I work with a few Kiwis in their early 20s. They played Aussie Rules in NZ. One has played Aussie Rules on the ground that is going to be used for the Saint's games. They are Hawthorn fans by the way due to the Hawks work in NZ, went to the Hawks v Pies last Friday. Know their AFL. One is winning the tipping at his previous workplace. Yep AFL is not going to challenge the dominance of Union. It does not have to be a success. We might get a few players out of it. Much like Queensland we might get a disproportinate number of 195cm plus talls who don't feel like packing down in a union scrum and are too tall for league. Or slight kids who get knocked about by much bigger kids in league and choose AFL and stay with it as they mature and fill out.

Who knows..in 30 years time there might even be a NZ based team in the AFL.

Smart move by AFL to include an ANZAC Match. They'll get more than 5000 for that as well as a sizable prime time audience back in OZ.

. Fair enough,they will get more than 5000 in the first year....free tickets anyone? Of course the Kiwis dont do Anzac Day like Australia/AFL does...they seemed to have twigged that war isnt sport or vice versa...you dont think its strange that given the proximity of the two countries and other shared values that no Kiwi has bothered to play AFL....maybe if they're elite they just dont fancy the game. But seeing the AFL has its very own Iraq going in Western Sydney it may as well invade Afghanistan as well I suppose. Second in stupidity to the notion they will get a foothold in China really. They cant even get ashore in Darwin where there are blokes who actually play the game at the highest level.....maybe Anzac Day should be on Lameroo beach,their very own Gallipoli

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by IRW

We will go to China as long as Max Gawn don't throw up at someone, because the last time it happen the guy end up in a other club.

Edited September 13, 201213 yr by 7-UP

I must admit football is boring me lately. Soon very few people will remember how great the VFL was in it's grace and simplicity. The national league started the decline and the corporatisation of the game will eventually kill off any semblance of the wonderful game it once was. I must admit I buy my membership more in support of a wonderful old institution than the game itself. So go international I don't care, neither will the Kiwis I suspect.

I know exactly what you mean 'Sorge', and money has taken the 'Game' away from it's origin styles...

But it can be brought back, style wise, & Clubs will come back to the people when this credit Cycle of the last 40+ Yrs ends.

Then the club will open it's doors to the supporters/members, & it may not be as far away as it may seem.

So, to the Board, don't take the club further away from the current supporters. Re engage the supporters near they're homes & Open up the place with open arms, & see the difference.

Don't cross town for more high rollers. You'll lose the ones who Love the Club.