This is a terrific article which suggests the Barassi Line is moving northwards. The Barassi Line is a theoretical construct developed by Professor Ian Turner, historian and mad AFL supporter. (If I remember correctly, I think he supported Richmond). The Line separates the northern and eastern, rugby league supporting Australian jurisdictions from the southern and western ones. This article claims the line is moving northward. I'm sure the AFL will be pleased, although the article stops short of examining whether the cost has been worth it.

Definitely worth a read if you like the bigger picture of AFL as a cultural phenomenon and/or as a business.

Great share, La Dee-vina. Cheers.

That is one great article 

a good read

Good read, thanks for that. We have Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and GW$ for 20,000 viewers on TV

Is it worth it? AFL Headquarters will say it’s a raging success. I disagree. 
Last Wednesday’s State of Origin would have really [censored] the AFL right off. It was an absolute Classic 

The AFL cannot generate that rivalry up North. In Melbourne we had similar rivalries (1950’s to 1990’s) but personally i think the passion has wained a little in the last 20 odd years over all. The Suburban ground was lost to Marvel “Soulless” Stadium 

GW$ and Gold Coast will never run themselves 

Edited July 16, 20223 yr by Sir Why You Little

19 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Good read, thanks for that. We have Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and GW$ for 20,000 viewers on TV

Is it worth it? AFL Headquarters will say it’s a raging success. I disagree. 
Last Wednesday’s State of Origin would have really [censored] the AFL right off. It was an absolute Classic 

The AFL cannot generate that rivalry up North. In Melbourne we had similar rivalries (1950’s to 1990’s) but personally i think the passion has wained a little in the last 20 odd years over all. The Suburban ground was lost to Marvel “Soulless” Stadium 

GW$ and Gold Coast will never run themselves 

I've been living overseas for 20 years. The first time I returned to Aus and went to Marvel, I cam away feeling as if the place had been designed form the foundation s up to fleece the customer of as much cash as possible. Even the pies are more expensive there.

The game and the identities are not the same, but things always change, don't they? IMO, its the result of the age of debt which is hopefully coming to an end now. There are too many teams and the talent is definitely spread too thin. If we think in terms of 'elite talent,' then F1 has 20 drivers. That's 20 in the entire world. Of course, there are hundreds of engineers, so the analogy falls down somewhat, but that's truly elite. Comparing AFL to American football, imagine a single US state with a population halfway between Texas and Florida, running a league of 18 lists of 44 players. How elite would that league be? Not very elite.

The best thing about the Barassi line is that it’s named after an Aussie Rules player. Tells you everything you need to know about Australian sporting culture.