TOPIC:

Arkroyal said:
I refer to the phenomenon of GWS as 'the Newsouthwalesisation' of football, and of course the same concept can be applied to the AFL's policy towards Queensland. I use the word 'policy' deliberately too, as the aim, as others have pointed out on the thread with aplomb, is nothing less than then the conquering of the non-football states for their code.

Only time will tell whether the 'policy' will be successful or whether, even more importantly from our perspective, the 'policy' will lead to the destruction of football in the traditional states over the coming decades.

You are right in what you say, its quite concerning the lengths they have gone to so that GWS will be successful, and they will be very successful in the near future for sure. The danger comes after the success and if not remaining competetive, all the flow of young talent away from traditional states will be wasted. I cant see how GWS/Sydney can both survive and prosper in NSW the same as I cant see Brisbane/gold Coast prospering in Queensland.

The same way the AFL have been propping up the Swans with COLA and their acadimies it's no secret they havnt bottomed out for years, the early nineties they were putrid and they struggled with crowds.

It's an absolute disgrace the concessions GWS have got.

Time will tell as Giants line up next weekend.

UNKA2 wrote:

Peter North wrote:

Swandog wrote:

mikeh wrote: Watching the GWS v Hawthorn game this afternoon, I got the sense that here were two teams heading in opposite directions. The Hawks have been fantastic over the past 4 or 5 years but they have had 3 very lucky victories this year and today they have been blown out of the water by a team very much on the rise. Can't really call the end of a dynasty on one game but I cannot remember the last time they were taken apart like they have been today.

Great to hear of two Swans products doing so well..but write the Hawks off at your peril, they will still be there when it matters most and that isn't in April, love it how after one loss everyone from the media down start jumping to conclusions

Absolutely agree about the Hawks, whilst GWS played well the Hawks didn't look switched on and played bruise free footy, this game gets played at the Mcg it would be a different result.

Of course , playing at the g is a 75 point home ground advantage isnt it

Get yer point unk and I think you're right. But if premiership favourites were picked in April I reckon it would be a 3 way tie - Cats, Hawks and COLA. It'll be a long gruelling season and I think the others have a lot of work to do.

GWS may win a flag in the next couple of years, but once their concessions disappear and players move for more money because they wont be able to keep all of them they will end up like Brisbane irrelevant with their whole supporter base of 5 supporters.