‘It’s flattering’: Broncos great Gorden Tallis accuses AFL of ‘copying’ NRL

Gorden Tallis has taken a cheeky dig at the AFL, accusing the rival code of “copying” one of the NRL’s most successful ideas.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Gorden Tallis speaks during the Anthony Mundine media conference at the Cruise Bar on March 24, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

As rugby league gears up for “Magic Round”, Broncos great Gorden Tallis has delivered a cheeky sledge at the AFL, declaring it’s “flattering” when the rival code copies the NRL’s ideas.

Round 10 of the NRL season will see the competition converge on Brisbane with all eight games to be played at Suncorp Stadium.

Magic Round was first introduced in 2019 and it has become a much-anticipated fixture on the rugby league calendar as fans of all persuasions flock to Brisbane for the weekend.

Every game of Magic Round LIVE in HD, with no ad-breaks during play on Fox League, available on Foxtel and Kayo

The concept has been such a success the AFL followed suit with its inaugural edition of the “Gather Round” in Adelaide last month.

Unsurprisingly, it was also a raging success and the AFL extended Adelaide’s hosting rights for the festival of footy for another three years.

But speaking to news.com.au ahead of Magic Round, Tallis said the AFL was “copying” the NRL and laughed while pointing out Gather Round was held “at three different locations”.

Rugby league fans were quick to criticise the AFL’s Gather Round, arguing it failed to fit the brief because every game of the round wasn’t played at the one venue.

Gorden Tallis says it’s flattering the AFL is copying the NRL. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

The games were held at the Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and Mount Barker for turf maintenance reasons, but NRL fans thought it defeated the purpose of being able to watch every game with a single ticket.

“I think it’s a great concept, to the point where other codes are following it,” Tallis said of Magic Round.

“I wouldn’t say they’re (the AFL) doing a bad job but it’s great they’re copying us.

“It’s flattering. It’s flattering when you walk in and someone tries to dress and act like you. But there can only be one original. Only one.”

There’s no love lost between the rival footy codes.

The NRL has already had a dig at the AFL, advertising in Adelaide during Gather Round that “real footy” was coming to the city for State of Origin Game I later this month.

Tallis, who won three premierships with the Broncos, is a huge fan of the Magic Round concept and the sight of fans of all teams watching games together.

“I love it,” he said recalling seeing “a guy in a Newcastle jersey, a guy in a Raiders and a Manly jersey sitting there hugging and laughing and they were barracking for St George against another team.

What a spot to watch eight games of rugby league. Photo: Brisbane Economic Development Agency.

“It’s actually really cool that the rugby league community can get there and your mates can support another team on the weekend and you can watch them,” Tallis added.

“Normally if your mate follows one team, he always wants you to go watch them.”

All four Queensland teams face competitive opponents, as the Cowboys look to rescue their season on Sunday against the Sydney Roosters.

In other games, the Sharks will be desperate for win against the Dolphins and the Tigers will be chasing consecutive wins against the struggling Dragons.

Magic Round schedule (all times AEST)

Bulldogs vs Raiders — Friday 6pm

Manly Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos — Friday 8.05pm

NZ Warriors vs Penrith — Saturday 3pm

Cronulla Sharks vs Dolphins — Saturday 5.30pm

Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs — Saturday 7.45pm

Wests Tigers vs Dragons — Sunday 1.50pm

Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys — Sunday 4pm

Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels — Sunday 6.25pm

Originally published as ‘It’s flattering’: Broncos great Gorden Tallis accuses AFL of ‘copying’ NRL