Joey believes it's time for a new Queensland halfback: Immortal Behaviour Ep11
Allana Ferguson and Andrew Johns break down the Game 1 of State of Origin! Joey explains why he thinks the Moses-Cleary combination was successful, and what the squad will look like in Perth. Do the Maroons need to make major changes? The Knights legend believes it may be time for Daly Cherry-Evans to step down from Origin. Plus, what is going on with the recent Lachlan Galvin news.
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Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Origin of the AFL's great challenge: What AFLW can learn from the NRL
Those numbers are impressive – not quite Married at First Sight level, but large enough that if a single AFLW game came within cooee, the AFL would be doing cartwheels (as distinct from customary backflips) and telling us all about it. So, herein lies the nub of one of the AFL's greatest challenges/problems, which will prove more important to the code's future prosperity than the tribunal's travails, Tom de Koning's call or whatever Smith posted on Instagram. The AFLW's lack of marquee events. The AFL is more successful than the NRL on most fronts – crowds, sponsors, participation and relative spread of tentacles. The AFL has clubs that make the NRL look like minnows, on the measures of bums on seats and intensity of followings. But the broadcast ratings is one facet that is heavily contested, in which the omnipresent Peter V'landys can spruik that 'rugba league' has the edge. Whatever one makes of the competing claims regarding TV audiences, it is clear that State of Origin represents the NRL's greatest advantage – and point of product differentiation. This has become even greater due to the rise of women's State of Origin. Further, the ratings for each code's 2024 W grand finals show that the AFL is some goals behind and kicking into the wind. The AFL just released a meat-and-three-vegetables fixture for the AFLW last week. Highlights? A reprise of Carlton v Collingwood as the season opener, some double-headers, and little else that garnered media attention. If the AFLW fixture was an election campaign by a political party, it would be labelled a small target strategy. To avoid continued stagnation in the growth of the women's league (as distinct from growth in grassroots women's footy, which has boomed), the AFL has a desperate need for events that would be a rejoinder to rugby league's Origin franchise. So, what are the options – bearing in mind that the AFL needs at least two major event games for women? TELEVISION AUDIENCES FOR AFLW AND NRLW AFLW grand final, 2024 Total national reach (peak): 1.048 million National average: 379,000 BVOD (Broadcast Video on Demand): 17,000 NRLW grand final 2024 Total national reach (peak): 1.473m National average: 697,000 BVOD: 102,000 *The NRLW grand final was a curtain-raiser before the men's grand final at night. NRLW State of Origin 1 Total national reach (peak): 1.897m National average: 992,000 BVOD: 189,000 NRLW State of Origin 2 Total national reach (peak): 2.079m National average: 1.088m BVOD: 203,000 1. A grand final curtain-raiser Some months ago, Essendon president and television executive David Barham proposed to the AFL that they consider playing the AFLW grand final as a curtain-raiser to the men's grand final (as the NRL/W does). This would ensure the season climax an automatic peak or even average audience of more than two million viewers, and build the occasion; naturally, it would also mean pushing the opening of the W season earlier, to around the bye period of rounds 12 to 14. Both Seven and Fox Footy stand to gain from two or three marquee 'W' event games. 2. Grand final during the bye before men's grand final If that curtain raiser concept faces opposition from those who contend that the AFLW cannot be subsumed by the men, and that their grand final must stand alone, an alternative that this column has proposed is to play the AFLW grand final in the middle of a bye weekend between the (men's) preliminary finals and grand final. This would mean scrapping the pre-finals bye and replacing it with a fortnight's break before the grand final, which would also reduce the risks of gun players missing the grand final via concussion protocols. 3. All-star representative games State of Origin originated with the native game, but the NRL stole the franchise (from the then VFL) and produced an improved and superior product. Apple didn't invent the smartphone, but look where they've taken it. NSW v Queensland, of course, works in a way that the more geographically diverse AFL cannot emulate. South Australia and Western Australia aren't anywhere near Victoria's football size or depth, and, as Queensland's grassroots grows, a reprise of State of Origin is difficult. Too many players are excluded from a state v state, mate v mate Origin framework in the modern AFL. But the AFL can still trial an All-Star game, pitting two teams of elite players against each other. It might be Daisy Pearce's team versus Erin Phillips'. Or East versus West. Seven could televise the selection of the teams, as if this was a reality TV show. Such a game would allow the elite players to show their skills, raising the standard of footy and the horizons of the entire competition that expanded too rapidly; for those knockers of the AFLW and fans who don't follow their own club closely, this would be a glimpse of the future. 4. International rules: Australia versus Ireland This has been mooted as a potential event for the AFLW, and it would be easier than the men's version because there are so many Irish players scattered among the AFLW cohort (33 at last count); you wouldn't need many to travel out from Ireland. It's conceivable that they could compete in a game that is entirely Australian rules – which would be groundbreaking, and more so if the Irish managed to beat the Aussies at our own game. Whichever option is most feasible, the goal must be to maximise the audience and to grow interest in the women's game. Women's tennis reached parity with the men and became the most commercially successful women's individual sport globally by dint of historical quirks, and pioneers such as Billie Jean King.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Origin of the AFL's great challenge: What AFLW can learn from the NRL
Those numbers are impressive – not quite Married at First Sight level, but large enough that if a single AFLW game came within cooee, the AFL would be doing cartwheels (as distinct from customary backflips) and telling us all about it. So, herein lies the nub of one of the AFL's greatest challenges/problems, which will prove more important to the code's future prosperity than the tribunal's travails, Tom de Koning's call or whatever Smith posted on Instagram. The AFLW's lack of marquee events. The AFL is more successful than the NRL on most fronts – crowds, sponsors, participation and relative spread of tentacles. The AFL has clubs that make the NRL look like minnows, on the measures of bums on seats and intensity of followings. But the broadcast ratings is one facet that is heavily contested, in which the omnipresent Peter V'landys can spruik that 'rugba league' has the edge. Whatever one makes of the competing claims regarding TV audiences, it is clear that State of Origin represents the NRL's greatest advantage – and point of product differentiation. This has become even greater due to the rise of women's State of Origin. Further, the ratings for each code's 2024 W grand finals show that the AFL is some goals behind and kicking into the wind. The AFL just released a meat-and-three-vegetables fixture for the AFLW last week. Highlights? A reprise of Carlton v Collingwood as the season opener, some double-headers, and little else that garnered media attention. If the AFLW fixture was an election campaign by a political party, it would be labelled a small target strategy. To avoid continued stagnation in the growth of the women's league (as distinct from growth in grassroots women's footy, which has boomed), the AFL has a desperate need for events that would be a rejoinder to rugby league's Origin franchise. So, what are the options – bearing in mind that the AFL needs at least two major event games for women? TELEVISION AUDIENCES FOR AFLW AND NRLW AFLW grand final, 2024 Total national reach (peak): 1.048 million National average: 379,000 BVOD (Broadcast Video on Demand): 17,000 NRLW grand final 2024 Total national reach (peak): 1.473m National average: 697,000 BVOD: 102,000 *The NRLW grand final was a curtain-raiser before the men's grand final at night. NRLW State of Origin 1 Total national reach (peak): 1.897m National average: 992,000 BVOD: 189,000 NRLW State of Origin 2 Total national reach (peak): 2.079m National average: 1.088m BVOD: 203,000 1. A grand final curtain-raiser Some months ago, Essendon president and television executive David Barham proposed to the AFL that they consider playing the AFLW grand final as a curtain-raiser to the men's grand final (as the NRL/W does). This would ensure the season climax an automatic peak or even average audience of more than two million viewers, and build the occasion; naturally, it would also mean pushing the opening of the W season earlier, to around the bye period of rounds 12 to 14. Both Seven and Fox Footy stand to gain from two or three marquee 'W' event games. 2. Grand final during the bye before men's grand final If that curtain raiser concept faces opposition from those who contend that the AFLW cannot be subsumed by the men, and that their grand final must stand alone, an alternative that this column has proposed is to play the AFLW grand final in the middle of a bye weekend between the (men's) preliminary finals and grand final. This would mean scrapping the pre-finals bye and replacing it with a fortnight's break before the grand final, which would also reduce the risks of gun players missing the grand final via concussion protocols. 3. All-star representative games State of Origin originated with the native game, but the NRL stole the franchise (from the then VFL) and produced an improved and superior product. Apple didn't invent the smartphone, but look where they've taken it. NSW v Queensland, of course, works in a way that the more geographically diverse AFL cannot emulate. South Australia and Western Australia aren't anywhere near Victoria's football size or depth, and, as Queensland's grassroots grows, a reprise of State of Origin is difficult. Too many players are excluded from a state v state, mate v mate Origin framework in the modern AFL. But the AFL can still trial an All-Star game, pitting two teams of elite players against each other. It might be Daisy Pearce's team versus Erin Phillips'. Or East versus West. Seven could televise the selection of the teams, as if this was a reality TV show. Such a game would allow the elite players to show their skills, raising the standard of footy and the horizons of the entire competition that expanded too rapidly; for those knockers of the AFLW and fans who don't follow their own club closely, this would be a glimpse of the future. 4. International rules: Australia versus Ireland This has been mooted as a potential event for the AFLW, and it would be easier than the men's version because there are so many Irish players scattered among the AFLW cohort (33 at last count); you wouldn't need many to travel out from Ireland. It's conceivable that they could compete in a game that is entirely Australian rules – which would be groundbreaking, and more so if the Irish managed to beat the Aussies at our own game. Whichever option is most feasible, the goal must be to maximise the audience and to grow interest in the women's game. Women's tennis reached parity with the men and became the most commercially successful women's individual sport globally by dint of historical quirks, and pioneers such as Billie Jean King.
7NEWS
8 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Daly Cherry-Evans sends emphatic message to Origin critics as Sea Eagles hammer Broncos
Daly Cherry-Evans has sent a message to his State of Origin critics, producing his best match in months to lead Manly to a 34-6 win over Brisbane. Three days after Queensland's loss left questions over his spot in the Maroons' side, Cherry-Evans set up three tries in the Sea Eagles' win at Brookvale. Lehi Hopoate was also superb filling in for Tom Trbojevic at fullback, while winger Haumole Olakau'atu scored a double to send Manly back into the top eight. The result consigned Brisbane to their sixth loss in seven games, with the Broncos in freefall and out of a finals-finishing position for the first time this year. But the story was Cherry-Evans, who turned in his best performance since announcing in March that he is leaving the Sea Eagles at year's end. The 36-year-old combined brilliantly with Hopoate, and was back involved in everything for the Sea Eagles. The half kicked in the lead-up to three tries, routinely booted Manly out of trouble, and had the Sea Eagles' right edge back playing with depth again. Crucially, the Maroons skipper's outing came hours after his rival for the Queensland No.7 spot, Tom Dearden, starred in the Cowboys' win over Wests Tigers. Cherry-Evans laid on Manly's first try when he grubbered for Clayton Faulalo, and Jesse Arthars failed to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal. Faulalo's second try came when Cherry-Evans sent the ball right and Hopoate fired a perfect cut-out ball for the winger to go over. It was one of several highlights for Faulalo, who twice kept the ball in play by popping it up in the air as he ran out like a cricket fielder on the boundary. Nathan Brown was the next to benefit from Cherry-Evans' kicking game, with the big prop chasing down a grubber for his first try since 2022. And when Cherry-Evans toed one ahead for Hopoate and the fullback sent Haumole Olakau'atu over on halftime, it was 22-6 and the halfback had made a statement. This was also close to Olakau'atu's best game since March, with a number of powerful runs to go with his passing game on the right edge. He had a second try late to seal the match, leaping up to take a Luke Brooks kick and dive over the line. Hopoate was the other star, setting the tone when he burst through a Payne Haas tackle in the opening set, before finishing the night with 228 metres. Haas was gallant for Brisbane three nights after being man of the match in Origin on a torn quad, but the spark is clearly missing from the Broncos attack. Ezra Mam had his moments, but he still made three errors and was booed by the Brookvale hill with every touch of the ball. Jesse Arthars had limited impact at fullback, as did Selwyn Cobbo on the wing, with the Broncos a long way removed from the team that ran in 50 points in round one.
