AFL & NRL Asked to take mid season break during World Cup

[mal]

A-league crowds this season are poo. I think it could well be because the trend has worn off for a lot of people. I know it has for me (for the a-league anyway). I love football and consider it equal with league in terms of my favourite sport but the A-league is just crap.

Agree, the A-League is of a very sub-par quality and I personally struggle to sit down and watch a game. Definitely no relection of the amount of people who love football as a game though.

 

[Black Philip]

I'd still say league is a more popular game in Australia, and I'd definitely say AFL is.

So... what exactly happens if League and AFL say "No, bugger off. We aren't stopping our season for you"? Is that the end of it?

 

[mal]

I'd still say league is a more popular game in Australia, and I'd definitely say AFL is.

So... what exactly happens if League and AFL say "No, bugger off. We aren't stopping our season for you"? Is that the end of it?

Dunno, honestly. There will be alot of resentment from football fans. But I'm pretty sure all administrations will come to an agreement one way or another.

 

[Coxy]

Seriously I don't think FIFA will give a shit if the AFL and NRL keep playing up until the world cup, even if it's not at "their" venues.

In any case, it won't happen. Australia isn't important to FIFA so they won't risk their showpiece event here. Plus there's always backlash about events being held in Australia because games aren't in prime time in the US and Europe.

 

[Charmamba]

Good point there, Maybe NRL and AFL should say yes, let the FFA do all the work upgrading stadiums then laugh when the bid gets rejected.

 

[Coxy]

LOL! I doubt any money would be allocated to upgrades until the bid was approved ;-)

 

[Charmamba]

haha it was worth a shot wasnt it? lol

Plus wouldnt the goverment have to commit to funding before the bid is placed? And would the goverment then withdraw the funding if it got rejected or upgrade anyway and try again the next bid?

 

[Black Philip]

Seriously I don't think FIFA will give a shit if the AFL and NRL keep playing up until the world cup, even if it's not at "their" venues.

In any case, it won't happen. Australia isn't important to FIFA so they won't risk their showpiece event here. Plus there's always backlash about events being held in Australia because games aren't in prime time in the US and Europe.

Very true, TV ratings for the WC suffered a lot during the world cup in Japan/Korea. I'd say FIFA will be hesitant to bring it back to this timezone.

 

[The Brizz]

They are obliged to bring it back here as part of their new cycle including Africa and Asia, so Europe and the USA will have to deal with it again.

 

[Black Philip]

I'd say England will get it in 2018, 2022 will be between the USA and Australia probably.

 

[Russo]

Maybe they could play all the NRL games in this period over in Kiwiland.

Or take the games to the country areas or NT, take a game to PNG, Fiji, maybe something in that thought Gut as it is only for one year and a few weeks

 

[gUt]

yeah would be a chance to promote the game in those areas

 

[Charmamba]

Maybe they could play all the NRL games in this period over in Kiwiland.

Or take the games to the country areas or NT, take a game to PNG, Fiji, maybe something in that thought Gut as it is only for one year and a few weeks

How long is it for? Blow some money take the clubs to the States, and do some Demo rounds. Could help to get a full time Tv deal over there. Hell im sure Spike Tv would be interested in playing some games live.

 

[Professor47]

Honestly I'm cool with it - but I'm not cool with the attitude that the 'football' heads in Australia have. I just read something from Frank Farina the other day. The football community demands it. They have an arrogant and superior attitude and Aussies hate that.
I understand it is the world game but you have to understand it is NOT the world game in Australia. Personally I think there should be some form of compromise met. Meet halfway somehow.

 

[Coxy]

Honestly I'm cool with it - but I'm not cool with the attitude that the 'football' heads in Australia have. I just read something from Frank Farina the other day. The football community demands it. They have an arrogant and superior attitude and Aussies hate that.

It's small dick syndrome. They're sick of being the minor sport in australia and now think if they get the World Cup they'll somehow be important.

 

[The Brizz]

Considering we have the highest participation rate in the country you might consider us important already. we just don't have a strong league yet due to a number of factors but mainly because of the money and prestige that comes with playing in Europe, the Americas or East Asia far outweighs the appeal of playing in Australia. A World Cup here may help this to some degree showing off our country as a football nation to a much wider audience.

 

[Charmamba]

Ok during school and early teens yes Soccer is a major sport, alot of that is proberly due to the mothers not wanting there kids hurt playing league.

But once you start talking about early Twenties on, League and AFL far outweigh Soccer in Australia. So no i dont see Soccer as important to Australia.

 

[ningnangnong]

If it's playing a role in developing young people, keeping them fit and healthy, i'd say it's pretty important.