The reference to the riots was a 'hypothetical situation'. No one was trying to 'drag anything down' or upset anyone. I had previously said, 'a whole bunch of dominoes need to fall' etc etc. gAf was simply having a lash at showing what kinds of things might have to happen. God mate, it was totally obvious that it was tongue in cheek. To take it seriously, AND call someone a 'complete idiot' over it, is about as immature a response as you could have given. And it was the second time you'd 'had a go'.

You can't seriously argue that the AFL has any 'more' problems than any other code in the country on a per capita/senior level involvement basis. And you can't argue that the AFL doesn't have the time, money and resources to make a bit of a sortie into South Africa. You are kidding yourself if you think the AFL is in such bad shape, mate. Everyone knows there are problems. And I'm sure we all hope they are being addressed. But the AFL IS able to do two things at once.

No one here (who is over 12) has suggested that AFL is going to 'take over the world' or 'be bigger than soccer'. You brought that up as if it was some sort of fact! No one here is even suggesting AFL might knock off a dominant sport in another country! So it might be an idea to pull your head in and read the actual thread instead of seeing red over two or three words that aren't even together in a sentence.

Right son? Now time for beddy-byes.

It was an international sport before WW1.



You are calling ME the idiot. Maybe you should learn to read and you will be able to comprehend the fact that i was pointing out that the future can be predicted by certain events, and that they can be triggered by events of today. The 'banning of soccer in italy' is one hypothetical situation that could occur in the future.
I believe it will soon be the biggest sport in the world???? hahahaha....heres another hypothetical situation, again it is a hypothetical situation, NOT something i actually believe WILL happen. It is hypothetical:

By 2070, Australian football had developed strong professional leagues across the world with the current strong leagues being in Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, the USA and Aregentina. 2015 had brought huge progress to Australias indigenous game with the wide spread use of internet broadcasted tv quickly spreading the game throughout the world. In the 20 years after, every country in the world developed a league and the game quickly overtook the rugby codes in popularity. Schools were using it to teach the students not suited to soccer how to participate in sport, and by 2058 was soon challenging soccer on tv, while still a minor participation sport. Australia lost its first international game in 2018 by 4 goals to a gallant Ireland, and were beaten soon after by the USA and SA. The first three world cups saw Australia win, but they didnt make the GF in 2035.

This is why it won't work there no really relationship between the game and the lives of South African society. You can try force feed them all you like the fact of the matter is that other sport codes play a much bigger influence in there culture.

It's really taking off!

Right. So matching the crowd numbers from a few of the RL games from last season is disappointing, eh? Even despite the weather!

heheh

So, I see 3500 spectators... not bad at all... far from the 30,000 the AFL has predicted for 2009... spectators also thought they were watching another code !?!?
Time to stop being hypothetical and start being more realistic...
Im sure that 'geelongAREfootball' also thinks his actually with a woman when Miss Palmer and the five daughters visit...

Realistically: Football has already cemented its position firmly as the number one code in Australia. Now for SA.

The AFL is spending a lot of money on developing youths in the disadvantaged areas of SA. By 2009 there will be 30,000 participants in the footywild program and in teams. Soccer sweeps thorugh in 2010 and takes about 5000 of these numbers as they will primarily focus on the white upper class areas. 30, 000 is about the same as Tassie i think. They have two very good leagues set up there. Same can be done in SA. The game will grow in these indigenous areas and the white SA will also embrace when the game is televised on tv as they may see it as a compromise between white rugby and black soccer.
The SA will get a team in the WAFL which will significantly help growth. Dont knwo when though.
Getting further ahead. The SAAFL will probably spread from SA to other countries in Africa, and create a strong African competition. From there i dont know. Thats a very general straight to the point realistic view.

That's being more realistic... I cant see it happening though but thats just my point of view...
Hopefully your right and the AFL can grow (in SA) which in turn will hopefully make the AFL look at the problems it has here and make the league a professional product (as mentioned previously, each team playing each other home & away etc)...

We will have to wait and see...

The point is that much of South Africa does not have an entrenched football code and the AFL are taking the game at junior level to these areas. The AFL only needs 1 out of 100 out of the 40 odd million and its swelled its talent base and spectator interest.

But then again no matter what I say, it wont make a difference, So why dont you go and play somewhere else, you know in a sport you're interested in.

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Redb

the weather is the first thing Sydney people (in particular) claim as the reason people didn't turn up. They do this is the soccer as well. or it was a good beach day...heheheh...either way they've got a ready made excuse.

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redb