AFL overtaking NRL in QLD

[Aucklander]

hmm I havent seen these, so im not sure whose made those calls. Sorry

All he’s guilty of is replying to a post. The fact he’s been targeted is only because he likes Rugby league. The OP has never been questioned.

I'm sure he did however expect you to come in and fly the NRL flag on his behalf.

You two have been bullying him despite his love of Australian football. Makes no sense.

 

[Bjo187]

lol. Western Sydney?

That’s interesting.
You don’t know a lot about geography, do you. I’ve never lived in Sydney. You let me know when the postcodes west of the Blue Mountains that are all 3 hours away become part of Sydney, and we’ll both be in a better place to discuss my living arrangements from a point of mutual understanding.


I never criticise the giants. As I said, they’re more or less my second team. If you want to find this criticism, by all means let’s see it. They gave us our current best player, they have two of my current favourite non-Cats players, provided half of my favourite match not involving the cats of the last decade, albeit with the wrong result. The only thing they’ve really done wrong by me is not show up for the 2019 grand final. You really are reaching the bottom of the barrel here aren’t you?

Are you seriously that bothered by all this that you want to interrogate me as to why I don’t post in league unlimited

Because I don’t want to. Are you going to report me for not posting there?

Why would I be worried about my buddies? What are they going to do if they find out - again, having known me most of my adult life - that I follow AFL?
‘Oh wait, that’s right, you follow AFL, like we all kind of do as well because we latch onto the Swans a little bit, and because we’ve known you for 19 years and we all watch sport together and have all been to each others weddings, 30ths, bucks parties, engagement parties, etc etc. we forgot for a few hours.’

Well you were speaking like the Oracle on all things western sydney football years ago, including grassroots and jumped off the giants coz they were not following through on their promise of growing the game in western sydney. So yes you have criticised them extensively in years past, I didn't think you would be doing that from some chalet in the blue mountains, particularly after claiming to be an expert on the local w.s area.

You had so many criticisms of afl in w.s/giants I asked that you email the club or afl about them, coz they're very receptive and you'd already written it all out. Help fix the problems, instead of adding to the pile on. I'm sure you didn't though and prefer to stick the boots in online.

All he’s guilty of is replying to a post. The fact he’s been targeted is only because he likes Rugby league. The OP has never been questioned.



You two have been bullying him despite his love of Australian football. Makes no sense.

Overall I couldn't care less if you guys follow rugby league, I know phatboy works/ed for the nswrl and you post 90 percent in and are the mod for the nrl forum here, I have no issue with it.

What's annoying is now coming into what was a good thread about the growth of Queensland footy (maybe triggered by the title) and all you and your mate post about is rugby league, with zero interest in footy's growth in qld. Just one post about footy in Queensland or even a like on a post about the success of footy in Queensland would help you both look impartial, but there hasn't been any in this thread in 4 years.

Maybe ask the mods to change the title if it triggers you and the other leagiues on here. If you go back and read the history it was a great thread for footy fans about 'footy in Queensland's growth' until all the r.l floaters started popping up. Significantly more post the lions premiership success funnily enough.

 

[Aucklander]

Overall I couldn't care less if you guys follow rugby league,

Of course you do. It strikes to the very heart of your issue as we see in all your posts.

I genuinely hope the game continues to grow in QLD and NSW and will continue to support it.

 

[PhatBoy]

Well you were speaking like the Oracle on all things western sydney football years ago, including grassroots and jumped off the giants coz they were not following through on their promise of growing the game in western sydney. So yes you have criticised them extensively in years past, I didn't think you would be doing that from some chalet in the blue mountains, particularly after claiming to be an expert on the local w.s area.

You had so many criticisms of afl in w.s/giants I asked that you email the club or afl about them, coz they're very receptive and you'd already written it all out. Help fix the problems, instead of adding to the pile on. I'm sure you didn't though and prefer to stick the boots in online.



Overall I couldn't care less if you guys follow rugby league, I know phatboy works/ed for the nswrl and you post 90 percent in and are the mod for the nrl forum here, I have no issue with it.

What's annoying is now coming into what was a good thread about the growth of Queensland footy (maybe triggered by the title) and all you and your mate post about is rugby league, with zero interest in footy's growth in qld. Just one post about footy in Queensland or even a like on a post about the success of footy in Queensland would help you both look impartial, but there hasn't been any in this thread in 4 years.

Maybe ask the mods to change the title if it triggers you and the other leagiues on here. If you go back and read the history it was a great thread for footy fans about 'footy in Queensland's growth' until all the r.l floaters started popping up. Significantly more post the lions premiership success funnily enough.

yeah the part where I said ‘since the establishment of the GWS side, a second AFL club has been established here in my town, firstly as a junior club and now with senior men’s and women’s teams which has equal participation to the original AFL club in town’ was definitely a pretty league centric comment. It looks like you paid close attention to that bit.

I do know a lot about western Sydney.

My ex-wife’s entire extended family lived in the area around Liverpool, Mt Druitt, Fairfield.

My current partner is from Penrith. I have spent a hell of a lot of time there. But no I don’t live there, I live in the country.

And in previous periods no I don’t think the Giants probably did do an especially great job promoting their brand in particular early on - maybe their work promoting the development of the game itself was unseen I don’t know but they didn’t have a presence as a club.

Yes, I am employed on a small scale by the CRL, an arm of the NSWRL. I write match reports for various smaller competitions that get sent around the clubs themselves and they can do what they want with them, put them on their websites or social media or whatever m. It’s very minor. Previously I actually worked covering all sports including the one you think I have some sort of aversion to and covered numerous local AFL grand finals etc and still have a particularly close relationship with one of the local clubs courtesy of a group of mates that play there.


Having a standpoint where I would like to see a sport thrive ‘up to a point’ in particular areas in the interest of preserving another sport that I like doesn’t mean I like one thing more than another or that I’m a plant from another sport or that I’m taking the piss or that I’m triggered or whatever other made up internet buzzword that modern people with no capacity to use the dictionary full of words we already had, want to label me.

Same as I wouldn’t want rugby league to ‘take over’ AFL in the southern states, much as it’s no risk of ever happening. I’d be happy to see it get a following but I would never want it to surpass what is there because it would mean the other code I love would have a serious problem on its hands.


PS. I’m obviously still alive despite wearing my Cats hoodie in not one but TWO NSW regional cities today. Had some hairy moments and one guy tried to knife me until I said that AFL stood for ‘Australian Federal-Rugby-League League’ but other than that I got through it

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Well you were speaking like the Oracle on all things western sydney football years ago, including grassroots and jumped off the giants coz they were not following through on their promise of growing the game in western sydney. So yes you have criticised them extensively in years past, I didn't think you would be doing that from some chalet in the blue mountains, particularly after claiming to be an expert on the local w.s area.

You had so many criticisms of afl in w.s/giants I asked that you email the club or afl about them, coz they're very receptive and you'd already written it all out. Help fix the problems, instead of adding to the pile on. I'm sure you didn't though and prefer to stick the boots in online.

I think it's fine to have varying support for the local team (with no history to develop rivalries with the existing team thereof), support the main team consistently, and also be an observe of how that GWS team relates to the geographic area it's meant to represent.

I have friends who live in Geelong, take an interest to the team's relationship to the city and region, and even vaguely support them in some concept, because they have a partner and friends who support them too, and he wants to see them happy. They don't support Geelong and their support of Geelong rises and falls depending on if players/rivalries with his own team/attitude of the club varies too. they maintain a consistent academic interest in the club's and the city's relationship as that's their place of residence. I don't see that being that unusual.

What's annoying is now coming into what was a good thread about the growth of Queensland footy (maybe triggered by the title) and all you and your mate post about is rugby league, with zero interest in footy's growth in qld. Just one post about footy in Queensland or even a like on a post about the success of footy in Queensland would help you both look impartial, but there hasn't been any in this thread in 4 years.

Maybe ask the mods to change the title if it triggers you and the other leagiues on here. If you go back and read the history it was a great thread for footy fans about 'footy in Queensland's growth' until all the r.l floaters started popping up. Significantly more post the lions premiership success funnily enough.

This thread has taken some weird and wonderful turns over 77 pages with no issues. At least RL in NSW is somewhat related to the title.

The framing of it being a contest or a battle between the two sports is a bit strange anyway. If AFL ever becomes bigger than RL is of academic interest but I would much rather see a big AFL that's still not as big as a big NRL than see a small AFL be bigger than an even smaller NRL.

 

[010203]

This thread doesn't take the turn it did if yours truly who likes both rugby codes and AFL didn't make a comment about how unhinged a number of people on League Unlimited can be when it comes to other footy codes.

 

[Philhawk]

Well you were speaking like the Oracle on all things western sydney football years ago, including grassroots and jumped off the giants coz they were not following through on their promise of growing the game in western sydney. So yes you have criticised them extensively in years past, I didn't think you would be doing that from some chalet in the blue mountains, particularly after claiming to be an expert on the local w.s area.

You had so many criticisms of afl in w.s/giants I asked that you email the club or afl about them, coz they're very receptive and you'd already written it all out. Help fix the problems, instead of adding to the pile on. I'm sure you didn't though and prefer to stick the boots in online.



Overall I couldn't care less if you guys follow rugby league, I know phatboy works/ed for the nswrl and you post 90 percent in and are the mod for the nrl forum here, I have no issue with it.

What's annoying is now coming into what was a good thread about the growth of Queensland footy (maybe triggered by the title) and all you and your mate post about is rugby league, with zero interest in footy's growth in qld. Just one post about footy in Queensland or even a like on a post about the success of footy in Queensland would help you both look impartial, but there hasn't been any in this thread in 4 years.

Maybe ask the mods to change the title if it triggers you and the other leagiues on here. If you go back and read the history it was a great thread for footy fans about 'footy in Queensland's growth' until all the r.l floaters started popping up. Significantly more post the lions premiership success funnily enough.

Look in a mirror. There’s only one bloke triggered in this thread.

 

[RedV3x]

All he’s guilty of is replying to a post.

i dispute that, but regardless, it's off topic and clogging the thread.

The fact he’s been targeted is only because he likes Rugby league.

No, i targetted him because he was sprouting all this non sensical off-topic stuff.
I'm amazed that you've let things continue so long.

You two have been bullying him despite his love of Australian football. Makes no sense.

Are you really that naive ?

 

[Aucklander]

You seriously think most rusted on league fans think that’s because the Storm are from Melbourne?

1. The Salary Cap scandal. When you systematically cheat, and it is proven, and you stand in front of the rest of the football world and try to say ‘we don’t think we’ve done anything wrong’ people don’t like it. You’ll find a lot of people didn’t like it when it happened but actually liked a lot of things about the Storm before that. I personally loved watching them as a footy side. But on the back of what had already happened at the Dogs, it pissed people off. You will also find that the Dogs were despised in the same era, and copped the ‘rapists’ tag for a long time afterwards and were hated by anyone that wasn’t a dogs fan.

2. They have, and seemingly always will, under Bellamy, pioneered any means possible of exploiting rules on the field. Chicken wing tackles, grapple tackles etc. They started getting wrestling into the mainstream of the sport and were among the first to bring wrestling coaches into their staff in 2003. Many, many fans hate this and I’m one of them. I don’t care about the game being fast or slow or whatever but I hate it being ‘ugly.’ Players piling in and twisting ball carriers to try and deliberately put them in awkward positions and make it harder for them to play the ball while your teammates get onside. I was brought up watching a game where you slowed the opposition down by putting them on their backside with classic tackling technique. There are a huge percentage of fans who dislike them for these wrestling moves coming into the game.

3. Their central figures in their history have often been hard to like. Cameron Smith is an off field cleanskin but he was very very good at pushing the limits on the field and people don’t miss that stuff. Billy Slater was the same. It was part of what made them incredible players but it didn’t enhance their likability. Ironically some of the players they’ve had since who maybe haven’t been as clean off the field like Munster and Brandon Smith, have been a bit more likable.

People hate the Broncos. It’s not to do with geography it’s to do with things like money, success, and the feeling that there is a willingness for the NRL to favour rich teams over poor teams.

I would argue that the Roosters get as much hate as just about anyone.

Manly still get the ‘anyone but manly’ treatment a lot of the time.

When Melbourne won the comp over St George in 1999, no one batted an eyelid in anger with any sort of ‘oh no not the Victorians.’

It was fantastic.

But a lot has happened since and it’s not related to where Melbourne are from

PhatBoy and his reply to Mr. Lamb which set off one poster in particular, while the other simply jumped on board.

A simple nod of the head and on we go.

 

[Bjo187]

Of course you do. It strikes to the very heart of your issue as we see in all your posts.

I genuinely hope the game continues to grow in QLD and NSW and will continue to support it.

I don't care, I only care that it clogs up footy chats when blokes like yourself pop up every time the nrl is mentioned on the afl board, to fly the nrl defence flag. I've seen you doing it for years on here, it's practically the only time you post in here, it's like red rag to a bull for you. Even your posting history is accusing people in the nrl forum of having anti nrl agendas lol.

I know most of the defenders are footy fans too, from varying degrees, some sit closer to 50.50, others are about 10.90 and their main purpose is as a watchdog on here to any discussion of afl advancement into 'nrl heartland'. I know who they all are from being on here for years and this thread really draws them out like moths to a flame.

The framing of it being a contest or a battle between the two sports is a bit strange anyway.

I agree, it's why I asked for a title change to get rid of all the trolls, but if you go read the first page of this thread, it actually started as a question as to what would it take for the afl to ever overtake nrl in QLD. Then it had some great chats about growth in qld, then when the insecurities kicked in for the lurkers post a great year for the afl in qld, it disintegrated into chats about how great and powerful the nrl is, history lessons on the sport, how massive the storm are in Melbourne coz they sold out one prelim final etc, particularly from Sydney not qld based posters. I know expecting that people that post here actually care about and want afl growth in qld and don't clog up the thread is a big ask, it's only an afl forum in a thread about afl growth in qld after all .

If AFL ever becomes bigger than RL is of academic interest but I would much rather see a big AFL that's still not as big as a big NRL than see a small AFL be bigger than an even smaller NRL.

Having a standpoint where I would like to see a sport thrive ‘up to a point’ in particular areas in the interest of preserving another sport that I like doesn’t mean I like one thing more than another.

Same as I wouldn’t want rugby league to ‘take over’ AFL in the southern states, much as it’s no risk of ever happening. I’d be happy to see it get a following but I would never want it to surpass what is there because it would mean the other code I love would have a serious problem on its hands.

Well this is the exact point I'm making though isn't it? and obvious in the dual (or mostly r.l) fans posts, that they want a continuation of the norm, so footy growing in QLD to a point of one day overtaking the nrl isn't something they want and their posting reflects that. If I actually believed the lurkers wanted footy to boom in qld I wouldn't have an issue, but they aren't here for that, they're here for the defence, which on a forum for afl fans, it's pretty annoying and should be reigned in. Particularly when there's an nrl forum here and over at league unlimited where they can discuss possible rearguard actions to the growth of afl in qld all they want.

Anyway let's get back to chatting about AFL growth in Queensland hey?

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I don't care, I only care that it clogs up footy chats when blokes like yourself pop up every time the nrl is mentioned on the afl board, to fly the nrl defence flag. I've seen you doing it for years on here, it's practically the only time you post in here, it's like red rag to a bull for you. Even your posting history is accusing people in the nrl forum of having anti nrl agendas lol.

I know most of the defenders are footy fans too, from varying degrees, some sit closer to 50.50, others are about 10.90 and their main purpose is as a watchdog on here to any discussion of afl advancement into 'nrl heartland'. I know who they all are from being on here for years and this thread really draws them out like moths to a flame.


I agree, it's why I asked for a title change to get rid of all the trolls, but if you go read the first page of this thread, it actually started as a question as to what would it take for the afl to ever overtake nrl in QLD. Then it had some great chats about growth in qld, then when the insecurities kicked in for the lurkers post a great year for the afl in qld, it disintegrated into chats about how great and powerful the nrl is, history lessons on the sport, how massive the storm are in Melbourne coz they sold out one prelim final etc, particularly from Sydney not qld based posters. I know expecting that people that post here actually care about and want afl growth in qld and don't clog up the thread is a big ask, it's only an afl forum in a thread about afl growth in qld after all .





Well this is the exact point I'm making though isn't it? and obvious in the dual (or mostly r.l) fans posts, that they want a continuation of the norm, so footy growing in QLD to a point of one day overtaking the nrl isn't something they want and their posting reflects that. If I actually believed the lurkers wanted footy to boom in qld I wouldn't have an issue, but they aren't here for that, they're here for the defence, which on a forum for afl fans, it's pretty annoying and should be reigned in. Particularly when there's an nrl forum here and over at league unlimited where they can discuss possible rearguard actions to the growth of afl in qld all they want.

Anyway let's get back to chatting about AFL growth in Queensland hey?

It's an online forum. We're not curing cancer. Chill out.

 

[RedV3x]

Anyway let's get back to chatting about AFL growth in Queensland hey?

The main topic w.r.t. AFL in Brisbane a.t.m. is stadiums.
Stadiums have always been political footballs but also the games themselves.
It's a pity we don't have Australian politicians proud to promote the indigenous game
and promote a point of difference and to promote another facet of tourism.
I'm talking about AFL as a demonstration sport - how good would it be for Australia's identity.

Aussie Rules Football at the Commonwealth Games | Commonwealth Games Australia

Did you know Richmond has played at the Gabba in October almost 40 years ago?

commonwealthgames.com.au

 

[The_Wookie]

Well this is the exact point I'm making though isn't it? and obvious in the dual (or mostly r.l) fans posts, that they want a continuation of the norm, so footy growing in QLD to a point of one day overtaking the nrl isn't something they want and their posting reflects that. If I actually believed the lurkers wanted footy to boom in qld I wouldn't have an issue, but they aren't here for that, they're here for the defence, which on a forum for afl fans, it's pretty annoying and should be reigned in. Particularly when there's an nrl forum here and over at league unlimited where they can discuss possible rearguard actions to the growth of afl in qld all they want.

Anyway let's get back to chatting about AFL growth in Queensland hey?

Cant very well talk about the AFL overtaking the NRL without talking about the NRL. Forum isnt exclusive to AFL fans either.

There are specific threads for AFL growth in Queensland, and other specific threads exist for AFL development in these areas

Play Nice - AFL Growth in Queensland

2021 Membership Brisbane Lions 40,289 (record) Gold Coast Suns 19,460 (record) AFL members 59,749 2021 Attendance Brisbane Lions Total - 226631 Games 11 Ave - 20603 Gold Coast Total - 75934 Games 9 Ave - 8437 Total AFL attendance 302,565 @ 15,128 Excludes Finals 2021 FTA Television...

www.bigfooty.com

Footy Developments in NSW and Queensland

Discuss please

www.bigfooty.com

 

[GC2015]

On topic. ARLC Chairman Peter V'Landys hinted that a fifth Queensland team could be on the cards if negotiations surrounding a WA team continue to falter.

Speaking to News Corp, V’Landys revealed “another Queensland team is something we have never ruled out so, yes, that’s still a possibility.”

...

V’Landys noted the strength of the Dolphins bid was underpinned by their ability to bring a new fan base to the sport.

“They have done that,” he said.

Any additional Queensland sides would need to meet similar requirements without “stealing” fans from existing clubs in the state.

Then there's these recent comments from the QRL Chairman Bruce Hatcher:

If negotiations with the Perth consortium departing QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher believes the NRL should expand into Brisbane’s western corridor in order to stave off the AFL’s rising popularity in the region.

“It’s a no-brainer to have the next team in Queensland,” he said.

Speaking about Brisbane’s western corridor, he noted it’s one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, hence why the AFL has set up camp there.

...

So an NRL team in Ipswich appears to be the preference for the QRL and specifically because of the rising popularity of AFL in Queensland. Now that the Lions have broken through for a premiership, they must be taking them more seriously.

 

[Bjo187]

On topic. ARLC Chairman Peter V'Landys hinted that a fifth Queensland team could be on the cards if negotiations surrounding a WA team continue to falter.


Then there's these recent comments from the QRL Chairman Bruce Hatcher:


So an NRL team in Ipswich appears to be the preference for the QRL and specifically because of the rising popularity of AFL in Queensland. Now that the Lions have broken through for a premiership, they must be taking them more seriously.

V'landy's told Tony Sheppard years ago the main reason they rushed the dolphins in was due to the afl growth post the covid season in QLD.

On Ipswich jets, yes that's definitely on the cards, if at least as a negotiating pawn to influence the other bids. It's why Albanese and the qld government are helping fund a $40 million training centre there, as mentioned above. But of course, no collaboration there lol, it was obvious as soon as that upgrade was announced that this play was going to be made.

Interesting Tony Cochrane mentioned on radio a few weeks ago that the western corridor is already gone for the nrl, so they shouldn't bother. I found that interesting, Tony does make big statements though.

My leaguie mate in qld lives out that way, is always annoyed the nrl didn't get into Springfield like the lions did and said there are heaps of polynesian's out that way that could be serviced.

It's also interesting the nrl would then have 5 teams in qld, yet the afl only have two in their second biggest market w.a.

 

[GC2015]

V'landy's told Tony Sheppard years ago the main reason they rushed the dolphins in was due to the afl growth post the covid season in QLD.

On Ipswich jets, yes that's definitely on the cards, if at least as a negotiating pawn to influence the other bids. It's why Albanese and the qld government are helping fund a $40 million training centre there, as mentioned above. But of course, no collaboration there lol, it was obvious as soon as that upgrade was announced that this play was going to be made.

Interesting Tony Cochrane mentioned on radio a few weeks ago that the western corridor is already gone for the nrl, so they shouldn't bother. I found that interesting, Tony does make big statements though.

My leaguie mate in qld lives out that way, is always annoyed the nrl didn't get into Springfield like the lions did and said there are heaps of polynesian's out that way that could be serviced.

It's also interesting the nrl would then have 5 teams in qld, yet the afl only have two in their second biggest market w.a.

Five NRL teams in Queensland, with four in South East Queensland and three playing home games in Brisbane, would be really interesting and say a lot about how concerned the NRL is about the AFL's growth in QLD. It means that we'd see two NRL games in South East Queensland every weekend and two at Suncorp Stadium every second week. Is that an oversaturation or does the Brisbane market have an appetite for that much rugby league every week?

If it does happen, does it then lead to the AFL potentially establishing a third team in Queensland? I think it would at least be a consideration. The Lions already have a presence in the western corridor/in the city and the Suns obviously have the southern area covered, so I'd probably start a North Brisbane team that plays a game or two in the Sunshine Coast each year and for most of the year they share whatever stadium the Lions end up in once the Olympic situation is sorted.

 

[Bjo187]

Five NRL teams in Queensland, with four in South East Queensland and three playing home games in Brisbane, would be really interesting and say a lot about how concerned the NRL is about the AFL's growth in QLD. It means that we'd see two NRL games in South East Queensland every weekend and two at Suncorp Stadium every second week. Is that an oversaturation or does the Brisbane market have an appetite for that much rugby league every week?

If it does happen, does it then lead to the AFL potentially establishing a third team in Queensland? I think it would at least be a consideration. The Lions already have a presence in the western corridor/in the city and the Suns obviously have the southern area covered, so I'd probably start a North Brisbane team that plays a game or two in the Sunshine Coast each year and for most of the year they share whatever stadium the Lions end up in once the Olympic situation is sorted.

Yes I do think it's pouring too much into one market for them, I think they likely prefer Perth, but the Ipswich funding is to create competition to squeeze more outta the Perth bid imo.

Yeah a new Olympic stadium and another nrl team could prompt the afl to want to also strengthen their footprint in seq. I don't think they need to though and I wouldn't be doing that till both the suns and lions are popular enough that they're regularly topping out at gc stadium and at a new Olympic stadium.

I don't think you can have too many expansion clubs going at the same time in non traditional areas, 2 is enough and if Canberra comes in that's kinda 3 already. Teams in these locations require a lot more funding. Both sports love Queensland though and that seems to be the frontline in the battle for new fans for the afl, so nothing would surprise me.

 

[RedV3x]

The Lions already have a presence in the western corridor/in the city and the Suns obviously have the southern area covered, so I'd probably start a North Brisbane team that plays a game or two in the Sunshine Coast each year and for most of the year they share whatever stadium the Lions end up in once the Olympic situation is sorted.

IMO that would be the thinking.

 

[RedV3x]

I don't think you can have too many expansion clubs going at the same time in non traditional areas,

That can be read both ways. The latter clarified your thinking.

2 is enough and if Canberra comes in that's kinda 3 already.

Tasmania will technically be an "expansion" club.

Teams in these locations require a lot more funding.

Hopefully we'll see some maturation in the near future.

Both sports love Queensland though and that seems to be the frontline in the battle for new fans for the AFL, so nothing would surprise me.

Obvious there still exists the "pissing contest" mentality.
The Dolphins moved a number of rugby league supporters into being counted as NRL supporters.
I'd imagine ipswitch would be an attempt to duplicate that.
A Canberra AFL team would be an attempt to identify AFL supporters and then grow the game.
It would be interesting if Qld3 was introduced before Pth3. because technically Pth3 has a better case.
The trouble with Pth3 is that they don't have a Redcliffe or Ipswitch equivalent.
You cannot point a finger in Perth and say "that is where the new team should be based"
though the N.M. Bunbury/Busselton games are an interesting development.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

Five NRL teams in Queensland, with four in South East Queensland and three playing home games in Brisbane, would be really interesting and say a lot about how concerned the NRL is about the AFL's growth in QLD. It means that we'd see two NRL games in South East Queensland every weekend and two at Suncorp Stadium every second week. Is that an oversaturation or does the Brisbane market have an appetite for that much rugby league every week?

If it does happen, does it then lead to the AFL potentially establishing a third team in Queensland? I think it would at least be a consideration. The Lions already have a presence in the western corridor/in the city and the Suns obviously have the southern area covered, so I'd probably start a North Brisbane team that plays a game or two in the Sunshine Coast each year and for most of the year they share whatever stadium the Lions end up in once the Olympic situation is sorted.

Yes I do think it's pouring too much into one market for them, I think they likely prefer Perth, but the Ipswich funding is to create competition to squeeze more outta the Perth bid imo.

Yeah a new Olympic stadium and another nrl team could prompt the afl to want to also strengthen their footprint in seq. I don't think they need to though and I wouldn't be doing that till both the suns and lions are popular enough that they're regularly topping out at gc stadium and at a new Olympic stadium.

I don't think you can have too many expansion clubs going at the same time in non traditional areas, 2 is enough and if Canberra comes in that's kinda 3 already. Teams in these locations require a lot more funding. Both sports love Queensland though and that seems to be the frontline in the battle for new fans for the afl, so nothing would surprise me.

High Speed Rail Authority | High Speed Rail Authority

Learn more about the High Speed Rail Authority High Speed Rail Authority project and have your say on the interactive portal

www.hsra.gov.au

Would a North Melbourne relocation as Brisbane 2, instead of creating a brand new license in that region to combat the NRL going for a 5th license in Brisbane so there is at least support for the club down in Victoria similar to the Lions, while also having the northern suburbs and regions to themselves and not being a new club like their Gold-Coast twin in being irrelevant so far.

They could be known as the Queensland Kangaroos and play most of their home matches (9-10) in Brisbane alongside the Lions. They would have a secondary market initially in FNQ of Cairns and Townsville (2-3) for the first few years however would ideally be transferred to the Sunshine Coast (2-3) if a new boutique stadium is built to build valid support around the whole of the region with their club headquarters being located in Sunshine Coast as well.

With that proposed model, you would have the following by 2050 covered on the map:

Brisbane Lions: CBD of Brisbane + Western regions of metro QLD + support from VIC (1997).
Gold Coast Suns: CBD of Gold Coast + South-Eastern regions of metro QLD (2012)
North Queensland Crocodiles: CBD of Cairns and Townsville + all of FNQ regions (2050)
Queensland Kangaroos: CBD of Sunshine Coast + Northern regions of metro QLD + support from VIC (2038).

Granted though in saying that this proposal would only work if the AFL decide on going beyond 22 teams and the AFL really need to keep striking the rod hot with both the Lions and Suns continuing to perform well on/off-field as well as external factors such as population growth and RL decline. But with the Olympics happening there in 2032 and the new light-rail coming in for the east coast in the future, it could be a perfect time for the AFL to keep expanding into RL states before it's too late.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

High Speed Rail Authority | High Speed Rail Authority

Learn more about the High Speed Rail Authority High Speed Rail Authority project and have your say on the interactive portal

www.hsra.gov.au

Would a North Melbourne relocation as Brisbane 2, instead of creating a brand new license in that region to combat the NRL going for a 5th license in Brisbane so there is at least support for the club down in Victoria similar to the Lions, while also having the northern suburbs and regions to themselves and not being a new club like their Gold-Coast twin in being irrelevant so far.

They could be known as the Queensland Kangaroos and play most of their home matches (9-10) in Brisbane alongside the Lions. They would have a secondary market initially in FNQ of Cairns and Townsville (2-3) for the first few years however would ideally be transferred to the Sunshine Coast (2-3) if a new boutique stadium is built to build valid support around the whole of the region with their club headquarters being located in Sunshine Coast as well.

With that proposed model, you would have the following by 2050 covered on the map:

Brisbane Lions: CBD of Brisbane + Western regions of metro QLD + support from VIC (1997).
Gold Coast Suns: CBD of Gold Coast + South-Eastern regions of metro QLD (2012)
North Queensland Crocodiles: CBD of Cairns and Townsville + all of FNQ regions (2050)
Queensland Kangaroos: CBD of Sunshine Coast + Northern regions of metro QLD + support from VIC (2038).

Granted though in saying that this proposal would only work if the AFL decide on going beyond 22 teams and the AFL really need to keep striking the rod hot with both the Lions and Suns continuing to perform well on/off-field as well as external factors such as population growth and RL decline. But with the Olympics happening there in 2032 and the new light-rail coming in for the east coast in the future, it could be a perfect time for the AFL to keep expanding into RL states before it's too late.

If infrastructure projects are the justification for basing a team somewhere, isn't the new Arden Melbourne Metro station equally an argument to keep North at Arden St? Bloody hell.

 

[GC2015]

High Speed Rail Authority | High Speed Rail Authority

Learn more about the High Speed Rail Authority High Speed Rail Authority project and have your say on the interactive portal

www.hsra.gov.au

Would a North Melbourne relocation as Brisbane 2, instead of creating a brand new license in that region to combat the NRL going for a 5th license in Brisbane so there is at least support for the club down in Victoria similar to the Lions, while also having the northern suburbs and regions to themselves and not being a new club like their Gold-Coast twin in being irrelevant so far.

They could be known as the Queensland Kangaroos and play most of their home matches (9-10) in Brisbane alongside the Lions. They would have a secondary market initially in FNQ of Cairns and Townsville (2-3) for the first few years however would ideally be transferred to the Sunshine Coast (2-3) if a new boutique stadium is built to build valid support around the whole of the region with their club headquarters being located in Sunshine Coast as well.

With that proposed model, you would have the following by 2050 covered on the map:

Brisbane Lions: CBD of Brisbane + Western regions of metro QLD + support from VIC (1997).
Gold Coast Suns: CBD of Gold Coast + South-Eastern regions of metro QLD (2012)
North Queensland Crocodiles: CBD of Cairns and Townsville + all of FNQ regions (2050)
Queensland Kangaroos: CBD of Sunshine Coast + Northern regions of metro QLD + support from VIC (2038).

Granted though in saying that this proposal would only work if the AFL decide on going beyond 22 teams and the AFL really need to keep striking the rod hot with both the Lions and Suns continuing to perform well on/off-field as well as external factors such as population growth and RL decline. But with the Olympics happening there in 2032 and the new light-rail coming in for the east coast in the future, it could be a perfect time for the AFL to keep expanding into RL states before it's too late.

I'm sure in an ideal world the AFL would like to move North to the Sunshine Coast/North Brisbane, but that's not very realistic now. They tried that with the Gold Coast and that was back when the Roos actually could be moved without the permission of the members. They failed to do it back then and it would be A LOT harder now.

If the NRL do establish another team in Queensland and base them in Brisbane/Ipswich, then I'd say that's when the AFL probably needs to start thinking about a third team in south east Queensland. It's going to be too much for the Lions to compete with three NRL teams in the Brisbane market IMO. The AFL should start a 19th team in Tassie and the 20th team can be earmarked for North Brisbane/Sunshine Coast.

 

[Cubs2Lions]

I'm sure in an ideal world the AFL would like to move North to the Sunshine Coast/North Brisbane, but that's not very realistic now. They tried that with the Gold Coast and that was back when the Roos actually could be moved without the permission of the members. They failed to do it back then and it would be A LOT harder now.

If the NRL do establish another team in Queensland and base them in Brisbane/Ipswich, then I'd say that's when the AFL probably needs to start thinking about a third team in south east Queensland. It's going to be too much for the Lions to compete with three NRL teams in the Brisbane market IMO. The AFL should start a 19th team in Tassie and the 20th team can be earmarked for North Brisbane/Sunshine Coast.

That's true and it would be highly unlikely that the Kangaroos were going to move in the first place even if I still think the best case would be a North Melbourne and NT joint-venture model IMO.

Regarding a third SEQ team, still have doubts about that happening especially if it is a brand new team coming in and representing the North Brisbane / Sunshine Coast as we saw the ramifications of Gold Coast coming in and causing Brisbane's membership base to half.

As much as it would be nice to have another team up there, it's only recently that the Lions have gained decent popularity again from numerous finals appearances and a premiership to their name while the Suns haven't played finals since their inception so I'm still a little concerned what will happen if the Lions have a dip again or the Gold Coast continues to fail.

Plus, QLD3 would not be ready for the 20th team slot IMO (either Canberra, WA3 or NT) and would have more luck bidding for the 21st and 22nd team.

Hopefully the NRL don't locate another team in SEQ though but if the Perth or PNG bid fails, they will definitely replace that with another SEQ team in Ipswich as you said.

No offence to RL supporters but funny how they consider themselves a national sport also

 

[GC2015]

That's true and it would be highly unlikely that the Kangaroos were going to move in the first place even if I still think the best case would be a North Melbourne and NT joint-venture model IMO.

Regarding a third SEQ team, still have doubts about that happening especially if it is a brand new team coming in and representing the North Brisbane / Sunshine Coast as we saw the ramifications of Gold Coast coming in and causing Brisbane's membership base to half.

As much as it would be nice to have another team up there, it's only recently that the Lions have gained decent popularity again from numerous finals appearances and a premiership to their name while the Suns haven't played finals since their inception so I'm still a little concerned what will happen if the Lions have a dip again or the Gold Coast continues to fail.

Plus, QLD3 would not be ready for the 20th team slot IMO (either Canberra, WA3 or NT) and would have more luck bidding for the 21st and 22nd team.

Hopefully the NRL don't locate another team in SEQ though but if the Perth or PNG bid fails, they will definitely replace that with another SEQ team in Ipswich as you said.

No offence to RL supporters but funny how they consider themselves a national sport also

I can understand your hesitation from a Lions' perspective after what happened last time another Queensland team entered the league. From an AFL perspective, a second team in Brisbane essentially means double the chance of Brisbane being represented in the finals each year. So even if the Lions do fall away (which they eventually will), there's always the possibility that a second Brisbane team makes the finals and the Brisbane market remains engaged in the product during September. Don't forget, Brisbane is the only major city that doesn't have two teams in the AFL so it's completely dependent on the Lions remaining highly competitive. That's not a good long term strategy because we know the Lions are going to eventually fall away.

There's also the dream scenario that has the Lions, Suns AND Brisbane2 all playing finals at the same time. That would really super charge growth up here!

 

[GOTHELIONS16]

The Brisbane Lions had 65000 members in 2024 compared to Brisbane Broncos 40000.

So the argument is that Brisbane city has more passionate AFL fans than passionate NRL fans.

Am I wrong?

When I say passionate, I mean they genuinely go for their team. Not just because they’ve grown up in a traditional NRL state and identify with a team, or watch the game but barely care if their team wins or loses.