Folau - The Latest Big AFL Signing

[Duckman#72]

It's been a couple of days now since the announcement was made regarding Folau joining the AFL ranks.

What are people's thoughts? Brillant marketing strategy or money poured down the drain?

Let us know.

Duckman

 

[professor_frink]

It's been a couple of days now since the announcement was made regarding Folau joining the AFL ranks.

What are people's thoughts? Brillant marketing strategy or money poured down the drain?

Let us know.

Duckman

Money down the drain. IMHO It'll take decades(if ever) for AFL to catch on in Western Sydney. Can't see having a rugby league player in the team changing that.

 

[prawn_86]

Now that im living in Sydnmey i know what a sporting wasteland it is, a real melting pot with no one dominant code.

However, AFL has ained a lot of media attention over the last few weeks, and as i understand it both the NRL signings have marketing duties in-built into their contracts, so i think its a good move, although the price they paid is probably a bit high

 

[Wysiwyg]

Are there any AFL players that would like to switch codes to Rugby League?

Not allowed:

no jumping on opponents back (= the biff and/or penalty)
no man handling or shirt grabbing off the ball (= the biff and/or penalty)
no punching the ball (has to be passed backwards)
no sly knees, elbows or headbutts (= the biff)
no bouncing the ball in front of you when running
the team must stay together facing the opposition (no wandering around aimless)
you must only tackle the opponent carrying the ball

2 points for goal
4 points for a try

and the rest you should pick up after a few games.

 

[nunthewiser]

You forgot to add

5. Who is he ?

on the poll

 

[kgee]

They say its a marketing ploy to get Pacific Islanders to both play and support the game

I don't know how many of you get out West Sydney way but if you want kids to play the game give them $ 100 bucks a game...no one will play Rugby Union or League again!
Easy
So 3 mil (what AFL are paying Israel) divided by $100 = 30,000 kids you could get to play one game of AFL or 10,000 kids $100/g for 3 games...you see where I'm going with this?

Tell me if I'm out of line
but do people when they get an excess of money or power go a little silly in the head?
where's the avatar/smilies of an old grumpy man just shaking his head?

Ps Im a gambling man and he hasn't got the ticker (my bad)

 

[mazzatelli]

Izzy is looked up to by a lot of kids in the South West, comparable to Kurtley Beale with all the boys from private school.

These guys can definitely get people to jump on the bandwagon, though I feel Izzy will have to succeed for them to jump.

Last I heard he would like to play full forward. I shouldn't judge, but have doubts over his kicking ability

Just have to wait and see...

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Why cannot the AFL find their own stars from among their own ranks. It seems weird to import someone from another code for such a high fee.

AFL central must be inhaling again.

A silly move imo.

gg

 

[kgee]

I'm kind of wondering what AFL players are feeling?
i sn't a little insultiing to give $3million away to a kid who doesnt't, ...untill today even like the game????

 

[kgee]

Just talking crap but Beale he's Abo yeah??
I'm a big Sth's supporter when it comes to league
Everyone knows John sutton is a big game player and he him and bird the two bad boys should be running halves for NSW,,,,
talk about smash up the middle

 

[Duckman#72]

Why cannot the AFL find their own stars from among their own ranks. It seems weird to import someone from another code for such a high fee.

AFL central must be inhaling again.

A silly move imo.

gg

Regardless of whether Hunt or Folau end up as stars of the AFL (or even just average players) I think it is a masterstroke. It is advertising that keeps on keeping on. Here in Central Queensland we were watching snippets of Hunt training with the Gold Coast side last night. Tonight we saw Folau kicking a Sherrin around the Bronco's training track.

Realistically without Hunt and Folau, (and remembering under AFL rules players switching teams aren't allowed to be named before season end) the media are not going to pay much attention to new struggling franchises.

No one has been able to tell me how the AFL could spend the same amount of money over the next 4 years and get more "bang for the buck". Andrew Demetriou could spend $4million on promotional lunchboxes, backpacks and pencil cases and what would that achieve?

The signings tick every box for the AFL.

1. Huge long term promotional opportunities in Qld and NSW
2. Media attention in Qld and NSW leading into broadcast rights agreements.
3. Demonstrates that two of the best athletes from League want to play AFL
4. Gets every rugby league player in the country thinking...."I wonder if I..."
5. Gets exposure to a completely new demographic in the Islander community
6. Gets League kids all around Qld and NSW exposed to AFL
7. Gets people talking about the Gold Coast and GWS franchises

As for whether they can play or not, I have concerns about whether they will be "stars" but I can't see them being complete failures. The AFL has a history of identifying athletic talent at a young age and directing them towards aussie rules. They would have done stringent testing on both of them.

Comments like those above from GG are understandable from Rugby League followers. They are also lacking perspective, judgement and an understanding of what the AFL is trying to achieve. GG wants to know why they don't "find their own stars". I'll tell you why - there are approximately 1 million kids in and around GWS and the Gold Coast that wouldn't know Gary Ablett from Ivan Milat, but I'm guessing nearly every one of them knows Hunt and Folau. A publicity stunt you say? Of course it bloody is!!!!

Look at other success stories - Dean Brogan (basketballer for Adelaide), Kurt Tippett (basketball junior), Marty Clarke, Setanta O'Hailpin, Jim Stynes, Tagh Kenneally (Irish football), Brad Green (soccer), Mike Pyke (Rugby Union). Look at Simon O'Donnell the Australia cricketer (played for St Kilda) as did Shane Warne in the Under 19's. Max Walker did the same. Athletic ability counts for a lot in AFL. Let's face it...the AFL didn't pick people like Sam Backo or Marty Bella!!

The hardest thing for Hunt and Folau to develop will be "an AFL football brain", but you can bet your bottom dollar that the AFL will have checked that they had the athletic ability to make the transition. Yes Hunt will need to strip down his playing weight and build up some stamina but that is just fitness.

As for the dollars bandied around - I believe that it is $3m for Hunt for 3 and $3.4m-$3.7m for 4 years for Folau with bonuses built in for Best and Fairests, Finals, Sponsorship, and Membership. It is interesting that the people talking up the $6m figure are Bruno Cullen, Artie Beetson and David Gallop(...hmm, not so hidden agenda's I'm wondering).

The AFL wants to expand, to grow markets and obviously its pool of talent. The more the AFL does this, the more money the AFL can demand (and the more money will flow back to the game and it's players). Yes it is a big amount of money to spend on two people, BUT...if the AFL get it right, it will be a small fraction of what might come back.

Whether or not the "stunt" is a complete success will obviously only be determined by the players ability to make the transition, but for the moment I give them an A+ for exposure and media interest ahead of the clubs entries over the next 2 years.

Duckman

 

[newbie trader]

Regardless of whether Hunt or Folau end up as stars of the AFL (or even just average players) I think it is a masterstroke. It is advertising that keeps on keeping on. Here in Central Queensland we were watching snippets of Hunt training with the Gold Coast side last night. Tonight we saw Folau kicking a Sherrin around the Bronco's training track.

Realistically without Hunt and Folau, (and remembering under AFL rules players switching teams aren't allowed to be named before season end) the media are not going to pay much attention to new struggling franchises.

No one has been able to tell me how the AFL could spend the same amount of money over the next 4 years and get more "bang for the buck". Andrew Demetriou could spend $4million on promotional lunchboxes, backpacks and pencil cases and what would that achieve?

The signings tick every box for the AFL.

1. Huge long term promotional opportunities in Qld and NSW
2. Media attention in Qld and NSW leading into broadcast rights agreements.
3. Demonstrates that two of the best athletes from League want to play AFL
4. Gets every rugby league player in the country thinking...."I wonder if I..."
5. Gets exposure to a completely new demographic in the Islander community
6. Gets League kids all around Qld and NSW exposed to AFL
7. Gets people talking about the Gold Coast and GWS franchises

As for whether they can play or not, I have concerns about whether they will be "stars" but I can't see them being complete failures. The AFL has a history of identifying athletic talent at a young age and directing them towards aussie rules. They would have done stringent testing on both of them.

Comments like those above from GG are understandable from Rugby League followers. They are also lacking perspective, judgement and an understanding of what the AFL is trying to achieve. GG wants to know why they don't "find their own stars". I'll tell you why - there are approximately 1 million kids in and around GWS and the Gold Coast that wouldn't know Gary Ablett from Ivan Milat, but I'm guessing nearly every one of them knows Hunt and Folau. A publicity stunt you say? Of course it bloody is!!!!

Look at other success stories - Dean Brogan (basketballer for Adelaide), Kurt Tippett (basketball junior), Marty Clarke, Setanta O'Hailpin, Jim Stynes, Tagh Kenneally (Irish football), Brad Green (soccer), Mike Pyke (Rugby Union). Look at Simon O'Donnell the Australia cricketer (played for St Kilda) as did Shane Warne in the Under 19's. Max Walker did the same. Athletic ability counts for a lot in AFL. Let's face it...the AFL didn't pick people like Sam Backo or Marty Bella!!

The hardest thing for Hunt and Folau to develop will be "an AFL football brain", but you can bet your bottom dollar that the AFL will have checked that they had the athletic ability to make the transition. Yes Hunt will need to strip down his playing weight and build up some stamina but that is just fitness.

As for the dollars bandied around - I believe that it is $3m for Hunt for 3 and $3.4m-$3.7m for 4 years for Folau with bonuses built in for Best and Fairests, Finals, Sponsorship, and Membership. It is interesting that the people talking up the $6m figure are Bruno Cullen, Artie Beetson and David Gallop(...hmm, not so hidden agenda's I'm wondering).

The AFL wants to expand, to grow markets and obviously its pool of talent. The more the AFL does this, the more money the AFL can demand (and the more money will flow back to the game and it's players). Yes it is a big amount of money to spend on two people, BUT...if the AFL get it right, it will be a small fraction of what might come back.

Whether or not the "stunt" is a complete success will obviously only be determined by the players ability to make the transition, but for the moment I give them an A+ for exposure and media interest ahead of the clubs entries over the next 2 years.

Duckman

Agree with you fully there Duckman...Both also have the potential to be great AFL players imo but the intial exposure will be fantastic. The only downside I see here is fact that the kids who are coming up in the ranks are being shafted for players whom insteantly like the code once some dollar figures are produced. Not sending a very good message imo. They are both natural athletes they won't be the best (initially or ever) but they wont be the worst.

 

[dutchie]

Are there any AFL players that would like to switch codes to Rugby League?

Not allowed:

no jumping on opponents back (= the biff and/or penalty)
no man handling or shirt grabbing off the ball (= the biff and/or penalty)
no punching the ball (has to be passed backwards)
no sly knees, elbows or headbutts (= the biff)
no bouncing the ball in front of you when running
the team must stay together facing the opposition (no wandering around aimless)
you must only tackle the opponent carrying the ball

2 points for goal
4 points for a try

and the rest you should pick up after a few games.

no reward for just missing

 

[kgee]

.

3. Demonstrates that two of the best athletes from League want to play AFL

Duckman

Demonstrates that 2 young men want to make money

 

[Boognish]

no reward for just missing

No endless substitutions when your leggy-pegs get a widdle bit sore.

 

[subasurf]

Are there any AFL players that would like to switch codes to Rugby League?

GayFL players are too soft and dainty for Rugby. They wouldn't last a single season...with a few exceptions of course.
They certainly wouldn't last in Rugby Union; seeing as AFL players show absolutely NO respect for the umpires and have very little discipline.

 

[trainspotter]

Wayne Carey started playing Rugby prior to switching to AFL. Admittedly he was not an NRL player and got to the heady heights of Captain of the under 9's Wagga school team. Folau is 20 years of age and a very skilled sportsman. He also has got 3 million reasons to be a real AFL player and attract Western Sydney rugby playing kids to become disciples of the all conquering Andrew Demetriou and the AFL brand. I just want to see him run with the ball ...... oooooooopssss need to bounce the ball every 15 yards. I want to see him being tackled ....... oooooooops can't use the big don't argue in AFL. I want to se him kick a ball further than 20 metres and hit a team mate on the chest ..... oooooooooopss kicking the ball is either a "bomb" or heading for touch or a little grubber kick into the forward line in NRL. TRUE ... the dude can take a mighty grab and has sensational hand eye co-ordination. Bring it on !

 

[Dunger]

Why cannot the AFL find their own stars from among their own ranks. It seems weird to import someone from another code for such a high fee.

AFL central must be inhaling again.

A silly move imo.

gg

He's a professional athlete. They don't need to wait a few seasons to get a return on their investment. He's got skill, fitness and strength. Some intensive sessions will get him up to speed with the nuances of the game.

 

[Dunger]

GayFL players are too soft and dainty for Rugby. They wouldn't last a single season...with a few exceptions of course.
They certainly wouldn't last in Rugby Union; seeing as AFL players show absolutely NO respect for the umpires and have very little discipline.

Have you ever watched an AFL game or a Rugby League or Union game? It doesn't sound like it.

What's NOT gay about a scrum with touching, pausing and engaging?

Thurston shows a lot of respect to the refs as well...

 

[ginar]

this is a death knell for NRL . they couldnt compete finanacially or crowdwise and now between AFL and Union taking the best players there will only be hacks and blockheads left . get used to morons like mason and co being the highlights of this game


I reckon billy slater could have been a superstar in AFL , hes probably too old now too make the switch but who knows what might happen now with this storm saga


IF NRL was chartable it would look like a chart of BNB before the collapse