Zico Posted November 15, 2016 Posted November 15, 2016 Smiffers - AFL is the national game mate. Two teams in Sydney, two in Queensland, two in Adelaide, two in Perth and they all get good crowds. TBF I have not checked NRL regular weekly crowds in detail over here and concede that SOO is huge and sells out (and is usually a beltin' watch purely because of its intensity). From what I have seen, not many NRL games exceed 20,000 attendance. AFL matches in Adelaide and Perth sell out (there are waiting lists for the West Coast Eagles, Port Adelaide and Adelaide Crows season tickets). NRL comes a very poor second and are becoming hysterically worried about the huge growth in football from every angle. Parents are now choosing 'soccer' for their kids before what they perceive to be dangerous pastimes like AFL and NRL. There have been crowds of 40,000 and 50,000 at recent A League games (which NRL can only match with SOO games). The two established games are openly shitting themselves and discussing their fears on TV talk shows etc. Both acknowledge their 'limited appeal' and the aspirational side of association football (i.e. play all over the world, World Cups, European Cups and championships - note a lot of Aussie kids have dual nationality) and can't see how they can compete. They have both been actively working against the growth of football for decades but fighting a losing battle. The floodgates have opened now and Australia having found an easier route to World Cup finals has had a massive part to play. When they used to have to two leg it in a qualifying match with the fourth best team in South America, they rarely got through. Now they are in a SE Asia qualifying group, their chances have improved dramatically. Your loyalty to the mining towns game is admirable sir but reality has to be faced. It is not going to grow and will remain a minority sport in world terms for the foreseeable future. Comparing RL to RU is like comparing a rowing boat to the HMS Prince Of Wales. was having a mooch at the teams in the A League to see if anyone decent played there best I could find was Thomas Sorenson and Andy Keogh and it turns out Donald Trump plays for Perth Glory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth_Glory_FC Quote
Smiffs Posted November 15, 2016 Posted November 15, 2016 (edited) Arguing? Discussing. You are correct about NRL and AFL being minority sports though. One played in two thirds of one country, the other in two fifths of one country, three English counties and token presence in France and Papua New Guinea. Mate - check those stats. If you took away AFL out of Melbourne, it'd be on a par with dominos. NRL is the most watched sport in Australia. Simple as that. Each week over 3 million people watch it and every game is shown on TV. The number of people watching Union is only slightly more than those who watch kabaddi on the South Pole. The Wallabies tests against England drew less than pretty much every Thursday night live NRL game and less than a third of the Origin games but you reckon its on a par with league? I know you live nearer to Argentina than Stadium Australia mate but that's no excuse for not knowing what goes on in your homeland. Edited November 15, 2016 by Smiffs Quote
MalcolmW Posted November 15, 2016 Posted November 15, 2016 Both acknowledge their 'limited appeal' and the aspirational side of association football (i.e. play all over the world, World Cups, European Cups and championships - note a lot of Aussie kids have dual nationality) and can't see how they can compete. They have both been actively working against the growth of football for decades but fighting a losing battle. The floodgates have opened now and Australia having found an easier route to World Cup finals has had a massive part to play. When they used to have to two leg it in a qualifying match with the fourth best team in South America, they rarely got through. Now they are in a SE Asia qualifying group, their chances have improved dramatically. I think you are wrong to describe the group(s) as SE Asia. Quote
Youri McAnespie Posted November 15, 2016 Posted November 15, 2016 They could only manage a 2-2 WC Qualifying draw with Thailand an' all, a team who had an ex-ladyboy at centre-half. Quote
bolty58 Posted November 16, 2016 Posted November 16, 2016 They could only manage a 2-2 WC Qualifying draw with Thailand an' all, a team who had an ex-ladyboy at centre-half. Beltin'. They'll be calling for the managers head shortly. The cricket is even better. Delightful watching them suffer the cocky bastards. Quote
bolty58 Posted November 16, 2016 Posted November 16, 2016 was having a mooch at the teams in the A League to see if anyone decent played there best I could find was Thomas Sorenson and Andy Keogh and it turns out Donald Trump plays for Perth Glory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth_Glory_FC Keep taking the tablets. Quote
bolty58 Posted November 16, 2016 Posted November 16, 2016 I think you are wrong to describe the group(s) as SE Asia. Agreed. I meant Asian. We use the term 'SE Asia' down here so much it becomes a habit. Maintain the rage mate. Quote
bolty58 Posted November 16, 2016 Posted November 16, 2016 (edited) NRL is the most watched sport in Australia. Simple as that. Each week over 3 million people watch it and every game is shown on TV. HANG ON TO EVERY THREAD OF HOPE MATE. ADMIRABLE. The Wallabies tests against England drew less than pretty much every Thursday night live NRL game and less than a third of the Origin games but you reckon its on a par with league? I know you live nearer to Argentina than Stadium Australia mate but that's no excuse for not knowing what goes on in your homeland. YOU REALLY THINK I'D BITE AT THAT : : Edited November 16, 2016 by bolty58 Quote
Casino Posted November 19, 2016 Posted November 19, 2016 Twas all a bit RL No defence to be seen Quote
bolty58 Posted November 20, 2016 Posted November 20, 2016 Boring as bat shit. The Japs were unlucky though. Quote
Guest Posted November 20, 2016 Posted November 20, 2016 Smiffers - AFL is the national game mate. Two teams in Sydney, two in Queensland, two in Adelaide, two in Perth and they all get good crowds. TBF I have not checked NRL regular weekly crowds in detail over here and concede that SOO is huge and sells out (and is usually a beltin' watch purely because of its intensity). From what I have seen, not many NRL games exceed 20,000 attendance. AFL matches in Adelaide and Perth sell out (there are waiting lists for the West Coast Eagles, Port Adelaide and Adelaide Crows season tickets). NRL comes a very poor second and are becoming hysterically worried about the huge growth in football from every angle. Parents are now choosing 'soccer' for their kids before what they perceive to be dangerous pastimes like AFL and NRL. There have been crowds of 40,000 and 50,000 at recent A League games (which NRL can only match with SOO games). The two established games are openly shitting themselves and discussing their fears on TV talk shows etc. Both acknowledge their 'limited appeal' and the aspirational side of association football (i.e. play all over the world, World Cups, European Cups and championships - note a lot of Aussie kids have dual nationality) and can't see how they can compete. They have both been actively working against the growth of football for decades but fighting a losing battle. The floodgates have opened now and Australia having found an easier route to World Cup finals has had a massive part to play. When they used to have to two leg it in a qualifying match with the fourth best team in South America, they rarely got through. Now they are in a SE Asia qualifying group, their chances have improved dramatically. Your loyalty to the mining towns game is admirable sir but reality has to be faced. It is not going to grow and will remain a minority sport in world terms for the foreseeable future. Comparing RL to RU is like comparing a rowing boat to the HMS Prince Of Wales. Surely cricket is the national game? Quote
bolty58 Posted November 20, 2016 Posted November 20, 2016 Well, I have lived here for 20 odd years now and only ever heard AFL referred to as the national game. They refer to cricket as the 'peoples game' because backyard cricket games are an Aussie summer tradition. Makes no difference to me either way. Eric Higginbottom, Sky News, Perth. Quote
miamiwhite Posted November 20, 2016 Posted November 20, 2016 Well, I have lived here for 20 odd years now and only ever heard AFL referred to as the national game. They refer to cricket as the 'peoples game' because backyard cricket games are an Aussie summer tradition. Makes no difference to me either way. Eric Higginbottom, Sky News, Perth. Bolty, hope you're showing the Aussies the updates on BBC Cricket, they're getting some serious stick now mate. Superb.. Quote
bolty58 Posted November 21, 2016 Posted November 21, 2016 Bolty, hope you're showing the Aussies the updates on BBC Cricket, they're getting some serious stick now mate. Superb.. Don't you worry Miami - they getting some serious stick from me too. That's when they pop their heads above the parapet. Aussie cricket fans are surprisingly hard to find at the minute Quote
frank_spencer Posted November 21, 2016 Posted November 21, 2016 Don't you worry Miami - they getting some serious stick from me too. That's when they pop their heads above the parapet. Aussie cricket fans are surprisingly hard to find at the minute My brother is currently installing a swimming pool and lounge area at the Gabba so at least they can keep cool watching them get beat in December Quote
Traf Posted November 21, 2016 Posted November 21, 2016 Surely cricket is the national game? Aren't wife beating and drink driving also national games? Quote
bolty58 Posted November 30, 2016 Posted November 30, 2016 Can't wait for Saturdays game at Twickenham. The bastard media over here are bulling up Cheika's comments about 'that traitor Jones' at every opportunity. As soon as you see this, you know that they are fearing the worst. I will never forget 2003 when they knew England were a formidable team and likely to lift the WC. The 'Orcs on steroids' comments etc. were quite laughable but they plumbed new depths with their comments about 'the English like to kill their own princesses in Parisian tunnels' and similar - especially when you consider that Prince Harry was in attendance. Tasteless twats. You are all aware of their cricket wankers and others but believe me, their RU folk are the lowest of the low. The most biased commentators in any sport I have ever seen anywhere and the guttersnipe tactics ARU types will employ are lower than whale shit. Met their match this time however with Eddie Jones. I reckon he could give Jose Mourinho a run for his money with mind games. Hoping for a resounding England victory. Quote
MalcolmW Posted November 30, 2016 Posted November 30, 2016 Bonus points system is to be used i 2017 Six Nations, and it use reviewed thereafter. Quote
Guest Posted December 3, 2016 Posted December 3, 2016 Come on England Hoping they start playing sometime soon Quote
Salford Trotter Posted December 3, 2016 Posted December 3, 2016 England's try line defence was incredible for 10 minutes, a cracker of a game though Quote
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