‘Ridiculous and ill-informed’: NRL kingpin rubbishes ‘delusional’ AFL claim

Footy’s code wars have kicked off again, with NRL boss Peter V’landys hitting back at claims the NRL is being embarrassed by the AFL.

NRL boss Peter V’landys has hit back at claims the AFL is taking over Sydney following criticism of a rugby league finals crowd last weekend.

A contrast in crowds in Sydney last Friday night in the same Moore Park precinct have led many to believe the AFL is strengthening its foothold in the Harbour City.

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With the Sydney Swans’ preliminary final against Port Adelaide at the 48,000-seat capacity SCG and the Sharks facing the North Queensland Cowboys at the 45,500-seat Allianz Stadium in the same Moore Park precinct, it was a clear win for the AFL.

The SCG was a sea of red as 44,053 turned out to see the Swans book their place in the AFL Grand Final next Saturday afternoon, where they’ll face Brisbane in the decider.

The Sharks, meanwhile, snapped an eight-game finals losing streak with the 26-18 win in front of just 19,124 fans, or around 42 per cent capacity.

While fans were quick to roast the scenes, the NRL’s struggles were also pointed out by AFL commentator Brian Taylor on the Channel 7 broadcast.

“Lovely scenes here at the SCG, of course prelim finals,” Taylor said.

Swans games at the SCG have become the hottest ticket in town. Photo: Phil Hillyard.

The aerial view of the NRL semi-final next door. Photo: Fox Sports

“Next door, an NRL game looks half empty there about 10,000 people. The SCG absolutely packed out. Amazing. Give some attention to Aussie rules up here, it’s going pretty well I reckon.”

It came after AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson said last week the success of the Swans and the Giants was proof Aussie Rules was in a good place in NSW.

“Right now, the AFL, the sport of Australian Rules is as healthy in NSW as it is in any other state,” Robinson said.

“The SCG is a fantastic place to watch football.

“It’s a reminder of the giant footprint that AFL is putting into NSW.

“Before we’re dead, AFL will take over the rugby league. I’m telling you.”

But V’landys, the ARL Commission chairman, rubbished claims the NRL was losing the battle to AFL in rugby league heartland.

“I think that’s a delusional comment,” V’landys said on Nine’s 100% Footy in the latest chapter to the footy code wars.

“Facts are facts and the AFL has not got the viewers in NSW like rugby league has.

“Sometimes they get 23,000 viewers on TV out of Sydney. We get a million. So it’s a bit hard to say that you’re going to take over when you’re that far behind.

“It’s the same for us (NRL) in Victoria – we’re not going to take Victoria over either. That’s fact as well. None of the facts and none of the figures could go near that statement. So it’s a ridiculous statement to make because it’s certainly ill informed.”

AFL commentator Brian Taylor pointed out the crowd difference.

Peter V'landys wasn’t having it. Picture: David Clark

From their 13 homes games at the SCG this year, the Swans have averaged a crowd of 39,036.

The Swans will take on Brisbane in Saturday’s Grand Final as they aim to win their first premiership since 2012.

The NRL semi-final on Saturday between Manly and the Roosters at Allianz Stadium drew a crowd of 40,818.

To put the NRL numbers in context, it was always going to be an issue getting a packed house at Allianz Stadium for the Sharks vs Cowboys game.

Of the 10 teams with membership numbers reported on the NRL’s official site, the Sharks have the lowest tally at 16,511 — the Cowboys are second lowest at 19,753.

However, teams such as the Titans and Sea Eagles, who have had fewer members than both those teams, were not reported on the NRL website.

Lots of empty seats up the top. Photo: Fox Sports

The SCG was packed. Photo: Fox Sports

After the loss to the Melbourne Storm in the opening week of the finals, the Sharks also pleaded with the NRL to host the semi-final at its home ground of PointsBet Stadium, which has a capacity of 13,500.

Throughout the week, tickets were also being given away with Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston buying $10,000 worth of tickets for Queensland fans living in NSW.

However, the attendance still fell well short of capacity, much to the disappointment of viewers.

Sydney Morning Herald sports writer Christian Nicolussi wrote: “PACKED HOUSE: Not. This game should have been at PointsBet.”

Mancave Sports Australia added: “NRL vs AFL tonight and AFL has won the attendance by a country mile.”

Sport administrator Ben Howard tweeted: “Quite a few Cowboys fans but honestly the Sharks should be embarrassed by that figure. No fans and a ground not fit for the NRL, ship them off to Adelaide and be done with it.”

Another fan commented: “V’Landys gives Cronulla Sharks so many favours with very soft draws & biased referee & bunker decisions in their favour & this is how their fans repay the #NRL with zero crowd in #Sydney. So much favours for no return. They offer no value in SYD relocate them.”

Another posted: “Pretty sad looking crowd at Allianz tonight for the #NRLSharksCowboys semi-final.”

A self-proclaimed Wests Tigers tragic wrote: “Wow, absolutely embarrassing crowd at Allianz, worst finals crowd I’ve ever seen, what a shame.”

Another fan said: “Sharks should be relocated. Diabolically embarrassing crowd.”

Another fan put a positive spin on the attendance, writing: “Sharks CEO wanted to lock out more than 7000 fans if this game was at Shark Park. Crowd still not great but 19k is better than 12k.”

— With Andrew McMurtry

Originally published as ‘Ridiculous and ill-informed’: NRL kingpin rubbishes ‘delusional’ AFL claim