Afl media and the afl as a whole are very insular. They are the big fish in a small pond. 

What a joke. 

David Koch, nuff said.

Good to sink the boot in them for a change 

“But their [AFL] international promotion strategy comes across as very insular and backward“ .... that’s the way they do it in Australia too lol

Sometimes you must wonder what's it like to live in AFL heartland!!!!

It's mind-numbing, Dustin Martin getting a two week ban is the third leading story on the news. 

Yep. Tomorrow in the papers itll be dusty on the first page.but in saying that the vegan protests will probably fill the papers 

Not in Sydney its not.

Be glad you don't live in Victoria  or the southern states . I love footy but saturation  of afl here is mind numbing

Whose Dustin Martin? Haha don’t really care and it was a waste of effort typing this.

Funny but honest read about football and AFL in China. Basketball is king there...

Is basketball more popular then football there?

I wouldn’t compare us against Table Tennis or Badmington but Basketball is definitely up there although Football isn’t far behind.

https://www.saporedicina.com/english/most-popular-sports-in-china/

From my perspective, I hate it!

This would go closest to the dumbest non-story 442 have ever run.  

Agreed. Devoid of any substance, interest or intelligence. 

If they wanted to go anywhere near this angle there would be a much bigger story/slap in the face to the AFL. 

nah i disagree. this type of mind numbing bullshit needs to be called out for what it is... cringeworthy propaganda

yeah sure, but there is way better angles then getting some expat nobody to throw his two cents in 

That was my point.  Who is this bloke they're quoting?

I could ask a dozen of my mates that still live in Singapore from when I was there about croquet and their opinion of the inroads it's making into Asia.

But how or why is that even relevant enough to then whack it up as a lead story on Croquet.com.au?

Kochie was roundly roasted on Twitter and showed how much of a self-involved dumbass he is...again.

Nothing to see here.

smell the fear

You have to hand it to the AFL, the way they re-write history is amazing.  According to the navel gazing AFL knuckle draggers, AFL was the sport played by ANZACs in WWI (you'll see the photos doing the rounds shortly) and now the western sport of choice for the Chinese.  The culture, the tradition.......

There's even a story doing the rounds that there was a chinese footy league in Ballarat in the 1890s

Whereas the reality of AFL (VFL) in WW1 and ANZACs is...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1916_VFL_season#Impact_of_the_war

While the VFL continued, 450 of the 500 players in the Victorian association football league went to the war, many never to return, many more returning in no condition to play again. A generation of players and clubs were lost to the war, and nobody knows how different the sporting landscape would be otherwise.

The disgusting thing about that, is that the AFL portray themselves as the "brave, dinkum, digger, traditional" sport whilst football is portrayed as as the "foreigners'" game that undermines "Aussie" values.  Hate the AFL with a passion.

AFL rots your brain. Fact.  

Just came across this on Twitter:

AFL, Kennedy enter China partnership to progress the game

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-04-14/afl-kennedy-enter-china-partnership-to-progress-the-game

Not sure what it's worth but does anyone know if this brand is well known?  (personally, I've never heard of it).
Why would these companies sink their money into this when we have A-League clubs palying against the biggest football clubs in China on an annual basis in a serious competition?

I've not heard of the brand either, but as to "Why?"...

I dare say he's an AFL diehard who's willing and able to put money into the venture. Probably excited at the idea of getting to see his company's name in lights (so to speak) in another country, getting to take a few clients/staff on a junket to China and getting to hobnob with the AFL bigwigs along the way.

No harm in it, it's his (company's) cash to spend, and we all know the AFL is more than happy to spend other people's money..

even if local fans attend this year's match how the hell are you going to explain all the rules changes? 

it's only an issue if they knew the old rules!

Or if there are any local fans

I used to think they were just being facetious but it’s become apparent that many AFL fans sincerely think that AFL is truly a global game and the centre of the sporting world. 

As a 5-12 year old kid growing up in Victoria I certainly did. The way the AFL has been essentially everything in media in Victoria for a long time contributes to that but really grown adults should know better.

I'm from Queensland and I just....I can't understand. I don't hate their attempts to grow, it's a natural impulse, I'm just completely and totally baffled by their belief that this will work. I get that if you grow up with the game and understand it, their would be enjoyment, as there would be with any game, but watching it is like watching kids play a made up game in primary school. Even at a professional level, it's such a messy unsatisfying game to watch. 

You'd think that their failure to convince a sizeable portion of Australians to enjoy the game, despite the fact that it has 'Australia' in the name, convincing another country with not even passing knowledge of the sport's existence would seem a bridge too far.

Even if you were going to spread overseas, India and New Zealand seem far better options considering the availability of cricket pitches and a common language.

They already tried India, New Zealand and even South Africa, with their #mastermind Kevin Sheedy always leading the charge saying this country is the one. Turns out every time, the local people in those countries also think it's shit.

I think the only cricket playing region they haven't tried is the West Indies. 

There is a belief among AFL fans that is best summed up as  "if people see it they will instantly want to watch more" because they all say that football is so dull they think if someone is presented with AFL they will instantly chose it over football. Because of this they think if they just play a couple of games in China they will convert the whole country because the starting point of their beliefs is that AFL is so exciting compared to every other sport. As a kid I had these conversations with other AFL fans, always not understanding why anyone would chose another sport over AFL. I grew out of it, none of the AFL media ever seem to.

close minded AFL fans genuinely believe AFL is the best and most skillful sport in the world and will take off around the world if done correctly. delusions of grandeur is an understatement. sometimes you just need to accept your position in the sporting landscape and focus on consolidating your strengths, which would be solidifying your traditional fan base and grassroots regions. Instead I read an article yesterday about how suburban and country AFL teams are dying because there is no money. Yet they spend hundreds of millions on expansion teams in areas where the locals don't give a fuck. 

that's what the afl fans say about the a league 

Can someone email this to Koche please?

A brand that no one has ever heard of is one of our leading luxury brands? We must suck at luxury.

this is happening again on saturday it's pretty interesting to see if they will get any momentum this year 

it's coming up? heard nothing about it

I think I heard on the radio last week that the AFL is opening and office in China, not sure if I heard right but i think it said Shanghai. No shit.

edit - https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-05-21/afl-set-to-open-office-in-china

AFL whale in a pond.
So happy I live in Sydney & don't have to put up with this crap.

The AFL are a deluded bunch who's overblown sense of importance is entertaining to watch from outside of VIC, SA, WA.

I'm actually interested in it as a sporting fan though i would like to see how they go. It's the same as the nfl trying to expand into london 

at least in London they've heard of gridiron

It's not the game, as a sporting fan, its a sport, it's just the ALF media & it's fans.

NFL in London, sells out (true paying customers) Wembley with 100K & attracts huge TV audience in the UK.

AFL in China, well, ummm.....

Expect the usual AFL paid media personalities to go into overdrive with AFL china PR in a few days

People do not know Asian people generally are not into contact sports (yes sumo and martial art are for minority). Games like afl and rugby etc only confirm the Aussie stereotype  i.e. big rough physical violent people who are not exactly bright.

How much money are they wasting on this??

its entertaining from VIC as well.


not sure about the AFL but the SA govt is paying $350K and the federal govt a few hundred k as well. thats what stinks about this whole concept. 

that won't even cover the flights

Vic Gov i paying as well. Port have a few commercial partners covering most of the costs.

I think showcasing AFL as part of a trade fair is kind of like showcasing Vegemite, it's fine so long as we can demonstrate that we also are good at producing world class products and services that the world would be interested in.

Shanghai game is on tv right now...crowd looks less than impressive. It really is embarrassing. I presume Kochy's corporate fat cat mates are enjoying the junket, though.

Lol at the empty seats. AFL was banging in that it was a sellout. 

Absolutely woeful crowd at the game.
Plenty of empty seats. 

they don't seem to understand that we already play real official games of football in China

They might not get supporters but will they get sponsors?

They will get sponsors  as the afl big wigs  know how to smooze.  Hell Melbourne demons got kaspersky  lab to Australia by chance 

Kaspersky was shirt sponsor for Manly Sea Eagles.

Kermit once sang It's not easy being Green, but it's a hell of a lot harder living in Victoria if you don't like AFL.

over the years, there are more and more who hate AFL

Not enough in Tasmania!

AFL’s China farce exposed

Port Adelaide ran away with a thumping 22.7 (139) to 9.15 (69) win over St Kilda in China but all the talk was of the lack of interest in the game as the stands were left empty.

That was despite the fact that as early as this morning AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan trumpeted the China match between St Kilda and Port Adelaide as a sell out.

Well, either half the crowd got stuck in one hell of a traffic jam or somebody’s lying.

The stands for the third edition of the AFL’s China game, this time involving the Saints instead of Gold Coast, were quite empty, not that Saints players would notice much difference from a regular home game — surely leaving the AFL to wonder if the expansion into China is worth it.

The empty stands led plenty of fans and analysts on Twitter to make fun of the fail and McLachlan’s statement.

This match was clearly not “sold out” and the boss was being hammered.

Greg Jericho✔@GrogsGamutLulz commentators trying to say there will be some spare seats due to restricted views ...err like the ones straight across the ground in the prime spot? #AFLSaintsPower

Vince Rugari✔@VinceRugariThe crowd is small because all the Chinese became attached to the Gold Coast Suns because they wore the colours of their flag and they’re too loyal to jump ship 

Titus O'Reily✔@TitusOReilyAFL says empty seats in China reflective of the rabbit terrine served before the game, not a lack of interest. #AFLSaintsPower pic.twitter.com/slGDdpeVcm

The narrative from senior port and afl people is mind boggling...i suppose thats the PR training at its best

the media portrays is about growing the game , exposing AFL overseas to new fans
then its about commercial opportunites , sponsorship etc

then you get these tweets
"Hey @paulwkennedy love your work but don’t go bagging the @AFL’s China ventures. It’s got nothing to do with the number of people in the stands. It’s about sports diplomacy and commercial revenue opportunities for @PAFC and @stkildafc2:58 PM - 2 Jun 2019 "

and yet the crowd numbers were a joke. the commentators stated that " apparently major sponsor shanghai cred gave the wrong address to its fan base " is laughable...
and yet kochie and gil said its a sellout..
which story is it ?

then you have this guy https://twitter.com/AndrewHunter__ .... who gets paid to promote this tripe....

https://10daily.com.au/news/sport/a190602tlhnu/afl-fails-in-china-again-as-buses-take-fans-to-wrong-stadium-20190602

Lol. Bus sent people to the wrong address? Really? Is that the best excuse they got?

wow that is a headline i would never expect to see in melbourne 

The Chinese navy has rolled into Sydney.  The VFL better get a picture with the Admiral holding a Sherrin.   

Apparently it’s a mistake and they’re in the wrong location .... that’s the last time they’ll ask directions from a bus company !! 

Is it any wonder the buses went to the wrong stadium; all the street signs were in Chinese!  If they’d only been in ‘Strayan everything would have been fine.  

I'm lol'ing at the tweets and excuses most die hard afl fans are coming up with.

i heard they want to get the chinese people to bet on the afl matches 

Planned it for 9 months then sent the paid for fans to the wrong stadium. This is hilarious!

In all seriousness, did they even bother to consult Sydney FC or MVFC?

If you made it up no-one would believe it.  

Whats even more hilarious is they used this act of Keystone Cops stupidity to try and justify the tiny crowd.  Just priceless! 

A lot of afl writers are trying to fix things but making it worse.  Rohan Connolly is one of the few who are calling it out.

to be fair, I've seen a lot of the AFL media ridicule this. Rohan Connolly is one of the rare decent AFL media commentators

Paul Murray called it out as well. They're onto it but the AFL diehards will believe anything about their great game.

The facts are the AFL is popular to only half a country with a total 25 million people and will never progress beyond that.

THE Paul Murray from Sky? Thought he hated the game(or at least the domestic scene) on the back of some sneering BS towards the HAL Grand Final last year.


Very much so - he's virtually the only person in the entire AFL industry whom I'd implicitly trust w/any position of influence in Oz football.

Yes from Sky. He never used to have kind words towards football as neither did many in Sky. However over the last 2 or 3 years they’ve changed. No longer is footballer sneered on “ The Back Page “ for example and Bozza is constantly on Paul Murray’s show.

Rohan is actually a football fan as well iirc? Some of the afl media are calling the afl and the hun particularly  for their biased reporting

this poster on the herald sun nails it

" Bus driver error!!!!
Oh come on, PLEASE!!!!! What depths will Prof Hawking/AFL stoop to to defend their ridiculous decision to play a game in China. 
As an expat living in China, with a very keen interest in AFL, I can assure you there is ABSOLUTELY no interest in this game from ANYBODY in China. NONE. 
I have mentioned this before, I had an American mate who lives close to the stadium and was offered free tickets AND DRINKS if he would come to the game... he actually rang me to ask what it is all about. lol.
Haven't heard what the TV ratings were yet... bound to be millions according to CCTV, that way at least the AFL will retain interest in continuing this farce and the Chinese will continue to rake in the tourist $$$$ for virtually no out-lay. Sounds like good business to me.
There is a sucker born every day. 
Titus O'Riely absolutely nailed this. 
Embarrassment. "

Meanwhile the attendance at A-League club ACL games in China totals about 700k.

The Federal Labor Party offered the AFL around $28 Mill before the election to help them relocate a team to Tassie. Thankfully they lost the election. Football gets a once off $2 Mill to start a team in the Sydney Western Suburbs and we think all Christmas' have come at once.

Does anyone tell AFL fans that A-League clubs get crowds of 40k and millions of viewers in china? 

FFS, there was 13 million watching the Tevez Roar game....if only they knew. 

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan admits the crowd at the China clash was “a bit” disappointing, but says the league won’t be abandoning its venture into Asia any time soon.

The clash between St Kilda and Port Adelaide had been billed as a “sell-out” in the lead-up but there were plenty of empty seats on gameday.

McLachlan told Neil Mitchell it was unfortunate, but said there were contributing factors that made it look worse than it actually was.

“There’s a challenge with the way the catering and service works that you need to be in a marquee,” he explained.

“There are a lot of people in tents and they need to be allocated a seat.”

He said the league would continue playing games in China.

“There’s this narrative that there’s a ‘cost’ – it’s not costing anything – that game breaks even for the AFL and the clubs are making money,” McLachlan said.

“A clear part of why we are there is because China is a very important market for Australia – our biggest trading partner – and we think we can make money in the end.

“Why are we doing that? So we can invest in community programs, in women’s football and all the places we do.

“It’s a huge commercial opportunity.”