Grassroots gains the best way to fight against AFL incursions

Roy Masters
August 6, 2011


THE smartest comment I have heard anyone in AFL land make these past few years, was an observation from Collingwood president Eddie McGuire when his code poached Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau from rugby league.

McGuire, who spent a couple of challenging years in Sydney running Channel Nine and confronting the city's mentality, warned of NRL retaliation, saying something to the effect: ''If you poke a stick in the eyes of these rugby league blokes, they will come back at you.''

Since that time, an independent commission has been formed to run rugby league, new headquarters established, significant investment made in Sydney's west, and McGuire's network has admitted high NRL ratings mean it must pay substantially more to retain broadcasting rights.

Rugby league chiefs refuse to acknowledge any of these developments are a response to the AFL's establishment of clubs on the Gold Coast and in western Sydney, lest it credit the invaders.

The ARL's Geoff Carr says retaliation puts the AFL in a can't lose position. When he protested at Queensland's selection of Folau in their State of Origin team, despite Folau having already signed with Greater Western Sydney, the AFL boasted Carr's comments earned them millions of dollars in publicity.

If Carr says nothing, he is perceived as weak and not protecting the future of representative football. If he protests, he is providing cheap advertising for the enemy.

The AFL is very good at manufacturing image. It has erected AFL goal posts in western Sydney before it has established teams in a ''build it and they will come'' strategy.

Carr contends rugby league's investment in an academy and development officers in Sydney's west is more coincidence than catalyst to the AFL incursion.

''A lot of it is natural progression,'' he says. He argues that the ARL was forced to fill the space vacated by western Sydney's four NRL clubs - Panthers, Eels, West Tigers and Bulldogs - when grants from their licensed clubs were cut at a time they needed to focus resources on their NRL teams.

Other licensed clubs in the west supporting rugby league, such as St Marys and Cabramatta, have also had profits cut by the smoking bans and poker machine tax hikes.

Throw in a three-decade-long spiral during which government schools have abrogated responsibility for sport, and it means a yearly increase in the number of development officers to fill the void.

Significant progress was made midweek with the trialling of an age/weight division at the 67th All Schools Carnival at Tregear.

Schools within the districts of Western Suburbs, Manly and North Sydney competed in a 14 years under 65 kilogram division.

Essentially, this meant the big 14-year-olds of Polynesian heritage played in the 65kg-plus division, while schools that had never played rugby league before, such as Turramurra High, competed in the lighter division.

It was the first attempt to counter the complaint of many parents that their children are simply too small to tackle the sons of the South Seas. AFL has exploited this, encouraging smaller kids to play their code.

Rugby league numbers must grow exponentially for all schools to have two divisions in all age groups but the Tregear experiment was a start.

Meanwhile, the AFL is performing a stunning impersonation of an ostrich. It has done nothing in response to a virtual admission by sacked Melbourne coach Dean Bailey that he deliberately lost end of season games to win high draft choices in the year before the expansion clubs had a mortgage on the new talent. Nor has the AFL acted against the Giants for flouting its rules in signing a player mid-season.

Giants coach Kevin Sheedy said he knew nothing of the signing of the key Adelaide defender Phil Davis.

Sheedy's acolytes say he is being ''cunning''. Rugby league has a different word for it.

McGuire described it for what it is: ''cheating''.

NRL chief executive David Gallop made a comment at the same time as McGuire's ''stick in the eye'' remark.

Gallop said: ''When the AFL signed Hunt and Folau, I predicted the generous draft and salary cap concessions given the two new clubs would cause havoc with Melbourne clubs.''

''They will have more trouble of their own at home than cause us trouble in our homeland,'' Carr concedes. ''They may have sharpened the stick.''


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/grassroots-gains-the-best-way-to-fight-against-afl-incursions-20110805-1ifch.html#ixzz1UG1mB0XV

[size=6]Todd Carney, Nate Myles and Frank-Paul Nu'uausala stood down immediately and will face Roosters disciplinary committee[/size]

UPDATE 1pm: Todd Carney, Nate Myles and Frank-Paul Nuu'ausala risk having their contracts torn up after being issued with breach notices by the Roosters’ disciplinary committee. The three players have five days to respond to the notices, which were issued after they were photographed leaving the Courthouse Hotel at 2am on Monday

Carney, Myles and Nu’uausala have been stood down from this Sunday’s showdown with the Dragons. Myles has also been axed from the Roosters’ leadership group.

All three will front the club's board next week to explain their actions and argue for their contracts not to be terminated.

Carney, the 2010 Dally M Medallist, was supposed to be on his last warning with the club following previous incidents in a career chequered by off-field behavioural issues.

"He (Carney) will be issued with a breach notice that will cover numerous breaches to the NRL playing contract," said chief executive Steve Noyce after the trio met the club's disciplinary committee on Wednesday.

"He will then, as will all three, be asked to front the board to provide information in relation to those breaches.

"He has the opportunity to come with his manager and a legal representative, you take information from the player, and there's five courses of action available to the club - take no further action, caution the player, suspend the player, fine the player or terminate the contract."

Asked if terminating the contract was a realistic option, Noyce said: "The options are there and I've been honest to say they're the five options that will be considered."

Noyce said he had been aware for some weeks that Carney was consuming alcohol again.

"I'm extremely disappointed as is everyone ... there are so many people that make up this club that will feel really let down and disappointed," Noyce said.

The pressure is only increased by the team's lame on-field performances capped by the 36-8 trashing by Manly last weekend.

"We were embarrassing last weekend over at Brookvale Oval and the players and the club are all committed to turning that around," said Noyce.

"But it's hard to look people in the eye and say you're turning it around when three players choose to be out late at night till three, four o'clock in the morning."

While Carney left the disciplinary committee meeting via a back entrance, Myles - who has been released from the final year of his contract to join Gold Coast in 2012 - was forced to run the gauntlet.

He refused to make comment, with part of his breach notice including drinking while injured, which is forbidden by the club.

Earlier today

Carney’s manager, former player David Riolo, said the troubled Rooster is easily led but that’s no excuse for his night out.

“He is easily led, he is a decent kid … but the bottom line is he is in his mid 20s now,” Riolo told Triple M’s Grill Team this morning.

“Of course he’s remorseful. It’s not about talking, it’s about actions. The talks are all over in that regard.

“The biggest issue for me is that the team made a pact and those boys have broken that pact. It’s a big issue for the playing group and a big issue for the Roosters internally.”

Carney and teammates Nate Myles and Frank-Paul Nu'uausala will front the Roosters’ disciplinary committee this morning – shortly after the senior playing group has met to discuss the trio’s night on the tiles that finished at 2am at the Courthouse Hotel, first reported here yesterday.

There was strong mail this morning that Myles and Carney would be sacked - the Roosters are expected to make a statement later today.

Riolo told The Grill Team’s Matty Johns and Mark Geyer that he had spoken to Carney extensively since news broke of the trio's breach of their teammates' booze ban.

“I spoke to him at 4pm on Monday and he was sober and fine and we arranged to have lunch on Wednesday,” Riolo said.

“Then he’s gone out and I don’t know how I can control that. Todd has issues in his life with alcohol that he has to work through.”

Asked if he thought Carney was an alcoholic, Riolo said he was in no position to make that judgment.

“In my personal opinion I don’t think so,” Riolo said. “But you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work out that whenever Todd Carney has had an issue, alcohol has been involved.”

Riolo said he was unsure if Carney or either of the other two players would be sacked today.

“I don’t know. I’d hope not. The Roosters as a club have been very patient and helpful. He probably repaid them last year, but this year as MG described things have gone from bad to worse.”

Johns said Carney should be stood down, but not sacked, by the club.

“He hasn’t been found guilty of hurling abuse at people, assaulting anyone or public unrest. No he shouldn’t [be sacked],” Johns said.

Geyer continued: “If this was Mitchell Pearce in the same picture, we wouldn’t be talking about it. This year it just seems to have gone from bad to worse for the bloke [Carney]”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/todd-carneys-manager-david-riolo-says-the-nrl-star-is-easily-led-but-thats-no-excuse-for-booze-ban-breach/story-e6frexnr-1226112180086

Forty-four reasons the NRL should be worried

BRAD WALTER
13 Aug, 2011 12:08 AM

BUILD it and they will come.


That is the philosophy of the AFL in its bid to rival league in western Sydney.


The Herald yesterday visited some of the 44 AFL ovals established in greater western Sydney since the formation of the GWS Giants and the fact they are now in so many suburbs should be a concern to NRL officials.


Councils and schools seem only too willing to accept the AFL's offer of free posts and money to install them - regardless of demand. Other codes aren't as generous.


Eventually it is hoped the playing numbers will grow large enough to utilise the grounds but even if they don't there will be fewer fields for children to play league, rugby union and football.


A Football Federation Australia official told the Herald that thousands of children in Melbourne were being turned away from playing football as there weren't enough grounds - forcing many of them to turn to AFL.


The AFL may be copping criticism over lopsided scorelines this season, but when you see what they are doing in western Sydney it is clear their strategy is long term.


Fly over Campbelltown and you will see AFL posts sprouting out of the ground everywhere - and it is the same in Penrith, the Hills District and Liverpool.


However, the AFL's approach is subtle and apart from the massive complex at Blacktown Olympic Park, where GWS train, it is only when you see a well-kept AFL oval, such as the one at Tregear's Whalan Reserve, that you realise the groundwork the code is doing to ensure the success of GWS.


It is an investment in the future as it is the hearts, minds and wallets of the next generation that the AFL is after - not their parents, who are likely to be Panthers, Eels, Tigers or Bulldogs fans.


At the same time, GWS officials have been courting politicians, local business leaders, school teachers and the media as they prepare for the team's entry to the AFL next season.


The club's major sponsor, Skoda, recently took some journalists to Europe for the Tour de France, while a group of school principals were entertained at June's Swans-Collingwood match.


Many of them were from private schools, such as St Dominic's at Penrith, which produced the likes of Brad Fittler, Des Hasler, Tim Sheens and Greg Alexander but has now embraced AFL.


So how concerned should league officials be?


The Herald did not see any giant billboards of Israel Folau while driving around western Sydney yesterday, but neither were there billboards using the likes of Benji Marshall to promote the NRL.


Without a team playing this season, GWS coach Kevin Sheedy and his players have had plenty of time to promote the club and the code.


League's efforts have not been co-ordinated due to the amount of bodies responsible for running different sections of the game.


The independent commission may change that.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/sport/fortyfour-reasons-the-nrl-should-be-worried/2257369.aspx?storypage=0

:lol: Dragons.

Businessmen out, public in as Broncos' shares up for sale

Tony Moore
August 18, 2011 - 2:13PM


Two of the three largest "minority" shareholders in the Brisbane Broncos have finally decided to sell some of their shares to "mum and dad" investors.

From next week, one thousand $1000 share offers will be available to the public for the first time.

That would give a buyer about 3500 shares at today's price of 28 cents a share.

Tony Scanlon, who runs the printing business PXBX, owns 11 per cent of the Brisbane Broncos Limited.

Craig Davison, now spearheading the bid team for Brisbane's second NRL team, the Brisbane Bombers, owns about round 4 per cent.

Both have decided to sell their shares.

The pair with fellow Brisbane Thoroughbred member John Geaney, who owns about 10 per cent of the Broncos, have been trying to sell their collective 24.5 stake in the club since February.

News Limited, owner of The Courier-Mail, owns about 68 per cent of the Brisbane Broncos Limited.

That means around 93 per cent of the Brisbane Broncos Limited has been owned by four people and opportunities to buy into the publicly-listed club have been restricted.

Since February, the three businessmen have been trying to sell their Broncos shares after being thwarted in attempts to buy a controlling share in the profitable rugby league club.

The Brisbane Broncos Limited half-yearly results, released on August 9, show the club had increased its 2011 half-yearly profits from $732,655 (2010) to $1,169,068 by June 2011, despite gate takings dropping 6.5 per cent.

Average crowd numbers for Broncos' home games have dropped from 32,665 (2010) to 30,073 in 2011.

This morning, Tony Scanlon confirmed he and Craig Davison were selling their shares.

"Craig and I are certainly selling our shares," Mr Scanlon said.

"I've got about 11 per cent and Craig has about three per cent, so that takes it to around the 14 per cent number."

Mr Scanlon said John Geaney would sell his shares, but only as a group share offer of 24.5 per cent.

"John will sell his shares if we can sell them in one line, so if there was one person who wanted to buy the whole parcel we would be able to do that.

"But we have been unable to find a buyer for that at this point, so Craig and I are going to put ours on and offer them to the mum's and dad's and Broncos' fans.

"That gives them the ability not only to be a fan, but also to have some true ownership of the Brisbane Broncos Limited."

In April, the trio were trying to interest an un-named Queensland millionaire into buying their 24.5 per cent of the Broncos.

Craig Davison said a number of potential buyers had decided against taking the shares.

"So we thought the Broncos' fans might be interested in them," he said.

He said that was the size of first parcel in the share package.

Tony Scanlon confirmed a Queenslander "was still interested" in buying the shares as one parcel, but would reveal his identity.

"That's true, but we have decided to put them on the market and give everybody the opportunity."

However he said the 1000, $1000 share package was an authentic offer to Broncos' fans.

"It is an authentic offer. If a mum or dad investor comes in and wants to spend $1000, or $2000, or $5000 we will sell them the shares," Mr Scanlon said.

Mr Scanlon said he had no ties to the new Brisbane Bombers NRL club.

"I don't have any attachment to the Bombers. My affiliation and my loyalties are to the Broncos and that won't change regardless of the share selling."

Mr Scanlon said since April, he and Craig Davison had decided to sell down their shares.

"Previously we were unsure, but now we're 100 per cent. So what has changed is the certainty, we are selling our shares," he said.

Since April, shares in the Brisbane Broncos Limited have closed lower at 28 per cents a share, where they have traded since August 8th.

The formal sale offer is being managed by Brisbane corporate advisory firm, Scancorp, who have co-ordinated the approach to the un-named millionaire earlier this year.

Scancorp director Marcus Salouk said they would take registrations of interest before the share offer campaign launch - with television, radio and print advertising - at the end of August.

He said few people realised that the Brisbane Broncos was the only sporting club listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, because its ownership was so tightly controlled.

New Limited has consistently said it was not interested in reducing its stake in the Broncos.


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/businessmen-out-public-in-as-broncos-shares-up-for-sale-20110818-1izh3.html#ixzz1VN04VNQK

Raiders Army retreats

BY CHRIS DUTTON
23 Aug, 2011 10:15 AM

On the eve of the Canberra Raiders’ 30th anniversary, the celebrations have been soured by news the clubs group of most loyal supporters has decided to disband at the end of the NRL season.

The Raiders Army will cease existence when the team plays its last game of the year against the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney in two weeks.


It’s another disappointing blow for the Raiders after their dismal season on the field.


The Raiders are in a battle to avoid the wooden spoon and have failed to fire for their fans this season.


Supporters have voiced some displeasure at the way the club has struggled and an email sent to Raiders Army members this morning said declining numbers this year was the major reason for ending its longstanding relationship.

The Raiders Army has been following the Green Machines since 2002 and occupied Bay 72 at Canberra Stadium for all home games.


The group has also followed the club around the country.


The Raiders have organised a barbecue on Thursday for Army members.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/raiders-army-retreats/2267347.aspx

Melbourne Storm live TV hopes unreal

Russell Gould From: Herald Sun August 25, 2011

THE next NRL TV rights deal won't fully solve the problem of horrible home-town coverage for Melbourne Storm, with regular live free-to-air telecasts considered highly unrealistic.

There's an increasing frustration among Storm fans, the club and even the NRL that the competition's benchmark team has been relegated to the graveyard shift on consecutive Friday nights, despite both being blockbuster games, includingFriday night's clash with second-placed Manly.

The club has directed angry fans to start an online campaign against Channel 9, its angst increased with revelations last week's win over St George Illawarra was the second highest rating regular season NRL game in history, attracting 1.44 million viewers.

Despite that appetite for Storm games, both the NRL and leading media buyer Harold Mitchell said live or even near-live coverage of all games on free-to-air in Melbourne could not be argued for inclusion in the next TV rights deal, which starts in 2013.

Mitchell said all parties had to be realistic about what they were willing to accept and permanent live coverage of Storm games in Melbourne was not.

Instead, he said the NRL needed to urge whichever free-to-air network got the rights to explore the flexibility in its digital channels and also to temper the expectations of clubs, like Storm, which wanted their needs met.

"They have to work on that flexibility rather than try for the impossible, which just won't be done. If you try and make too many demands of the network, you won't get anywhere," Mitchell said.

"The high watermark is the AFL, and they achieved their result with a great sense of co-operation with their media partner."

The NRL wants better coverage in Melbourne but won't push for a fixed scheduling policy for Storm games knowing that could reduce its bargaining power.

And the league doesn't want to force games into the Melbourne market fearing the "Iron Chef factor", which saw AFL games shown live in Sydney smashed in the ratings by the SBS cooking show, creating negative press for the code's growth there.

NRL spokesman John Brady said the league would make better scheduling in Melbourne a priority.

"There's no doubt everyone in the game would like to see an improvement in the situation in Melbourne.

"At this stage it's hard to quantify what that would be, and that becomes part of the negotiation.

"Everyone has to be realistic with the outcome," Brady said.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/melbourne-storm-live-tv-hopes-unreal/story-e6frfgbo-1226121529187

Lockyer opens lid on Broncos
Posted August 26, 2011 18:19:27

Rugby league great Darren Lockyer believes Super League spoiled the sport and the Broncos botched their handling of coaches Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy.

The retiring Test captain lifts the lid on some of league's best guarded secrets in his autobiography to be released on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old made his debut two seasons before the split competitions of 1997 but just as the Super League war between News Limited and the Australian Rugby League was erupting.

Lockyer says, with the benefit of hindsight, he would have thought twice about signing with Super League.

"I am fairly confident that if the same offer was made to me today I would strongly oppose any action or movement which even had the potential to result in a situation where clubs might end up splitting from the main competition," he writes.

"Having said that, given my club had aligned itself with Super League it would have been difficult not to support that in reality."

Lockyer's comments pertinently come amid reports that league's new independent commission continues to be stalled by negotiations over a non-compete clause to prevent News starting a rival competition.

"For all the good intentions of the men responsible for Super League, and there is no doubt there was merit in their criticism of the ARL ... the fact is, the end result was the game of rugby league and the NRL brand suffered damage so significant that its impact continues to haunt the NRL in 2011."

Lockyer lamented Brisbane's treatment of his mentor Bennett, the club's legendary coach of 21 years who delivered six titles to the Broncos before leaving in 2008 and winning the 2010 premiership with St George Illawarra.

"What he has done since his departure has, in my mind, ended any lingering doubts anyone may have had about his position atop the list of the game's greatest coaches," the Brisbane skipper wrote.

"He is it. End of discussion.

"Wayne's leaving, to me, was a tragedy.

"From top to bottom it was handled badly and there is no question he deserved better than he got, that is both off the field and on it.

"As always, though, Wayne did the best with the cards he was dealt and proved a lot of people wrong."

Lockyer suggested some ill-timed words from a Broncos official may have ruined any chance of former Bennett assistant Bellamy taking the top job from 2009, the year the Melbourne boss won a second grand final.

"To this day I am still not sure where it all went wrong, because as I understood things, the Bellyache (Bellamy) to Brisbane deal was done," Lockyer writes.

"In early April the word I was being told was it was all over bar the shouting and that Craig was just being careful with managing his exit from Melbourne.

"What sparked the about face which saw him sign a five-year extension to remain at the Storm on April 17, I am still unsure.

"I have heard Craig was upset with the way he was spoken to by one Broncos official involved in the interview process and reportedly being given an ultimatum about how and when things would be announced."

AAP

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-26/lockyer-opens-lid-on-broncos/2857716

Fight night a black eye for code

Brent Read From: The Australian August 27, 2011

AFTER 80 absorbing and sometimes violent minutes at Brookvale Oval last night, the result scarcely mattered.

In coming days, the major talking point will be the brawl that marred an otherwise enthralling spectacle, leading to the send-off of two players and casting a shadow over the immediate playing future of several others with the finals fast approaching.

Melbourne and Manly players have shared an antipathy stemming back to a pair of grand-final appearances in 2007 and 2008, but they took their mutual loathing to new heights last night. Storm forward Adam Blair and Manly's Glenn Stewart were the instigators of the wild melee that soured the opening half and are in danger of being suspended for the opening week of the finals after coming to blows twice, the second time as both were making their way to the sin-bin.

The incident revived memories of the infamous Greg Dowling-Kevin Tamati stoush in a Test in 1985, when the pair traded blows on the sideline. On this occasion, the fight between Blair and Stewart started in the field of play but spilled on to the sidelines as players from both sides raced in to become involved.

The supporters who jammed the eastern side of the ground lapped it up, unlike referee Shayne Hayne. After Blair and Stewart eventually regained their feet and started heading for the tunnel to serve their time in the sin-bin, Hayne called them back to send them both from the field for the remainder of the game. Both are expected to be sent to the judiciary with an ungraded charge.

Hayne also placed the entire incident on report, effectively leaving the match review committee to investigate the actions of every player in the game given they all appeared to get involved. There were even claims players came off the respective interchange benches to take part - Storm back Sisa Waqa is likely to come under the microscope - although they appeared to be trying to defuse the situation rather than inflame it.

"It certainly wasn't a good look for our game, I imagine," Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said.

"There were a few things going on in different places. I knew they got sent to the sin-bin and your eyes are back on the game. I certainly didn't think that was going to happen. I don't think anyone thought that would happen.

"I certainly didn't see how it started. I was watching the game. I think it's a bit out of character for both of them.

"They're both really good footy players, they're skilful, they have played for their country."

Manly coach Des Hasler added: "No one expected that, did they? (It was) uncharacteristic of probably both players that were involved in the incident. We will let the process take care of it and I am pretty sure they will deal with it competently."

The incident occurred in full view of NRL chief executive David Gallop, whose relationship with players and officials from both sides had been the subject of much discussion in the lead-up to last night. Gallop, attending his first game at Brookvale Oval this year, was clearly unimpressed, saying: "Protracted fighting is absolutely not on, but it's important we leave it to the match review committee to deal with in the proper manner."

Glenn Stewart's brother Brett is likely to come in for particular attention as he raced in to help his brother, although that appears the least of his concerns as he did not return for the second half, with medial ligament damage in a knee.

Winger David Williams, making his 50th first-grade appearance, is also under an injury cloud as he was taken from the field on a stretcher in the opening half with his neck in a brace after complaining of pins and needles.

The game exploded after an innocuous elbow from Melbourne utility Ryan Hinchcliffe earned the ire of Manly forward Darcy Lussick. As Hinchcliffe and Lussick came to blows, Blair and Stewart joined in. They were sent to the sin-bin for their part in the initial brawl.

As they made their way off the field, they exchanged words and then blows. Stewart appeared to react to something that was said. What happened next was pure mayhem. The biggest game of the year produced the biggest brawl in recent memory. When the match settled down, it was Manly who settled the better. The Sea Eagles were already leading 6-0 and by full-time Manly had kept alive its flickering hopes of usurping Melbourne for the minor premiership by keeping Storm to one try.

Manly 18 (T Williams 2 K Foran tries; J Lyon 3 goals)
Melbourne 4 (B Slater try) at Brookvale Oval. Referee: Gavin Badger, Shayne Hayne. Crowd: 20,414.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/fight-night-a-black-eye-for-code/story-e6frg7mf-1226123225133

It was an awesome fight though lol.

I don't think the biff is the issue. It is the way that the benches were emptied, players running in from 50 + metres away.
I would hate to think what would have went down if Sam "Third Man In" Thaiday was playing

Battle of codes in Sydney's west a numbers game

IN THE HEARTLAND: Tom Dusevic, National chief reporter From: The Australian August 27, 2011

THE Orange army has 10,000 foundation members. What's that, a country-town militia? A convoy of citrus trucks? A rangas' revolt to protect their besieged queen?

No, it's the support group for the AFL's 18th franchise, Greater Western Sydney. The Giants, which enter the premiership next year, are celebrating the membership milestone on Saturday at the club's final home game (in a second-tier comp) at Blacktown International Sportspark.

In rugby league's traditional homeland, the AFL goliath, with money bags and balls, is on the prowl. Yet, like the Soviets rolling into Afghanistan, they may find this is inhospitable territory for infidels.

Guided by footy shaman Kevin Sheedy and power suit Andrew Demetriou, the national game is trying to establish another shiny presence in the city. Not next year, or in five years, but perhaps by the time boys born this year are entering the AFL draft. The long game. Still, this initial strike into their heartland has caused leagies to worry aloud that the game's custodians have become complacent; some are forlornly tallying the sprouting of Aussie rules posts in suburban parks this winter, others are much more fearful of a slow annexation of grounds by an AFL that is adept at charming councils with new floodlights, PA systems, changing rooms and scoreboards.

Some of the most strident anti-AFL sprays you hear are from league's volunteers: junior coaches and club officials. And while they begrudge the AFL's dollars, they also despair at what they regard is a lack of grassroots nurturing by their own hierarchy.

"The NRL hasn't done anything new in five years for junior league," coach Tony Bignold says from Sydney's inner west, where there's intense competition for players among codes and between club and school.

"There's no money for this. There's no money for that. There's just no money. It's all you ever hear from the clubs," says Bignold, Balmain Police Community Youth Club stalwart, who puts the interests of children before tribal loyalties. On Thursday evening, he conducted a one-off training session in tackling skills for a local under-12 AFL team on the eve of its preliminary final.

NRL boss David Gallop says junior league "is in very good health . . . Growth rates [in participation] are quite staggering. That's not to say that there aren't things that could be done to improve our position at grassroots level."

According to NRL development director Andrew Hill (back in the fold after a stint at the AFL), the number of registered juniors in western Sydney is 23,000. About 3200 are kicking the Sherrin in organised AFL in the area.

Gallop is excited by the changes to the game's administration (a new commission is almost here) and the push to more centralised branding that other football codes have established: "One of the things that we look at as a goal is that seven-year-olds can be wearing a logo that they will see on Darren Lockyer's jersey when he is playing for Australia."

The NRL's growth strategy is to give children a chance to play and to use its elite players as an inspiration. There have been some huge NRL scandals in recent times but the game keeps sending its marquee players out into the community to promote literacy, nutrition and indigenous health.

At midday on Thursday Gallop was at Macquarie University, in the middle of sprawling Sydney, to watch boys and girls in years 7 and 8 competing in the finals of the statewide Captain's Cup series for non-elite rugby league schools. The rules are modified, the game is played in seven-minute halves, pop music blares when a team scores. Gallop is recognised by some keen boys and in a flash he's being asked to autograph T-shirts.

"The game at junior level is very inclusive," Gallop says, surveying the play from a high vantage point. "Every kid gets a fair go. It's very safe because of the modifications to the rules. Whereas when you turn on the game on a Friday night, people enjoy what is a very brutal contest, physically.

"Nothing beats this sport in its ability to provide a simple, physical, non-discriminatory sporting opportunity for kids. Look at the shapes and sizes, different sexes, different heritages that are out on the field, then you know that this is a sport that's providing for a lot of people and a lot of people feel they can belong in this sport."

It's a day away from school for teens, so the mood is fun. Games are played in a good spirit and a few legends are on hand for pics. At the end of the grand finals (won by the speedy boys of Muswellbrook High and the awesome girls of Bass High), organisers pumped out on the PA Tina Turner's ancient league anthem, Simply the Best.

Getting and keeping the best young talent is the game between Gallop and Demetriou, and all the others. The NRL chief draws on the words of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. "You only have to do three things to be successful in life: get up early, work hard and find oil. And for us, oil is seven-year-old kids: playing rugby league, developing a love of the game and that they spread that through their families."

Gallop says the AFL's push is a reminder of the competitive nature of drilling for oil.

"But I'm a firm believer that sports are often a generational issue for people. So, we can legitimately lay claim to having three generations of families deeply embedded in our game. Literally an army of volunteers, who are there to watch their grandkids, their kids, their nieces, their nephews," he says.

"That kind of generational embeddedness, if that's a word, is a pretty hard thing to try and rust off. The game is pretty rusted on in western Sydney and that's why I think we need to be confident about our continued dominance in western Sydney."

Gallop says he isn't afraid of the competition.

"We all want to turn those casual fans into avid fans who can't miss a game, buy the merchandise, follow the roller-coaster of the game with their hands gripped tightly to the carriage. We love people who only love rugby league.

"We like people who follow us a bit, but we work hard at converting people from a casual interest to an avid interest," he says.

Making tough calls "without fear or favour" when his clan messes up is Gallop's custodial duty. Get that right, keep the "foundation stone" strong, he says and the crowds, television ratings and participation will flow the right way and stop the AFL marauders in their tracks.
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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opinion/battle-of-codes-in-sydneys-west-a-numbers-game/story-e6frgd0x-1226123168714

Lol People in Western Sydney couldn't give a flying fuck about AFL.