If an NRL player was going to convert....

[Reggi]

Slight exaggeration. Read an interview in relation to Hunt with a fitness expert and he didn't think it would be much of an issue. As he builds endurance he'll naturally drop a lot of bulk, which will help his running, plus professional athletes are all good trainers and know what's required.

I have understood, most AFL players take 4-5 pre seasons to build up the fitness required so it must be some issue?

[hammo]

I have understood, most AFL players take 4-5 pre seasons to build up the fitness required so it must be some issue?

For 18 year olds fresh out of school maybe. But it didn't really apply to Daniel Rich this year or Cyril Rioli last year for example.

I would guarantee that NRL players are fitter than Canadian rugby players and few seem to question Pyke's physical prowess, regardless of what we may say about his skills. He's also about the same age as Hunt and the others mentioned such as Inglis who have several seasons of training at an elite level under their belt.

[Reggi]

For 18 year olds fresh out of school maybe. But it didn't really apply to Daniel Rich this year or Cyril Rioli last year for example.

I would guarantee that NRL players are fitter than Canadian rugby players and few seem to question Pyke's physical prowess, regardless of what we may say about his skills. He's also about the same age as Hunt and the others mentioned such as Inglis who have several seasons of training at an elite level under their belt.

I have this thread back to front

Is there a player out there in the NRL with Paul Kelly's speed, tenacity (and marking), Brett Kirk's tackling, Nick Fosdike's endurance and Greg William's skills?

Cause if we could have one of those it would be handy

[Triple B]

Is there a player out there in the NRL with Paul Kelly's speed, tenacity (and marking), Brett Kirk's tackling, Nick Fosdike's endurance and Greg William's skills?

I'm not sure there is more than a handful of those in AFL ranks, let alone NRL.

[goswannie14]

Israel Folau would play AFL easily and be a star.

[Claret]

Israel Folau would play AFL easily and be a star.

It's just a shame that the game of Australian Rules football involves actually kicking the ball every now and then. Apart from that, I agree.

Greg Inglis for mine.

As for the rumour, there was a recent article written by Roy Masters in the Fairfax papers in which he referred to the imminent announcement of another defection.

[sWAns63]

Jarryd Hayne is the best attacking NRL player going around and would be the best convert.

[Mr Magoo]

Darren Lockyer when he was at his peak as he already could kick properly , he is evasive and reads the game well

[Reggi]

As for the rumour, there was a recent article written by Roy Masters in the Fairfax papers in which he referred to the imminent announcement of another defection.

As always rumour is it is us.

Doesn't sound like there are many players to get excited about though, going from responses

[Primmy]

I had forgotten the Jack/Roberts incident. Both of them absolute guns. Puts paid to Can't play if You Are Gay crap. That was a big incident.

Interesting thread. Body types different in general. Young Mortimer could have been a prospect. Not likely, mind you, but we did get Keiran Jack, so.... Possibly the Pearce kid from Roosters. Long and lean looking.

However, cannot see it happening more than once in a blue moon. The 4 major codes all have different types playing.

Could an AFL player make a rugby union/league team?
BBB yes. No, not many.

[dimelb]

Andrew Johns had the smarts to be a good in and under midfielder. The difference between AFL and NRL is the fitness level required. A NRL player at peak fitnes, would be good for about 10 minutes of top grade AFL, so straight away were talking about a 90% increase in fitness. If Mike Hunt starts training now, in three or four pre seasons he should be ready. Inglis is taller, and could be a KPP, whereas Hunt is going to tried out as a midfielder or at best a running halfback. These guys are usually talented at most sports involving a ball (or two), so I don't think the skills will be that big a problem, they'll learn them in the time it takes to ge fit enough to play. Billy later would make a midfielder in the Chris Judd vein, hard to tackle, same as Hayne. Slater is faster, but the ability to run the distance consistantly over 100 minutes? Big question

As always with these comparisons, the question is fitness for what? A top flight triathloner would be one of the fittest people around in terms of aerobic endurance, but would last about one tackle in an NRL team. There the fitness is measured in terms of a capacity to take punishment and maintain power and pace. As others have mentioned, muscle bulk is the trade-off for staying power and, to some extent, speed. Barry Hall is one of the relatively few who is quick off the mark (I think probably the quickest at the Swans) with plenty of muscle bulk; he would have made a great RL or RU centre.

[hammo]

Any of the elite ball playing rugby league players would probably be top AFL players had they grown up in Victoria, SA or WA just as Buddy Franklin, for example, would be a gun league centre or full back had he grown up in Qld or NSW.

[View from stand]

As for the rumour, there was a recent article written by Roy Masters in the Fairfax papers in which he referred to the imminent announcement of another defection.

Yeah that was the article where he added $40m + 10m + 10m and got 65m.

Also where he talked about NSW Treasury staff being entertained at the AFL GF, and drew a link with a $500k subsidy for the NRL GF. The link between these ecaped me.

In summary, possibly a less than reliable source.

[Triple B]

Any of the elite ball playing rugby league players would probably be top AFL players had they grown up in Victoria, SA or WA just as Buddy Franklin, for example, would be a gun league centre or full back had he grown up in Qld or NSW.

Agree 100%

[hot potato]

Fooii Foooi Moi Moi would be good, I'd just just like see what Cometti would make of it

HP