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
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
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.
.
3. Demonstrates that two of the best athletes from League want to play AFL
Duckman
no reward for just missing
Are there any AFL players that would like to switch codes to Rugby League?
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
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.
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