AFL vs NRL battle of the codes
Tue 26 May 2009
Emma Clark, Bachelor of Journalism
The fight for domination in the Australian football culture continues as the Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL) codes attempt to draw in new fans and keep existing fans interested.
The AFL has the ability to draw larger crowds as their stadiums allow for a much larger live audience to attend, allowing the profit margin to be higher than the NRL.
In the next few years the NRL must consider expanding the codes competition if it wishes to keep up to speed with the AFL.
The NRL currently covers three Australian States and one in New Zealand, but yet still promotes itself as the national football league, ignoring the fact that there are four states not represented.
Both the AFL and NRL have started clubs in opposing territory, in the attempt to branch out each code to attract new fans in a wider geographical location.
The Gold Coast Titians club started in 2007, the NRL ensuring that it cemented a team in one of the fastest growing areas in Australia.
The AFL was a little slower off the mark, but Carrara Stadium is said to be completed around 2012 and has the capacity to seat 25,000 people.
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has committed to contribute $60 million on the Gold Coast stadium for the benefit of the AFL.
The question still ponders of what hopes of success the Gold Coast AFL club has, as currently the Brisbane Lions this year have struggled with membership continuation.
The Melbourne Storm have achieved great on field success in the short life of the club, yet find it hard to gain recognition in the predominately AFL state.
On field success of the Melbourne Storm should involve more extensive media coverage which should allow the club to expand their fan base.
As loyal fans stand by their chosen code, domination of the Australian football culture will continue to be a challenge for both the AFL and NRL.
The solution may be to stop comparing codes and appreciate each as an individual sport that requires different skills and disciplines.
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Submitted Comments
Keep up to speed with the AFL? the afl have not gained any significant new followers. Nothing has changed. Afl doesnt exist in qld.
gayfl
A good review. It's very interesting to see the comparison between these two games, and I agree, just appreciate the two games for what they are. Go AFL!
Dale Thomas
This is a very interesting review about a very important topic. Great review, keep up the good work.
Jamie-Leigh