Expansion Why don't Sydney NRL fans go to games?

[cos789]

At present though, Aussie rules is a long way behind in Sydney if you think about what it can offer relative to the NRL

The AFL offers in Sydney
1) chance to join in conversations in bars and schoolyards
2) Chance to play with your school mates or colleagues
3) Chance for a business to strengthen support with its customers by flying the flag of the local team
4) A conversation starter with strangers
5) Something to talk about at work on a Monday morning
6) An entertaining product to watch on the weekends

Aussie Football has grown, it has supplied some of the things that the people want . For most of the last three decades; however, if you watched Aussie rules you watched it in pleasant company , or with an assortment of individuals that were or were not part of your immediate social sphere.

With more grassroots development and a second team, this could develope even more and the AFL could offer more than it already does . having achieved some kind of critical mass anything is possible.

 

[THRILLHO]

If the second Sydney team is a success, AFL will take over.

This will never happen. The News Ltd media will not allow it. The Australian and the Telegraph both over-expose NRL when it is not justified. Case in point, the next-day report of the Anzac day clash in The Australian: NRL was given the main picture and article, despite a lack of interest from supporters, the AFL game was relegated to the second story on the page despite huge support from the supporters. Besides, it's not on the AFL's agenda to 'take over'. They dont want fans becoming hostile to AFL, they want people to support both AFL and NRL. Realistically, the AFL does not harbour desires to 'take-over'

The NRL offers in Sydney

2) Chance to play with most of your school mates or colleagues

Maybe. I cant refute that, NRL at grass-roots in Sydney is undoubtedly more popular than AFL, but I do have some anecdotal evidence in an isolated situation which may change people's outlooks. The UNSW Rugby League team is not operating this year due to lack of numbers. The UNSW Bulldogs (AFL) has four teams in four grades, and a woman's team. Furthermore, there was discussion of operating an under 21's side in the second grade, making five teams in four grades.

 

[cos789]

The NRL offers in Sydney
4) A conversation starter with strangers

I found it a conversation killer with females .
Whereas they were open to the Swannies .

 

[littleduck]

I found it a conversation killer with females .
Whereas they were open to the Swannies .

A conversation about the Swans would not be game-related... but rather the atmosphere of the event at the SCG or Homebush being fun and exciting. It doesnt matter whether the Swans win or lose the females love the off-field activivies of a fun event.

 

[genghiskhan]

On that point, I found that you could talk footy with pretty much anyone in Tassie, but in Qld even trying to talk about their RL didn't get you anywhere very often. It was quite a culture shock, and left me rather high and dry as my tried and tested conversation starter was rendered ineffective.

I don't know about Queensland, but Sydney sounds similar. If you speak to most Melbournians, whether they be arty, women or okers, you can be reasonably confident they will have an interest in Aussie rules. So much so, I have some friends and family who moved down there and took an interest in Aussie rules even though they previously had no interest in sport at all.

In the inner city or north Sydney, you can't really expect that the people you meet with have an interest in any code, be it rugby league, union or Aussie rules. Out west, it is probable that the people you talk to will have an interest in rugby league, but it is not as probable as people from Melbourne having an interest in AFL.

For me, it makes a difference when I meet strangers from the respective cities. If I meet a Melbournian, I often ask about football. If I meet a Sydney sider, I'll ask something else.

 

[cos789]

In the inner city or north Sydney, you can't really expect that the people you meet with have an interest in any code, be it rugby league, union or Aussie rules.

When in fact they do have an interest .

So what is it gengiscan't ? What are you doing about the
aparthied aboriginal rl competition in country NSW .
Yo're so keen about this racial thing ,
but I haven't heard anymore from you .
I know your committed to the cause
because you spoke so vehemently for it .

.

 

[genghiskhan]

This will never happen. The News Ltd media will not allow it. The Australian and the Telegraph both over-expose NRL when it is not justified. Case in point, the next-day report of the Anzac day clash in The Australian: NRL was given the main picture and article, despite a lack of interest from supporters, the AFL game was relegated to the second story on the page despite huge support from the supporters. Besides, it's not on the AFL's agenda to 'take over'. They dont want fans becoming hostile to AFL, they want people to support both AFL and NRL. Realistically, the AFL does not harbour desires to 'take-over'




Maybe. I cant refute that, NRL at grass-roots in Sydney is undoubtedly more popular than AFL, but I do have some anecdotal evidence in an isolated situation which may change people's outlooks. The UNSW Rugby League team is not operating this year due to lack of numbers. The UNSW Bulldogs (AFL) has four teams in four grades, and a woman's team. Furthermore, there was discussion of operating an under 21's side in the second grade, making five teams in four grades.

On your point about the media, you over-estimate its influence. The media has to give consumers what they want otherwise they weaken their connection with their readers. For example, most journalists would love to write one hard-hitting story after another, but end up being forced to write about Paris Hilton because she sells more. Furthermore, people can just get online these days if they don't like what the media is telling them. The media just puts out is banquet and you decide what you want to eat. If you don't like anything, you go somewhere else.

As for the UNSW, you shouldn't read too much into that. Universities draw students from around Australia so its expected that they would be able to put together an Aussie rules team. In fact, it would be more likely for someone from interstate to join a team because it gives an opportunity to make some friends in a foreign environment. (Rugby league's stronghold is also amongst people that don't go to university.)

 

[cos789]

So what is it gengiscan't ? What are you doing about the
aparthied aboriginal rl competition in country NSW .
Yo're so keen about this racial thing ,
but I haven't heard anymore from you .
I know your committed to the cause
because you spoke so vehemently for it .

You made such an issue about this .

Why can't you reply ?

.

 

[genghiskhan]

When in fact they do have an interest .

So what is it gengiscan't ? What are you doing about the
aparthied aboriginal rl competition in country NSW .
Yo're so keen about this racial thing ,
but I haven't heard anymore from you .
I know your committed to the cause
because you spoke so vehemently for it .

.

Wouldn't that be an issue that would better be discussed on a rugby league board?

There are limits in regards to what one man can do. When we encounter people who show the same ideologies expressed in the 1860s, we can try to encourage them to see the error of their ways and with time hope the problem can be remedied. One drop can become two, two become four and so on. Then it may be time for the banner waving that you desire.

With you, it is proving difficult because instead of trying to engage with the subject matter, and defend your point of view, you are trying to weave distractions. These distractions keep you in denial about these 1860s ideologies that you need to address.

 

[jpdixon]

As for the UNSW, you shouldn't read too much into that. Universities draw students from around Australia so its expected that they would be able to put together an Aussie rules team. In fact, it would be more likely for someone from interstate to join a team because it gives an opportunity to make some friends in a foreign environment. (Rugby league's stronghold is also amongst people that don't go to university.)

More to the point, the UNSW Aussie rules club is in the top-level Sydney competition and is not simply a uni team, but the result of a merger with the oldest club in the city. Hardly comparable with a league team competing in university competitions, formed many years after extremely well established local clubs.

 

[cos789]

Wouldn't that be an issue that would better be discussed on a rugby league board?

You had no trouble discussing it vehemently on an AFL board before.
It's a simple question .
Reqires only a simple answer .

We're still waiting on an answer .

.

 

[genghiskhan]

You had no trouble discussing it vehemently on an AFL board before.
It's a simple question .
Reqires only a simple answer .

We're still waiting on an answer .

.

I gave you the answer. As I've said many times with my dealings with you, it would be helpful if I had some finger puppets to make things more simple than they already are, but on this board all I have is words. If you fail to understand, go back and read a second, a third, or a fourth time until you do understand. If working it out yourself is impossible, get your mummy to explain it to you.

 

[Roobs321]

Ive lived in both states, each for around a decade. And there is a vast difference.

1. I have only two NSW mates i would call mad-NRL fans. And i quote one 'i dont watch or like neutral games that much'.
Mad-AFL fans like me will watch as much as possible, regardless of club.

2. Most other people were casual at best with their NRL interest. Some were actually more passionate about insulting AFL, or going to NRL games coz their mates are. ie. to fit in. But soccer is my towns 'club'.

3. NRL is only on FTA twice in NSW, and recently in the last year went up to 3. AFL in a 'non-AFL' state is still live at least twice, including 4 all up.

4. ANZ crowds are absolutely massive.

5. Other than SoO, no one talks about NRL except for the mad fans.

6. The papers have no where near as many pages as the AFL does down here.

7. Only the intelligent/diverse sports fans have a valued opinion on the nature of the footy landscape.

 

[THRILLHO]

As for the UNSW, you shouldn't read too much into that. Universities draw students from around Australia so its expected that they would be able to put together an Aussie rules team. In fact, it would be more likely for someone from interstate to join a team because it gives an opportunity to make some friends in a foreign environment. (Rugby league's stronghold is also amongst people that don't go to university.)

That would be a fair point if university students were actually represented amongst the UNSW team. In 2006, when I played for them, in the first and second grade, there were less than five students. The coach and administrators had to beg the students to go to the annual sports meeting (two students from the team had to be present at the AGM so as to ensure the uni' did not withdraw funding from the team). The other 45-50 odd players all held full-time jobs.

EDIT: You also make the gross generalisation that 'Rugby league's stronghold is also amongst people that don't go to university'. I'm not going to debate that, but in '06, another team within the area, Kensington, did not field a team in '06 and only operates a team this year due to the UNSW side ceasing to field a team. As far as Im aware, the Kensington team has no affiliation with a university.

 

[Professor Knowall]

I don't know about Queensland, but Sydney sounds similar. If you speak to most Melbournians, whether they be arty, women or okers, you can be reasonably confident they will have an interest in Aussie rules. So much so, I have some friends and family who moved down there and took an interest in Aussie rules even though they previously had no interest in sport at all.

In the inner city or north Sydney, you can't really expect that the people you meet with have an interest in any code, be it rugby league, union or Aussie rules. Out west, it is probable that the people you talk to will have an interest in rugby league, but it is not as probable as people from Melbourne having an interest in AFL.

For me, it makes a difference when I meet strangers from the respective cities. If I meet a Melbournian, I often ask about football. If I meet a Sydney sider, I'll ask something else.

Good post. That's been my (admittingly fairly limited) experience in the brief times I've worked in Sydney CBD. I concluded that Sydney just isn't a footy oriented city (of any code) in the way Melbourne most definitely is - and so too is Adelaide (can't speak about Perth as I've never worked there). And it seems it's always been that way.

 

[littleduck]

Good post. That's been my (admittingly fairly limited) experience in the brief times I've worked in Sydney CBD. I concluded that Sydney just isn't a footy oriented city (of any code) in the way Melbourne most definitely is - and so too is Adelaide (can't speak about Perth as I've never worked there). And it seems it's always been that way.

AFL is traditionally all encompassing in Melbourne. Its a way of life. Only in the last 10 years has Melbourne begun to be a true multi-code city with Melbournians having the choice of 3 brands of football to support at the highest club level and above.

No brand of football has ever been ingrained into the culture of Sydney in a similar way to AFL being entrenched into Melbourne culture. The reasons are obvious. Rugby is traditionally the game for private schools and the boardrooms of Sydney whereas RL is traditionally the working class game for the masses. Obviously such cultural differnece between League and Union no longer exist as they once did and the traditional divide is no longer.

The reality is no sport or brand of football is entrenched into the culture and way of life of any city anywhere in the world in the same as AFL is entrenched in Melbourne.

 

[1908]

I live in Melbourne and you are spot on. I would imagine Adelaide and Tassie are the same, also Perth. So it never surprises me the figures AFL get, traditionally it has never had to compete against strong codes.

 

[cos789]

I gave you the answer.

No , you just game directions to the rl board .


So what is it gengiscan't ? What are you doing about the
aparthied aboriginal rl competition in country NSW .
Yo're so keen about this racial thing ,
but I haven't heard anymore from you .
I know your committed to the cause
because you spoke so vehemently for it .

You haven't answered the question and that diversion tactic
of attacking me isn't going to work .
Your the weakest troll around and you've been found out .
Own up and move on .

 

[rjslcM]

who cares?

 

[Aucklander]

who cares?

Hard to understand all the badgering.

A bit hypocritical to ask someone else to explain themselves when you refuse to apologise when found clearly being in the wrong in the past.

 

[cos789]

I live in Melbourne and you are spot on. I would imagine Adelaide and Tassie are the same, also Perth. So it never surprises me the figures AFL get

Yes , Adelaide and perth are the same

traditionally it has never had to compete against strong codes.

It competed ......and won ..

 

[cos789]

Hard to understand all the badgering.

A bit hypocritical to ask someone else to explain themselves when you refuse to apologise when found clearly being in the wrong in the past.

Your an avid rl person . And sometimes reasonable one .
So what is your take with this aparthied aboriginal rl competition
in country NSW .
Do you think it's a good or bad thing ?

.

 

[Aucklander]

Your an avid rl person .

I'm a sports fan, cos. But then you knew that already, cos.

So what is your take with this aparthied aboriginal rl competition
in country NSW .
Do you think it's a good or bad thing ?

.

More info and your apology first.

TIA.

 

[genghiskhan]

No , you just game directions to the rl board .


So what is it gengiscan't ? What are you doing about the
aparthied aboriginal rl competition in country NSW .
Yo're so keen about this racial thing ,
but I haven't heard anymore from you .
I know your committed to the cause
because you spoke so vehemently for it .

You haven't answered the question and that diversion tactic
of attacking me isn't going to work .
Your the weakest troll around and you've been found out .
Own up and move on .

I've repeated the answer for you once more on the thread it was being discussed on. Return to that thread if you want to debate it.

Your sin is not that you have an 1860s ideology. Afterall, you are a product of Australian history and we can't hold it against you that you've never known any other way. Your sin is that now you are being encouraged to open your mind and consider the consequences of your attitudes, yet you carry on like a child in order to maintain that white blindfold over your eyes.

 

[cos789]

Your sin is not that you have an 1860s ideology. Afterall, you are a product of Australian history and we can't hold it against you that you've never known any other way. Your sin is that now you are being encouraged to open your mind and consider the consequences of your attitudes, yet you carry on like a child in order to maintain that white blindfold over your eyes.

You rant this . Then say

I've repeated the answer for you once more on the thread it was being discussed on. Return to that thread if you want to debate it.

The only only answer is that you aren't going to answer .
When you haven't posted an answer anywhere .
All you you have to do is give your opinion on the
aboriginal rl league in existance in country NSW ,
as obviously this issue is of great concern to you
that you vehemently attack people who have innocent thoughts .