Folau - The Latest Big AFL Signing

[awg]

fwiw, I think Folau has the athletic capability to have at least a degree of success on the field.

However, a few things

1) The guy can hardly string 2 words together, so I dont think they will recieve anywhere near the marketing value they paid for.

2) They could have got a much better AFL player for a lot less money

3) There will be much resentment amongst the other players, that sort of pressure can tell on a young guy

 

[Boognish]

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

Rugby League easily outrates fumbleball on TV. Leaving this painful fact aside do you want to tell me which is the stronger code, considering:

One code needs to pay overs for the other's players to give its expansion teams any hope of recognition.
One code's players are capable of switching and mastering the "skill"set of the other code. There is no way the reverse could happen.
One code has a growing international competition and presence while the other is barely even considered in 2 of the largest 3 markets in its own country, let alone internationally.
One code is strong enough to deal with the ratbags in its ranks openly and honestly in a biased and hostile media environment, while the other is forced to protect its wrongdoers with anonymity in a biased and favourable media environment.

I could go on.

 

[prawn_86]

Rugby League easily outrates fumbleball on TV. Leaving this painful fact aside do you want to tell me which is the stronger code, considering:

Without going into arguement about the skills, i think you will find your wrong here Boognish:
http://www.talkingfooty.com/tv_ratings_2009.php

AFL outdoes NRL TV ratings every week.

Also total AFL memberships approx 500k, total NRL memberships 125k.

AFL TV rights sell for about $750m what do the NRL rights go for?

From the financial and 'popularity' side of things, country wide its a no-contest, AFL wins on every marketing metric.

 

[professor_frink]

Without going into arguement about the skills, i think you will find your wrong here Boognish:
http://www.talkingfooty.com/tv_ratings_2009.php

AFL outdoes NRL TV ratings every week.

Also total AFL memberships approx 500k, total NRL memberships 125k.

AFL TV rights sell for about $750m what do the NRL rights go for?

From the financial and 'popularity' side of things, country wide its a no-contest, AFL wins on every marketing metric.

And despite all of that, the most populated area in the country basically couldn't care less about it:dunno:

 

[prawn_86]

And despite all of that, the most populated area in the country basically couldn't care less about it:dunno:

Yep, but it is slowly changing. Even most of the English blokes here in our office prefer AFL over NRL.

AFL crowds here in Sydney are still respectable and still more than a lot of NRL games

 

[Mofra]

One estimate had Hunt's signing as already generating over $7m in free advertising for the AFL.
This is before the coverage of him playing in the VFL, let alone AFL.

I'd expect Folau to have generated more, given the passion it has already invoked amongst the League followers.

Very good value marketing dollars spent by the AFL (most of the money they will receive is outside the salary cap because it falls under the club $1m marketing revenue budget).

 

[GumbyLearner]

Good Luck to him.

I hope he is the new Lockett.

 

[Macquack]

Is the marketing of AFL becoming more important than the game itself?

FOOTY'S biggest earner is not Chris Judd, Gary Ablett, Israel Falou or even Nick Riewoldt - it's a man who hasn't pulled on the boots for 22 years.


Andrew Demetriou's bulging salary package jumped another $200,000 to $1.8 million last year - a cool $1.2 million more than he was earning as league chief executive just five years ago - and well clear of any AFL player.

Andrew Demetriou's life dandy with $1.8 million salary
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/af...8-million-salary/story-e6frg1xu-1225842083055

Andrew Demetriou quote
"We're not out there seeking NRL players"

If your not seeking NRL players, why have you signed Hunt and Falou to be the "faces" of your two new franchises?

"Recruiting players, particularly internationally, does come at an additional cost, but we applaud clubs who are prepared to make that investment and then back their capacity to train those athletes to become AFL-standard players," Demetriou wrote.

Come on Andrew, the clubs you are "applauding" (Gold Coast and Western Sydney) have been created by the AFL, are run by the AFL using AFL money. This statement is Dimetriou's way of patting himself on the back.

Dimetriou is turning the AFL into a circus.

 

[Duckman#72]

Dimetriou is turning the AFL into a circus.

Every good circus needs wonderful clowns. Unfortunately clowns have always been in short supply in the AFL, so thankfully we have the NRL to recruit from.

But seriously Macquack, do you honestly believe that the AFL are actively trying to poach more NRL players?

I will go on the record as saying that I don't believe we will see another league signing. And if there is, it will not be for anywhere near the marketing money paid to Folau and Hunt. The AFL's job is done.

It has been a realistic, commercial decision to maximise media exposure to it's two developing markets (in heartland League country).

Why so caught up on money??

League followers forget that the AFL has the money to spend on these expanding markets due to the success of rolling out their national competion over 20 years ago. The AFL is reaping what they've sown.

As for AFL players getting cranky - they will very quickly see the big picture. Once the broadcasting rights are renegotiated on the basis of 18 national teams, including a media spotlighted Gold Coast and Western Syndey, increased player contract will result.

So relax Macquack - the AFL doesn't want or need anymore of your current players........we just want your children.

Duckman

 

[Macquack]

So relax Macquack - the AFL doesn't want or need anymore of your current players........we just want your children.

Duckman

You can have Carmichael Hunt and Israel Falou, but if you poach Greg Inglis (best athlete in Australian contact ball sports) it will be game on.

 

[Duckman#72]

You can have Carmichael Hunt and Israel Falou, but if you poach Greg Inglis (best athlete in Australian contact ball sports) it will be game on.

Deal

Is Inglis better than Slater or Hayne in the NRL? Certainly he is bigger but on what basis is he a better "athlete"? From the games I've watched recently the first two seem more "dangerous".

Duckman

 

[Boognish]

Deal

Is Inglis better than Slater or Hayne in the NRL? Certainly he is bigger but on what basis is he a better "athlete"? From the games I've watched recently the first two seem more "dangerous".

Duckman

Nah he's rubbish so don't worry about him. :run:

 

[newbie trader]

Slater I think would have made a great AFL player but if probably a bit old now.

Folau and Hunt will 'pay for themselves' I think.

 

[professor_frink]

It'll be interesting to see if there is any increase in broadcast revenue for the AFL when they expand into Sydney and the Gold Coast.

Despite saturation coverage of the AFL in NSW , tv ratings for Sydney are absolutely atrocious(generally 5-10% of Melbourne).

From what I've seen, Queenslander's will actually tune in when Brisbane are playing, so possibly there will be something positive coming out of the Gold Coast franchise

 

[Duckman#72]

It'll be interesting to see if there is any increase in broadcast revenue for the AFL when they expand into Sydney and the Gold Coast.

Professor I think you might mean ....."It'll be interesting to see if there is any increase in broadcast RATINGS for the AFL when they expand into Sydney and the Gold Coast."

There is no doubt that there will be increased broadcast revenue. The AFL have made several comments over the past 3 years that the new broadcasting arrangements will be worth potentially 50% more than the existing arrangements on the back of an additional game per week and the inclusion of Gold Coast and Sydney.

The AFL will not be "giving away" the rights. The have the product and they want the associated $$$$ to keep growing and developing the game. It might seem ruthless, but the days of playing for Essendon at Windy Hill for $40 a win and $20 a loss are long, long gone.

Duckman

 

[newbie trader]

In relation to the ratings, I will be watching the GC games (although I generally watch all of the free tv AFL that is aired anyway) and think it's a great move by the AFL to create another team in QLD. Do you think that Hunt and Folau will draw any NRL fans over?

 

[Duckman#72]

Do you think that Hunt and Folau will draw any NRL fans over?

Diehard league supporters will not be interested and the AFL aren't targeting them. They are just wanting to create an "interest" in the game.

It is much easier to get Rugby League followers to watch AFL than it is to get AFL watchers to follow League.

Let's not kid ourselves - there is not going to be a mass exodus of supporters or players from League - but there will certainly be more than a passing interest from many quarters...and that is what the AFL wants.

Duckman

 

[professor_frink]

Professor I think you might mean ....."It'll be interesting to see if there is any increase in broadcast RATINGS for the AFL when they expand into Sydney and the Gold Coast."

Ah yes, thank you for fixing that up. Twas rather poorly thought through

And I hadn't really thought about it from the overall league perspective, regardless of how little interest there is in Sydney. Every 2nd week both of those teams will be playing in areas where there will be decent crowds and lots of people watching it on tv, so it'll probably be a winner.

 

[Macquack]

Is Inglis better than Slater or Hayne in the NRL? Certainly he is bigger but on what basis is he a better "athlete"? From the games I've watched recently the first two seem more "dangerous".

Duckman

Slater can't do this.

 

[JTLP]

NRL is a dying sport in Aus. That's not to say it will go under...but the sport certainly isn't healthy.

Just look at the crowd numbers for AFL hack teams and NRL Top tier teams...an crap AFL game gets about 15 - 20k...NRL big games get that amount. Even in Melb the NRL does better then most interstate games. Sheesh.

I love how angry the diehards of NRL get when AFL gets dropped. "Fumble Ball" lawl. Cause a couple of brutes running at each other then kicking a ball in the air is entertainment at its peak.

There is a reason why AFL can demand and throw the big bucks all over. The game is more exciting and has more involvement. Simple.