SYDNEY MEDIA

[Hotpotato]

Well it’s time for us to write to the SMH and ask what has happened to their AFL coverage ?
It’s just vanished without trace.

[Kumarangk]

Well.....that's not the only reason....

Oh yes sorry , Rugby League is played in half a dozen other countries and you can represent your country in your sport.

[Bloods05]

Oh yes sorry , Rugby League is played in half a dozen other countries and you can represent your country in your sport.

Yeah, not quite what I meant, as you know. By any objective measure, it doesn't come close to matching the spectacle of Australian Rules, either on television or in the flesh. Neither does soccer, American football, or any other code. The global spread of soccer and the rugby codes has more to do with empire than any intrinsic virtues of the games themselves.

I'm happy to live and let live, I'm sure there's a place for all sorts of games, but Australian football stands alone. And one glorious day in a far-off utopian future, the rest of the world will catch up.

[Kumarangk]

Yeah, not quite what I meant, as you know. By any objective measure, it doesn't come close to matching the spectacle of Australian Rules, either on television or in the flesh. Neither does soccer, American football, or any other code. The global spread of soccer and the rugby codes has more to do with empire than any intrinsic virtues of the games themselves.

I'm happy to live and let live, I'm sure there's a place for all sorts of games, but Australian football stands alone. And one glorious day in a far-off utopian future, the rest of the world will catch up.

I know what you meant Blood just being cheeky ! Winter sport in Australia is the toughest market to crack due to 4 sports ( 5 if you count emerging Netball ) vying for the corporate dollar. Most countries have 2 max. AFL have done a fantastic job of nationalising the code but lack of exposure in Sydney is akin to what is happening in Melbourne with League. I agree that there is room for both codes but to get back to the original point the well heled establishment in both Sydney & Melbourne are still having their influence.

[Mr Magoo]

I know what you meant Blood just being cheeky ! Winter sport in Australia is the toughest market to crack due to 4 sports ( 5 if you count emerging Netball ) vying for the corporate dollar. Most countries have 2 max. AFL have done a fantastic job of nationalising the code but lack of exposure in Sydney is akin to what is happening in Melbourne with League. I agree that there is room for both codes but to get back to the original point the well heled establishment in both Sydney & Melbourne are still having their influence.

The "well heeled" in Sydney do not follow Rugby League - they are all union fans in the main , hence the attempt to keep it mainstream despite its flagging support.

I think its moreso just a matter of numbers , Rugby League is easily the most followed game in wider Sydney at an elite level. Most of my mates could hardly name a swans player outside of Franklin.

If owned/ran a newspaper , Im hardly going to devote a lot of paper space to a sport that probably is the first sport of 20% of people ( at most) in Sydney.

Personally , I think AFL outdoes all the others both as a TV sport and live but especially live. Rugby league is quite disappointing live as whenever ive been , it seems spectators spend much of their energy moaning for penalties rather than cheering for their team.

[bandwagon]

Rugby league is quite disappointing live as whenever ive been , it seems spectators spend much of their energy moaning for penalties rather than cheering for their team.

So, rather like an Eagles home game then?

[Bloods05]

So, rather like an Eagles home game then?

????????

[barry]

Who reads old media these days anyway? Certainly, not many under 30.

I'm hopeful of the 10/paramount+ deal for the next TV rights.

[Bloods05]

Who reads old media these days anyway? Certainly, not many under 30.

I'm hopeful of the 10/paramount+ deal for the next TV rights.

What media do you read, Barry?

[KTigers]

I know what you meant Blood just being cheeky ! Winter sport in Australia is the toughest market to crack due to 4 sports ( 5 if you count emerging Netball ) vying for the corporate dollar. Most countries have 2 max. AFL have done a fantastic job of nationalising the code but lack of exposure in Sydney is akin to what is happening in Melbourne with League. I agree that there is room for both codes but to get back to the original point the well heled establishment in both Sydney & Melbourne are still having their influence.

I suspect Australia's small population is the main reason there aren't enough fans and money to go around.

[neilfws]

Who reads old media these days anyway? Certainly, not many under 30.

I'm hopeful of the 10/paramount+ deal for the next TV rights.

I know what you mean Barry, the way that Nine Publishing are set up online there is essentially no difference between AFL at the SMH versus AFL at The Age. I wonder how many people subscribe to print copies these days? And then there are those copies lying around in cafes.

I know very little about Paramount+ but if a new deal means the end of the C7 commentary team (ladies excepted of course), I am all for it.

[barry]

I know what you mean Barry, the way that Nine Publishing are set up online there is essentially no difference between AFL at the SMH versus AFL at The Age. I wonder how many people subscribe to print copies these days? And then there are those copies lying around in cafes.

I know very little about Paramount+ but if a new deal means the end of the C7 commentary team (ladies excepted of course), I am all for it.

Imagine a world without Ling, Darcy and if foxtel lose it, Dwayne Russell.

The upside is huge.

- - - Updated - - -

What media do you read, Barry?

I haven't read print media for years now. And I certainly don't go to smh.com.au or news.com.au for footy news (of any code)

[Bloods05]

I haven't read print media for years now. And I certainly don't go to smh.com.au or news.com.au for footy news (of any code)

Yes, but what DO you read?

[lwjoyner]

another blow for us supporters who use fox. more money for us to pay. soccer has done the same and i know it has lost viewers.

[barry]

Yes, but what DO you read?

RWO

- - - Updated - - -

another blow for us supporters who use fox. more money for us to pay. soccer has done the same and i know it has lost viewers.

Save your money and don't subscribe to fox.

The trend is to more fragmented subscription services, away from the pay TV monopolies.