arden street

melbourne sports ramblings

NRL got no idea re Inglis

The NRL have stated that they won't change the salary cap rules to allow Greg Inglis to play for Souths.  They are doing this to try and show that the NRL board has integrity but in doing so only make matters worse for themselves.

This move will push the best player from the NRL straight into the hands of the Bombers, Rebels, or Europe.

Seriously NRL, whats going on?

As an AFL supporter I'm always happy to hear about the problems NRL are facing.  This is just another nail in the NRL coffins.  GWS has just announces they already have almost 7,000 members, and are a year away from playing their first real AFL game.  The NRL heartland is shifting their allegiance and it seems anything the NRL board does to try and stem the flow only makes the matters worse. Viva AFL!!

Roos in Hobart, boring!

North Melbourne has signed a deal with the Tassie government to play 2 games a year for 3 years, starting 2012 in Hobart.  This should add about $750,000 per game to the Roos balance sheet but I see it just as another half attempt by the Roos to foster a new supporter base.  Tassie already has an AFL team in the Hawks.  The Roos should just look to play 3 to 4 games per year in a market that is not already covered by AFL.  The only places left are North QLD, Broken Hill, and Albury.  Seriously Roos just move your 3 to 4 games a year to Cairns! 

Inglis a Bomber

After the defection of Karmichael and Israel to AFL all bets where on Greg Inglis to switch codes as well.  Given his close friendship with a number of Bomber legends and his athletic abilities it seemed to be a good match.  News quietened down on this front when it was announced to would sign with South Sydney but given all the dramas of the last few weeks I would be happy to place bets on him swapping codes.  

No NRL team can fit him in their salary caps, and any AFL team can fit him in theirs given the AFL concessions for code switching players.  I think its more than a 50/50 bet that he'll look to move to the Bombers.  The Bombers are in the process of re-inventing their cloud and I'm sure Inglis would fit into this process well 

Sydney Rovers failure great news for GWS Giants

With the recent news that A-Leagues newest franchise, the West Sydney based Sydney Rovers failed to make it into the A-League is great news for the GWS Giants.  West Sydney is a hotly contested sporting 'market' and having another competitor out of the market give GWS more supporters/sponsors available.  Good news for the AFL.

Now the Rovers are out of action, next up on the chopping block will be A-Leagues Gold Coast United, they are already just surviving but with the GC Suns starting in 2011 I doubt they'll be able to compete for the limited GC market against the Suns

afl in carins

Richmond has announced that they will play 1 game per year for the next 3 years in cairns against the GC Suns.  this is a great move by the afl to get afl into north qld but having richmond play gc is not the best move. cairns is the prefect location (and pretty much last opportunity) for north melbourne to find a second home.  afl has a long history in norht qld, rugby gets good crowds to see the cowboys play in townsville so i think 3 games per year in cairns would be a great move to spread the game north.  Richmond have plenty of supporters in melbourne and should waste their time with selling home games, on the contrast north melbourne is desperate, has few supporters and is happy selling home games

AFL / North Melbourne after the 3 year (1 game a season) trial has finish please push the roos to cairns for at least 3 to 4 games per year. that way they stay afloat financial, the game spread north, and minimal melbourne sports fans are affected

The only other locations for the Roos are country victoria, darwin, or some other part of nsw. act will have 3 to 4 gsw games so that market is taken

Whats your thoughts on north melbourne playing in north qld?

afl in ballarat - finally!!

great news from the kangaroos and the ALP this week
- pledging $30M to redevelopment North Ballarat oval to host AFL games
- up to 4 games per year for the Kangaroos

i was not a believer in the kangaroos in hobart idea, tassie already have the hawks - don;t think they can accomodate both then
- but im really sold on this
- finally AFL in country victoria!!
- yeah ballarat is not a kangaroos stronghold but 15,000 at north ballarat oval will make the kangaroos more money than 30,000 at dockland
- melbourne based roos fans can eaily travel to ballarat on the train - no harded to get to than waverly
-- so its a win for the kanagoors, ballarat, and roos fans

i'm sure the 4 games will be against the 4 lowest drawing crowd teams - GWS, Suns, Port and Freo
- but who cares - this is great new for the Kangaroos
- after all these years of looking at Canberra and Sydney to move to finally an idea that makes sense

i was hoping that the new stand would go all the way around the oval, wont look that great on tv

below at the draft plans for the precinct
showgrounds.jpg

post your comments re the redevelopment plans & roos in ballarat
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