AFL to launch 2nd team in Sydney

[Rafters]

Well done to the AFL. The Western Sydney area will welcome a team based in Blacktown.

As someone that lives in the Western Sydney area & has played for 2 Western Sydney clubs in the Sydney AFL for over 15 years I appreciate that there is an incredible amount of hard work (and luck) required in getting any such organisation to be a "real footy club" with its own ingrained footy culture from the president down through the coach, players & supporters. It will take more than 10 years as the Swans & Bears have shown. Cash & past experiences will assist with the transition.

The AFL should be applauded for having a go as rugby league & union have dropped the ball considerable in recent years in promoting to the younger generations in Sydney.

A team in Western Sydney WILL NOT detract from the Swans at all ... the number of moans I have heard about travelling "out west" to Homebush in recent years is actually quietly replicated by those from Blacktown & Penrith wanting to travel to the SCG to watch the Swans. They are two different fan bases.

The Swans (finally) have an established base with a strong brand & only bad management will make fickle fans leave the club ... nothing at all to do with a Western Sydney club being formed. In fact regular competition & media play may improve sponsor interest in climbing on board for both organisations & take away from other codes.

The push to Western Sydney may ultimately prove a flop ... but the AFL need to have a go & find out ... because there is a very real reality that it will be a success as well - just listening to some of the league legends & they are seriously worried about "aerial ping pong" taking over. Yes it is in the league heartland ...but when was the last NRL match played in Blacktown? It is a great strategic move by them not to compete with Penrith or Parramatta or Campbelltown.

As for those of this forum that question the intelligence levels of those from Western Sydney I STRONGLY OBJECT to such generalisations & would welcome a conversation with ye one day to prove yourselves wrong.

I wish the Western Sydney AFC all the best in its future endeavours.

[Wardy]

Dimetriou has said it will be 18 teams,and Wardy you are kidding your self if you think enough people in western sydney can support an AFL club.

Well if there is so much intrest in AFL in western sydney then why do the Swans have a lousy 25000 members in Sydney,and its the biggest city in the country.

If you think that only 3 people in sydney call it gayFL your kidding your self again.Its a thugby league town through and through,AFL will never equal NRL.

Heres a little question?

Q..How many people in your work place actully follow AFL/or are a member of a club?

A...Not even 3 i reckon

WRONG!!!!!!


Oh I forgot you know everything - ok so when are you going to get out of your concrete taxi and go on the board of the AFL? You dont think that the AFL have done studies on demographics, possibilities club registrations etc over say the last 5 years or so and can see trends? they would have data on every football code in the state from junior to senior level. They would have all crowd data on the major code games on those preceeding 5 years and as Old Roy Boy said - there are AFL posts popping up everywhere in Western Sydney where in years gone by there were none. For example, I went past Chevalier College in Bowral on the weekend very posh private school that has one of the strongest Rugby Union cultures going around - but even they can see that times have changed and what is now being constructed ?- an AFL field - the posts were going in last Saturday! so there must be something there for them to gage their decision and taht is only one example. They havent done it with the intention of "oh c'mon Mike & Andy lets do something that will piss that Swantastic bloke off because he thinks he's the font of all knowledge."! You really need to get out of Victoria more often.

You can guarantee that should a new club be established in Western Sydney that first year membership would be greatly discounted as an incentive and get bums on seats, its called marketing - ever heard of it?

As for my work place - well at the 2005 grand final there were 16 people I knew that went and are paid up members, we had another 10 or so who were in corporate boxes most of whom have since signed on as full members and that is only my 2 floors - I dont know the numbers from our other subsidiaries on the other 10 floors!! so sorry I cant be more accurate with numbers . Also in our Brisbane office I know of 8 Sydney expats who are paid up Swans country members and have also joined the Lions so as they get their fix of AFL. Is that enough for you?

[Wardy]

What makes me laugh about this is the amount of people on here who are saying, "I won't support them." I have news for you, the AFL don't want you to support them.

That's the idea, to try to gain more new supporters for Aussie rules.

exactly GS14 - its not rocket science is it amazing the blinkered reaction to progress of the game. If they had John O'Neill at the helm, god only knows how far the game could go - maybe the AFL should get him on the payroll, he did wonders for Rugby, then Soccer. He couldn't get the gig for NRL as David Gallop has that job sewn up for the next few years (that law training to write his own contract did wonders! ) so AFL is the next step.

[Wardy]

Well done to the AFL. The Western Sydney area will welcome a team based in Blacktown.

As someone that lives in the Western Sydney area & has played for 2 Western Sydney clubs in the Sydney AFL for over 15 years I appreciate that there is an incredible amount of hard work (and luck) required in getting any such organisation to be a "real footy club" with its own ingrained footy culture from the president down through the coach, players & supporters. It will take more than 10 years as the Swans & Bears have shown. Cash & past experiences will assist with the transition.

The AFL should be applauded for having a go as rugby league & union have dropped the ball considerable in recent years in promoting to the younger generations in Sydney.

A team in Western Sydney WILL NOT detract from the Swans at all ... the number of moans I have heard about travelling "out west" to Homebush in recent years is actually quietly replicated by those from Blacktown & Penrith wanting to travel to the SCG to watch the Swans. They are two different fan bases.

The Swans (finally) have an established base with a strong brand & only bad management will make fickle fans leave the club ... nothing at all to do with a Western Sydney club being formed. In fact regular competition & media play may improve sponsor interest in climbing on board for both organisations & take away from other codes.

The push to Western Sydney may ultimately prove a flop ... but the AFL need to have a go & find out ... because there is a very real reality that it will be a success as well - just listening to some of the league legends & they are seriously worried about "aerial ping pong" taking over. Yes it is in the league heartland ...but when was the last NRL match played in Blacktown? It is a great strategic move by them not to compete with Penrith or Parramatta or Campbelltown.

As for those of this forum that question the intelligence levels of those from Western Sydney I STRONGLY OBJECT to such generalisations & would welcome a conversation with ye one day to prove yourselves wrong.

I wish the Western Sydney AFC all the best in its future endeavours.

Well said Rafters, what people are forgetting is that more exposure to the game is a good thing. NRL & the ARU have become complacent this is AFL's chance to show them how it should be done - as for the generalisation of people in the western suburbs being a bunch of ninnies, well - I know how you feel - remember "shire" people cop it too for being a bunch of insular snobs when really we aren't. there are some of us that can see the bigger picture, and those who cant or just wont.

the Swans wont lose their fan base, but a team in Western Sydney will gain a brand new base.

As for comparing it to the West Sydney Razor Backs thats just silly - and the Basketball association has no where near the money that the AFL has so it will never have the type of backing that the AFL commands. What the Basketballers have as there total financial bank balance is what the AFL would use for lunch money. Just because the razor backs arent as popular as they once were (oddly enough because they aren't winning!) doesnt mean that the AFL is doomed to fail too.

[blinddog]

As one media commentator mentioned this has a lot to do with the next lot of tv rights and the AFL going after $1billion. 18 team season (longer season) in two large growth areas, not to mention PayTV will be able to get more games.

[Damien]

exactly GS14 - its not rocket science is it amazing the blinkered reaction to progress of the game. If they had John O'Neill at the helm, god only knows how far the game could go - maybe the AFL should get him on the payroll, he did wonders for Rugby, then Soccer. He couldn't get the gig for NRL as David Gallop has that job sewn up for the next few years (that law training to write his own contract did wonders! ) so AFL is the next step.

I agree with all you are writing Wardy on the new team issue but I have no real time for John O'Neil, who I believe has been the luckiest administrator in Australian Sporting history. His time now at Rugby will be his real test.

[Wardy]

I agree with all you are writing Wardy on the new team issue but I have no real time for John O'Neil, who I believe has been the luckiest administrator in Australian Sporting history. His time now at Rugby will be his real test.

totally agree - it will be interesting if he puts the same amount of passion into rugby the second time around as he did back in 2003 - but he seems to have something (or some ripper innappropriate photo's of some powerful people ) that he gets done what he wants done and on a grand scale.

[connolly]

Well said Rafters, what people are forgetting is that more exposure to the game is a good thing. NRL & the ARU have become complacent this is AFL's chance to show them how it should be done - as for the generalisation of people in the western suburbs being a bunch of ninnies, well - I know how you feel - remember "shire" people cop it too for being a bunch of insular snobs when really we aren't. there are some of us that can see the bigger picture, and those who cant or just wont.

the Swans wont lose their fan base, but a team in Western Sydney will gain a brand new base.

As for comparing it to the West Sydney Razor Backs thats just silly - and the Basketball association has no where near the money that the AFL has so it will never have the type of backing that the AFL commands. What the Basketballers have as there total financial bank balance is what the AFL would use for lunch money. Just because the razor backs arent as popular as they once were (oddly enough because they aren't winning!) doesnt mean that the AFL is doomed to fail too.

1. Can you name one artifical corporate club creation that has worked recently? Freo and Port Adelaide don't count as they drew on existing club structures.
2. John O'Neill would be perfect to captian this Titanic. The A League is not just technically bankrupt it is bankrupt. And the RU attempt to create "super" intra city clubs has just sank like a stone.
3. If the Razorbacks (pig on a spit) example is inappropriate give us one that has worked.
4. Yes the AFL will pour millions (tens? hundred?? hundreds???) into this venture in a region that is yet to produce one AFL footballer of note ( I say Bevo qualifies but most here don't agree) but is it in the best interests of the code in NSW and Sydney? Thats the real issue not whether it will attract more people to the code. More people are being attracted to code by the good work done by the Bloods, the sheer incompetence of RL club administration (eg Bullies and Panthers) and the natural superiority of our code.
5. The real issue is will more people be attracted to the code than would otherwise be under the current strategy?
6. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary (strong local demands for a new club, petitions, letters to the editor, surveys FFS) the answer must be no.
7. O and don't forget this launch will take place in 4 years. As there is absolutely no evidence on the ground that the AFL has commenced work on the project in the west they have three years to get it going in the middle of what will probably be the worst recession since the early eighties in a state economy that is stagnating. Timing is impeccable.

[Wardy]

1. Can you name one artifical corporate club creation that has worked recently? Freo and Port Adelaide don't count as they drew on existing club structures.
2. John O'Neill would be perfect to captian this Titanic. The A League is not just technically bankrupt it is bankrupt. And the RU attempt to create "super" intra city clubs has just sank like a stone.
3. If the Razorbacks (pig on a spit) example is inappropriate give us one that has worked.
4. Yes the AFL will pour millions (tens? hundred?? hundreds???) into this venture in a region that is yet to produce one AFL footballer of note ( I say Bevo qualifies but most here don't agree) but is it in the best interests of the code in NSW and Sydney? Thats the real issue not whether it will attract more people to the code. More people are being attracted to code by the good work done by the Bloods, the sheer incompetence of RL club administration (eg Bullies and Panthers) and the natural superiority of our code.
5. The real issue is will more people be attracted to the code than would otherwise be under the current strategy?
6. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary (strong local demands for a new club, petitions, letters to the editor, surveys FFS) the answer must be no.
7. O and don't forget this launch will take place in 4 years. As there is absolutely no evidence on the ground that the AFL has commenced work on the project in the west they have three years to get it going in the middle of what will probably be the worst recession since the early eighties in a state economy that is stagnating. Timing is impeccable.

Oh and you have access to all the data the AFL has and have been a part of the planning process? get your head out of the sand - its business, and its change - get with the times.

[connolly]

Oh and you have access to all the data the AFL has and have been a part of the planning process? get your head out of the sand - its business, and its change - get with the times.

Mate with that corporate mantra that has sent so many industries and companies to the bottom (car industry, One Tel etc etc)I take your answers to be:
1. No
2. Yes
3. No
4. No (I assume you are not on the Bevo bandwagon of one man and a very reluctant dog)
5. No
6. Yes
7. No

So you agree with me then - its a lemon.

[Wardy]

Mate with that corporate mantra that has sent so many industries and companies to the bottom (car industry, One Tel etc etc)I take your answers to be:
1. No
2. Yes
3. No
4. No (I assume you are not on the Bevo bandwagon of one man and a very reluctant dog)
5. No
6. Yes
7. No

So you agree with me then - its a lemon.

Firstly No I dont agree with you - just like you dont agree with me - so leave it at that shall we.

secondly - please dont call me mate, I dont answer to mate from anyone.

Thirdly - if you have something against people in the corporate sector then so be it, none of us will lose sleep because you dont understand why business's choose to expand and progress.

If you dont want the team in Western Sydney fair enough - I dont have to agree with you, its this typical knee jerk reaction to change that amazes and saddens me.

lastly - dont assume as to what I'm thinking - its big mistake should you try.

[connolly]

Apologies if I caused offence

[Wardy]

Apologies if I caused offence

apology accepted - I shouldnt have got so annoyed with you so I'm sorry too. I'm a person who see's the bigger picture differently to others thats all. (rightly or wongly )

[Old Royboy]

As there is absolutely no evidence on the ground that the AFL has commenced work on the project in the west they have three years to get it going in the middle of what will probably be the worst recession since the early eighties in a state economy that is stagnating. Timing is impeccable.

Can only assume you don't get out west too often. Take a drive from the centre of Penrith and head up the mountains. In quick succession you will see real footy goalposts in Nepean High School, Dukes oval at Emu Plains and Glenbrook Oval. They now play Aussie Rules at St Doms Kingswood, considered to be the strongest RL school in greater Penrith. The locals kids' attitude is changing too, perhaps that is because some of them are now playing the game.

Granted, the most fruitful areas for AFL conversion have thus far been the comfortable and predominately anglo saxon parts of Western Sydney - regions like the Hills and Lower Mountains. Getting a toehold in say Mt Druitt with its big islander population will be extremely difficult.

But there is ample evidence that Aussie Rules is gaining ground out here.

[AnnieH]

What makes me laugh about this is the amount of people on here who are saying, "I won't support them." I have news for you, the AFL don't want you to support them.

That's the idea, to try to gain more new supporters for Aussie rules.

But Rev ... there are people here who said they would support them , i.e. pay good money to go and see the games - money that would go to the coffers of the Blacktown Bogans.

It's wrong I tells ya.