. Plenty of people who will find the Storm more welcoming than the Melbourne Private School Football League.

 

[RedV3x]

Will never happen.

People said there would never be an AFL side in Sydney - now there are two.
People said there would never be an AFL side in Queensland - now there are two.

Yes, this is a bit of a troll title, but"never" is a very long time and the gap is closer than most people think.
IMO, the future for Brisbane Lions is very good and if the Suns can become a force that would be great
irrespective of what any other code is doing (or not doing).

 

[Bjo187]

People said there would never be an AFL side in Sydney - now there are two.
People said there would never be an AFL side in Queensland - now there are two.


Yes, this is a bit of a troll title, but"never" is a very long time and the gap is closer than most people think.
IMO, the future for Brisbane Lions is very good and if the Suns can become a force that would be great
irrespective of what any other code is doing (or not doing).

One thing the title does do, it brings out every rugby league troll on Bigfooty to expose themselves all in the one thread, coz they can't help themselves getting all wound up about it lol.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Interesting view. I've been living on the GC my whole life for more than 20 years, went to school here etc. I don't really get that impression from my experiences and I've mixed in circles that are both league and/or Aussie rules inclined. One thing I can say with confidence is that there's a good amount of people on the GC who are interested in Aussie rules, but keep quiet about it because they don't want to be judged/criticised. I don't think that's going to change until the Suns start having on field success and the social stigma that comes with following Aussie rules starts to go away.

It sounds like there's a fair difference in attitude regarding sports between Melbourne and Queensland.

I curious why there is a social stigma for following a sport (AFL)? In Melbourne nobody thinks any less of someone following Rugby (or basketball, soccer etc for that matter).

 

[RedV3x]

It sounds like there's a fair difference in attitude regarding sports between Melbourne and Queensland.

More accurately between rl heartland and the rest of Australia.

I curious why there is a social stigma for following a sport (AFL)?

The historical competition between Sydney and Melbourne permeated Sydney sports thinking.
Remember, the waste of Canberra was created because Sydney wanted federal parliament moved out of Melbourne.
This historical competition turned to jealousy of Australian Football's success.
This jealousy permeated the Sydney media creating a vicious circle.

I have had many experiences where leaguies have used the word "hate" w.r.t. to AFL.
So in a social situation AFL fans usually keep "mum" to avoid unpleasantness.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that this phenomenon is decreasing.

 

[werdna78]

Their membership has doubled or more since then. It´s like 56,000 now

50,000 stadium means more ticketed members and more general public and casual fans etc attending.

Going by what I´ve seen in the media the Lions and AFL in general is as big as it´s ever been in QLD.

37 doesnt cut it anymore and 40 whats the point

Let´s say 45/50k

Should be 60000, the stadium will get used for test cricket and getting major concerts as well.

 

[Macca180]

One thing I can say with confidence is that there's a good amount of people on the GC who are interested in Aussie rules, but keep quiet about it because they don't want to be judged/criticised.

This is lol pathetic.. This literally would only happen in NSW and QLD with RL fans who get so upset about AFL...lol.

Imagine being judged or criticized in Australia for liking Australia's game. I would love it though. Never take my Gurnsey off everywhere I went.

No other states do this.

 

[William Lamb]

I can't speak for QLD but the attitude of Sydneysiders to Melbourne is weird. In general, they view Melbourne as quaint and are generally apathetic towards Melbourne.

But you mention AFL and it's genuine vitriol. Other posters aren't kidding when they say Sydney hates, because that's the word Sydneysiders use themselves, they hate the AFL. It's the same sort of beligerence they display towards Melbourne Storm. Anybody but the Storm for the NRL premiers they say, even though any neutral in AFL land would go for the underdogs against the reigning three time premiers.

But even then, the fastest growing sport among girls and women in Sydney is AFL. So maybe in the long term, women playing AFL will convert their sons and nephews to the sport. I expect that effect to happen even quicker in QLD with the amount of Victorians moving there.

 

[GC2015]

It sounds like there's a fair difference in attitude regarding sports between Melbourne and Queensland.

I'm curious why there is a social stigma for following a sport (AFL)? In Melbourne nobody thinks any less of someone following Rugby (or basketball, soccer etc for that matter).

No doubt there's a big difference between Melbourne and Queensland. It's probably just something that's carried on from the colonial days when Queensland chose to adopt the same main sport as NSW and in doing so also adopted their hatred towards Victorian sport. It'd be nice to get to a point one day in Queensland where you can follow any sport you want and not be judged/criticised for it, but that's not the case at the moment. It is improving though and I would also add that it's less intense on the Gold Coast than it is in the more hardcore rugby league cities like Brisbane, Rockhampton or Townsville.

This is pathetic lol.. This literally would only happen in NSW and QLD with RL fans who get so upset about AFL...lol.

Imagine being judged or criticized in Australia for liking Australia's game. I would love it though. Never take my Gurnsey off everywhere I went.

No other states do this.

Peer pressure is a very real thing and it probably prevents a lot of Queensland juniors from trying/pursuing Aussie rules. They don't want to be labelled the kid that plays 'gAyFL' by their schoolmates. It's pretty ridiculous, but it's the truth. I knew a kid at my school who went the whole way through from U8s to U18s and never once let anyone know he played Aussie rules. It was only after graduation that people found out. Overcoming this social stigma is probably the main thing holding back Aussie rules in Queensland. It's not as bad on the Gold Coast or in Cairns, but people from other parts of Queensland are pretty ruthless when they find out you play/follow 'aerial ping pong'.

I know people from the southern states don't tend to take much notice when players like Isaac Heeney or Callum Mills say that they would have pursued the rugby codes if it hadn't been for the Swans academy, but I can confidently say that they are 100% telling the truth. Heeney was the only kid at his school who played Aussie rules and it would have been a similar situation for Mills with all their mates playing the rugby codes instead and constantly telling them to quit 'gAyFL' and play the sport that's more popular in NSW. It's a wonder that they actually stuck it out and I can only imagine how many potential stars have been lost just purely because of the social pressure that comes with playing Aussie rules in NSW or QLD. One of the NRL's best players in Tom Trbojevic would be a good example of that when he quit the Swans academy at the age of 17 in favour of pursuring rugby league, despite being a standout and likely AFL draftee at the time.

 

[Angus Young]

No doubt there's a big difference between Melbourne and Queensland. It's probably just something that's carried on from the colonial days when Queensland chose to adopt the same main sport as NSW and in doing so also adopted their hatred towards Victorian sport. It'd be nice to get to a point one day in Queensland where you can follow any sport you want and not be judged/criticised for it, but that's not the case at the moment. It is improving though and I would also add that it's less intense on the Gold Coast than it is in the more hardcore rugby league cities like Brisbane, Rockhampton or Townsville.


Peer pressure is a very real thing and it probably prevents a lot of Queensland juniors from trying/pursuing Aussie rules. They don't want to be labelled the kid that plays 'gAyFL' by their schoolmates. It's pretty ridiculous, but it's the truth. I knew a kid at my school who went the whole way through from U8s to U18s and never once let anyone know he played Aussie rules. It was only after graduation that people found out. Overcoming this social stigma is probably the main thing holding back Aussie rules in Queensland. It's not as bad on the Gold Coast or in Cairns, but people from other parts of Queensland are pretty ruthless when they find out you play/follow 'aerial ping pong'.

I know people from the southern states don't tend to take much notice when players like Isaac Heeney or Callum Mills say that they would have pursued the rugby codes if it hadn't been for the Swans academy, but I can confidently say that they are 100% telling the truth. Heeney was the only kid at his school who played Aussie rules and it would have been a similar situation for Mills with all their mates playing the rugby codes instead and constantly telling them to quit 'gAyFL' and play the sport that's more popular in NSW. It's a wonder that they actually stuck it out and I can only imagine how many potential stars have been lost just purely because of the social pressure that comes with playing Aussie rules in NSW or QLD. One of the NRL's best players in Tom Trbojevic would be a good example of that when he quit the Swans academy at the age of 17 in favour of pursuring rugby league, despite being a standout and likely AFL draftee at the time.

lol. ****wits and there are people that actually think AFL people are like this and have this attitude because thats how they think. simple bogans. Absolute gronks.

Need good male role model teachers up there to help change the culture and thinking.

 

[MrSlippyFist]

People said there would never be an AFL side in Sydney - now there are two.
People said there would never be an AFL side in Queensland - now there are two.

Yes, this is a bit of a troll title, but"never" is a very long time and the gap is closer than most people think.
IMO, the future for Brisbane Lions is very good and if the Suns can become a force that would be great
irrespective of what any other code is doing (or not doing).

You have raised a good point - but there is a monumental difference between establishing clubs in hostile territories, and having a sport completely overtake another in popularity and relevance.

 

[qlderlions]

No doubt there's a big difference between Melbourne and Queensland. It's probably just something that's carried on from the colonial days when Queensland chose to adopt the same main sport as NSW and in doing so also adopted their hatred towards Victorian sport. It'd be nice to get to a point one day in Queensland where you can follow any sport you want and not be judged/criticised for it, but that's not the case at the moment. It is improving though and I would also add that it's less intense on the Gold Coast than it is in the more hardcore rugby league cities like Brisbane, Rockhampton or Townsville.


Peer pressure is a very real thing and it probably prevents a lot of Queensland juniors from trying/pursuing Aussie rules. They don't want to be labelled the kid that plays 'gAyFL' by their schoolmates. It's pretty ridiculous, but it's the truth. I knew a kid at my school who went the whole way through from U8s to U18s and never once let anyone know he played Aussie rules. It was only after graduation that people found out. Overcoming this social stigma is probably the main thing holding back Aussie rules in Queensland. It's not as bad on the Gold Coast or in Cairns, but people from other parts of Queensland are pretty ruthless when they find out you play/follow 'aerial ping pong'.

I know people from the southern states don't tend to take much notice when players like Isaac Heeney or Callum Mills say that they would have pursued the rugby codes if it hadn't been for the Swans academy, but I can confidently say that they are 100% telling the truth. Heeney was the only kid at his school who played Aussie rules and it would have been a similar situation for Mills with all their mates playing the rugby codes instead and constantly telling them to quit 'gAyFL' and play the sport that's more popular in NSW. It's a wonder that they actually stuck it out and I can only imagine how many potential stars have been lost just purely because of the social pressure that comes with playing Aussie rules in NSW or QLD. One of the NRL's best players in Tom Trbojevic would be a good example of that when he quit the Swans academy at the age of 17 in favour of pursuring rugby league, despite being a standout and likely AFL draftee at the time.

As someone that has grown up in Queensland, spent 11 years away in WA and VIC I can emphasize enough how much the GA** AFL attitude is changing. It was really big when I was young in 80s/90s, started receding in the early 2000s, by the time I got back to Brisbane in 2011 it was different. The early 2010s were impacted by the performance of the lions but I think the supporters are far more rusted on these days than back in the early 2000s. I only got exposed to the sport in the mid 90s via my best mate's dad being a Geelong supporter and took us along to a couple of games at the Gabba. I wear my lions gear and/or hat around Brisbane and I usually get nothing but positive comments on the Lions. Especially this last six months where every person contrasts the Lions with the train wreck that has been the Broncos. I travel around QLD extensively for work, my experience is that anti AFL attitude exists west of Ipswich/Downs (and old part of Ipswich, new suburbs very receptive to AFL), Rocky, Townsville and Central Highlands, Logan/Caboolture. In Cairns, Gold Coast, SE Brisbane AFL is already bigger.

 

[pOleK]

No doubt there's a big difference between Melbourne and Queensland. It's probably just something that's carried on from the colonial days when Queensland chose to adopt the same main sport as NSW and in doing so also adopted their hatred towards Victorian sport. It'd be nice to get to a point one day in Queensland where you can follow any sport you want and not be judged/criticised for it, but that's not the case at the moment. It is improving though and I would also add that it's less intense on the Gold Coast than it is in the more hardcore rugby league cities like Brisbane, Rockhampton or Townsville.


Peer pressure is a very real thing and it probably prevents a lot of Queensland juniors from trying/pursuing Aussie rules. They don't want to be labelled the kid that plays 'gAyFL' by their schoolmates. It's pretty ridiculous, but it's the truth.

I can second this. Grew up in Roma/Toowoomba with the old man being an old Roy boy from Tassie. Naturally was brought up watching AFL but couldn’t play it til my later teen years in Tooowoomba. Copped a fair bit of gAyFL and the like whenever I donned a bit of Lions merch so naturally kept it to myself to avoid the dickheads who get so worked up and defensive when people follow the “Victorian Game”. Surprise surprise, QLD love a winner and suddenly I get a few league mates who’ve never watched a minute of AFL prior to the previous 2 grand finals saying “Y’know what, AFL is pretty fun to watch” and want to tag along with me to the Gabba next year for a few games.

Sounds simple but sustained success is the only way to do it

 

[RedV3x]

You have raised a good point - but there is a monumental difference between establishing clubs in hostile territories, and having a sport completely overtake another in popularity and relevance.

Yes and luckily for the AFL those AFL clubs have grown so strongly with attendamces and participation that Queensland must be considered a "melting" pot of sports if anything.