- 2142
Do you like this article? Share it with your friends.
A Rugby League View on an AFL Scandal
By Nick Tedeschi on Thu, 23/12.2010As a rugby league fan who has witnessed AFL types take the pointy end of the morality stick every time a rugby league scandal breaks, I have somewhat enjoyed the squirming down south at the St Kilda nude photo scandal.
The traditional Melbourne response to a rugby league scandal is to scold, shake the head solemnly and declare that no such behaviour would ever occur in the AFL. So insecurely protective of their turf, the Melbourne media, for the most part, refuses to acknowledge the existence of the NRL or rugby league despite rugby league being Australia’s highest rating and most watched code. The only time the NRL gets a mention in the newspapers or on radio (don’t mind television…Nine, trying to appease the AFL in order to win the next rights, refuse to put anything resembling the NRL in Melbourne pre-midnight essentially means there is no NRL on television outside of New South Wales and Queensland) is when a scandal breaks or the AFL pulls a low-rent publicity stunt by paying massive overs to lure a prominent rugby league player to switch codes. AFL fans lap it up, ignorant to the ways of their own media thanks to the insularity they crave so much.
The generalised attitude seems to be that rugby league is a brutal sport played by thugs while AFL footy is a family game played by decent, god-fearing role models. It is a wonderful fairytale that the AFL has concocted and it has certainly been swallowed hook, line and throat-filling sinker by the Melbourne AFL press.
It comes as no surprise that fewer scandals seem to break in the AFL than in the NRL. The Melbourne football media is nothing more than the publicity wing of the AFL, ever-protective of the sport, complicit in the cover-up of scandal and a party to withholding information that may damage the sport. Occasionally a scandal will break that is too big to contain, a la the Ben Cousins drama. Every now and then a sacrificial lamb is thrown to the public. His name is usually Brendan Fevola.
Such a mentality is completely foreign to the Sydney rugby league media, who collectively take an aggressive and investigative approach to the sport and the body that runs it. It is called journalism. Even though News Limited owns half the NRL, they take an antagonistic approach to reporting the game, refusing to bury a scandal or push the agenda of the NRL. If anything, The Daily Telegraph goes too far and engages in gossip-mongering and active undermining of the code.
The result is that NRL scandals get reported, make the front page and are discussed widely while AFL scandals are kept from the newspapers and the forum of public discourse. Footballers are footballers and there is very little difference between the cultures at NRL clubs and AFL clubs. It is merely the attitude towards reportage that is the difference.
It is fair to suggest that the only reason the St Kilda nude photo scandal has hit the public domain in the fashion it has is because the traditional media was circumvented. Kim Duthie has allegedly met with the AFL over 20 times and has reportedly offered the nude photos to media outlets yet outside of a few days where allegations of Duthie’s alleged pregnancy at the hand of a St Kilda player whom she allegedly met at a school function, there has been no mention of her or her story. So she went to social networking to say what she figures needs to be said.
This is not to say her story has any validity. The St Kilda players involved in the photos appear to have done nothing wrong and the allegations that Duthie stole the photos from Sam Gilbert’s laptop have certainly gathered momentum over the last 48 hours. Duthie’s erratic behaviour and low-rent motives also bring her credibility into account.
All that has very little to do with the Melbourne media’s handling of her or this scandal though. She is clearly embittered by something that occurred with the St Kilda Football Club and regardless of whether details should have been revealed, it is arguable that there is a story there that is worthy of reporting. Such a story, no matter how it plays out, clearly hurts the AFL’s family-friendly image though and needed to be squashed.
So now the AFL types writhe, battening down the hatches and marginalising the girl as some crazed spurned lover prone to lying and uncontrolled even by the courts. Perhaps she is. Perhaps she isn’t. That isn’t the point. The point is that the Melbourne football media do not have the mentality of journalists but the mentality of the AFL marketing department. The old-boys couldn’t save the AFL this time though. And now Andrew Demetriou has some idea of what it is like to be David Gallop, where journalists probe and the media does not simply exist to piss in the sport’s pocket.
More like this
Leave a comment
COPYRIGHT © 2010 Mailman.
Thebigtip is a product of the Mailman.
For information about Mailman and it’s
affiliated companies contact us.
Fantastic read. Home truths
Fantastic read.
Home truths if ever there were some.
tin foil hat much? Both the
tin foil hat much?
Both the St Kilda footy club, and this girl, clearly have issues.
We been talking bout this for
We been talking bout this for years Nick. Never truer words written. Clear as day to anyone who doesn't live in Victoria.
One need only look at the
One need only look at the 2009 alleged incident by Brendan Fevola on a Herald Sun Journalist to see the influence the AFL has. She never lodged an official complaint because to do so would have seen her ostracised as a sports journalist and her career in tatters.
Well said, the ABC could also
Well said, the ABC could also learn from this.
Well said, the ABC could also
Well said, the ABC could also learn from this.
Rugby League is not
Rugby League is not Australias highest rating and most watched code you liar. How on earth is it the most watched code When the AFL wins week in week out in tv ratings? They even win on Friday Night when the game is on delay into every city and rugby is shown live into Sydney and Brisbane. The AFL's average attendance in 2010 was over 38000. The NRL's average in 2010 was under 20000. Your 'facts' are misleading and incorrect. Get your information correct next time before you post a forum
Ah, the delight of the
Ah, the delight of the football fan from 6.59 is laughable. Now, simple sir, you need to realise that the TV ratings figures you so gleefully sight fail to take into account the regional viewrs in NSW and Qld.
The TV ratings you claim prove a win are a falsehood - they only refer to the capital city markets, and ignore the 5 million (or more) people in regional NSW and Qld, (and here is where the news gets worse for you) who DON'T WATCH AFL. At all.
You believe this because you are the insular, insecure type this article exposes. Perhaps you would like to talk about participation and junior numbers? You know the ones - the kids who are pushed into an auskick clinic by a school for 2 hours and are counted as an AFL junior for 2 years? Compare this to the honesty in the Rugby League figures - kids playing in an organised competition with registered clubs week in week out...
Get YOUR information right before you respond in a forum.
Haha you actually think rugby
Haha you actually think rugby leagues participation numbers are higher than Football's? Rugby league also includes juniors as part of their figures as well. Also rugby is only popular in 2 states whereas the AFL is popular in 5. Also how would you know that regional viewers all don't watch AFL? Do you know every person in regional NSW? Bloody idiot. Also the entire state of Tasmania and Northern Territory isn't included in the ratings, not to mention regional Victoria, SA and WA all of which are AFL dominated states. So you still think your precious rugby is more watched than our national sport of Australian Rules Football? Typical ignorant Rugby League follower crying because their sport isn't no. 1 in this country.
Haha you actually think rugby
Haha you actually think rugby leagues participation numbers are higher than Football's? Rugby league also includes juniors as part of their figures as well. Also rugby is only popular in 2 states whereas the AFL is popular in 5. Also how would you know that regional viewers all don't watch AFL? Do you know every person in regional NSW? Lmao. Also the entire state of Tasmania and Northern Territory isn't included in the ratings, not to mention regional Victoria, SA and WA all of which are AFL dominated states. So you still think your precious rugby is more watched than our national sport of Australian Rules Football? Typical ignorant Rugby League follower crying because their sport isn't no. 1 in this country.
Haha you actually think rugby
Haha you actually think rugby leagues participation numbers are higher than Football's? Rugby league also includes juniors as part of their figures as well. Also rugby is only popular in 2 states whereas the AFL is popular in 5. Also how would you know that regional viewers all don't watch AFL? Do you know every person in regional NSW? Lmao. Also the entire state of Tasmania and Northern Territory isn't included in the ratings, not to mention regional Victoria, SA and WA all of which are AFL dominated states. So you still think your precious rugby is more watched than our national sport of Australian Rules Football? Typical ignorant Rugby League follower crying because their sport isn't no. 1 in this country.
@Football Fan: Dude we get
@Football Fan: Dude we get your point the AFL is more popular than NRL in Australia. Don't post the same response 3 times though!!!
Football Fan (not verified)
Football Fan (not verified) you are truly amusing. The regional areas of the five states you claimed are largely unpopulated, certainly in comparison the New South Wales and Queensland. Your competition is centered around Port Melbourne - always has been and always will be. Now you know quite well that Victoria is but a puny little state compared to NSW and Queensland. The NT is split 50/50 in its allegiances. Your Adelaide and Perth-Fremantle are merely Victorian outpost cities. Beyond there is nothing bust sparsely populated wastelands. Channel 7 won't move Better Homes & Gardens from its 7.30pm slot because they know it rates better than VFL. Your game is certain to perish in the ever shrinking world of the 21st century. Your Eddie McQuire stated if your game fails to conquer the non VFL states then your game is a DEAD AS A DODO. Your game's shennanghans this week have exposed an uderbelly we all suspected existed and has done wonders for the VFL's image in Sydney and the Gold Coast. Your VFL is not the No 1 code and soon it will be nothing.
dont news limited own a big
dont news limited own a big chunk of NRL? & they still can't get media? Must be noone cares.
I would just like to chip in
I would just like to chip in on the NRL being the 'most watched code' claim. In 2009 195,069,000 cumulative hours were viewed for the AFL compared to 80,546,000 for the NRL. I'd say that means AFL is watched 'more'. In 2010 6,495,680 people attended AFL matches where as less than HALF that figure - 2,997,380, attended NRL matches. Lets not confuse things, ok? The NRL is VASTLY less popular than AFL.
Also this: "and declare that no such behaviour would ever occur in the AFL." is fabricated nonsense. If you want people to take your work seriously, making up claims such as this should be excluded. Have you ANY evidence at all of this being a 'traditional Melbourne response'? I can see that you've wanted to write a serious piece. You've come across as a hack.
What is wrong with this
What is wrong with this website some of my comments don't get posted! And thankyou "most watched" for supplying the real facts to this ignorant rugby league supporter who clearly has no idea. Nrl is not this countries. No.1 code and never will be. The fact of the matter is that for a code to be no.1 it needs a team playing in every mainland state in Australia. And guess what. The nrl only has teams playing in 3 out of the 5 mainland states. And you can pretty much count Melbourne storm out of this now so make it 2 out of 5 states. The AFL by 2012 will have at least 2 or more teams playing in every mainland state so that means it is our truly national sport and no.1 code. This will be helped by the new $1b tv rights coming into play from 2012 as well (something nrl could only ever dream of). Let's face it rugby league is going nowhere in this country. And the AFL is still growing into new areas. The AFL can only get bigger
This is a bit rich. Very
This is a bit rich. Very biased article from a fan of a minority football code who obviously is loving the opportunity to throw one back at the AFL.
Yes the NRL players cop all sorts of flack when they muck up, and the AFL is clearly in damage control because of silly actions by a few players.
Take your shot at AFL, by all means, but you must be kidding saying they are second fiddle. Facts tell the story here.
NRL SUCKS AFL is AWESOME and
NRL SUCKS AFL is AWESOME and the TRUEEEE National sport not this Rugby English made crap.
And NRL are full of brain damaged post concussion syndrome idiots.
Football fan.. why are you
Football fan.. why are you working yourself up into a fit over which code is more popular?
This article is about the media frauds covering up disgraceful behaviour within the AFL. Not which code is "number 1"
But I suppose, ignoring the real issue is what you people do.
I couldn't care less how many young kids in regional victoria want to play AFL or whatever you are talking about... THERE ARE AFL PLAYERS, NAKED WITH EACH OTHER, IN PHOTOS TAKEN BY A 16 YEAR OLD GIRL.. and many questions remain unanswered. So how about you spend some time questioning that, and then question why you've spent your entire life staunchly defending these bogans.
And whether she took the
And whether she took the photos or not.. she clearly has an intimate affiliation with some players.
Are you defending that football fan? Is it okay, just as long as they play for the most popular code? Idiot.
You dumbass I was never
You dumbass I was never defending the Saints players. There are two sides to ever story mate. And to be honest I don't know which side to believe. The girl has been proven to by lying in some instances where she claimed to have taken the riewoldt picture but that picture was actually taken by another saints player in a Miami hotel room.
And as for the more popular code situation. I was obviously just correcting the ignorant jealous NRL fan who claimed rugby league was no.1. In Australia! L fucking MAO right! Haha
Both AFL and NRL have
Both AFL and NRL have shameful scandals like this quite frequently. When it comes to that, they are as bad as each other. I don't agree with the naked Saints players, nor the NRL dog sex scandal.
And just to chip in my five cents worth... NRL is certainly NOT the #1 code in Australia. That title goes to the AFL. More viewers, more national (5 states/territories > 2 states), more money, more expansions in the AFL than the NRL.
Ah, football fan - you amuse
Ah, football fan - you amuse me. I'm surprised you can talk at all with every knob in the AFL crammed into your mouth. Qld and NSW combined are larger than every other state put together. The vast majorithy of people there do not watch AFL. FACT. Suck it up princess. I don't like AFL and you'll never change my mind because I can think for myself - I don't act at the instruction of the victorian media, or any other insular foolish media for that matter.
Get on with your worthless life, and have a Merry christmas and a happy new year in your (small) bubble.
Ridiculous and biased
Ridiculous and biased article. Any objective comparison of the Daily Telegraph to its sister paper in Melbourne, the Herald Sun, shows that the Sydney media is extremely biased towards the NRL and against the AFL. This really is not surprising given the shareholders of those papers are also shareholders in NRL teams.
The Daily Telegraph will regularly produce negative headlines for benign AFL stories, exaggerate negativity (eg Fevola gambling), or simply ignore relevant positive stories. They do the opposite for NRL stories, digging out the silver lining, spinning away the negativity (eg "simulated" dog raping). Daily Telegraph editor Phil Rothfield is an active and established barracker for the NRL with a transparent anti AFL agenda, there is no equivalent for the Herald Sun.
Oh, and as for these
Oh, and as for these persistent infantile delusions the NRL remotely compares with the AFL, that is only more evidence of the success of the News Ltd media in propagandizing the sport it owns and the failed logic of its fans.
In no way does the NRL get close to the popularity of the AFL, not in participation, not in ratings and certainly not in attendances. Far more people in NSW and QLD follow the AFL in those states than NRL fans give credit, and few follow the NRL outside of those states.
With regards to TV, the regional NSW TV ratings for the AFL Grand Final were bigger than what the NRL Grand Final reached in Melbourne in a better timeslot. The AFL Grand Final also reached over twice the audience in Sydney than the NRL Grand Final in Melbourne. Sydney and Brisbane were the second and third highest rating markets for the AFL Grand Final. The AFL gets much better ratings than the NRL generally. NRL fans get sucked in by the distortions and lies from people like Roy Masters into thinking otherwise.
Haha if rugby is so good then
Haha if rugby is so good then why isn't it the most attended sport in Australia Rohan? I mean like you said NSW and QLD are the majority of Australia so shouldn't nrl get bigger attendance's? Well here's news they DON'T. The AFL's average attendance doubles the NRL's. I guess people in NSW and QLD just don't get behind nrl that much. Who would follow a bogan sport anyway.
I never said any of that my
I never said any of that my simple football fan. I simply pointed out that TV ratings you see don;t tell the entire picture and I don;t care for the AFLs high and mighty attitude and a sport I (and half the country)don't enjoy. Also, rugby is not rugby league - but don't let your ignorance stand in the way of a good little tantrum. I like rugby league. You can't change my mind and I'm not trying to change yours - I make it a point not to try and improve an idiot. Go ahead - enjoy AFL till you're blue in the face, I care not what people like you and SDJ "think" (or regurgitate ad nauseum from your AFL bible).
The whole of Australia
The whole of Australia doesn't revolve around NSW and QLD mate. Also I remember going to Sydney a couple of years ago for a holiday and I was shocked at the amount of Asians and international people there. Maybe that's why their population is so big lol. And we all know that Asians don't follow either football or rugby lol. They like pussy soccer. Maybe the nrl should watch out for the a-league lol. And SDJ makes Many good points in his blog
@ Wed, 12/29/2010 - 06:13 —
@ Wed, 12/29/2010 - 06:13 — Football Fan (not verified)
Mate, you are an idiot. Not all Asians follow "pussy soccer". I for one follow and play footy (or as my fellow New South Welschmen calls it "aerial ping-pong").
Since I grew up in Sydney, I tend to agree with what Nick Tedeschi stated. (I am not going into the rating debate and the consequent flaming between RL and AR supporters since I do not have the figures. Honestly, I do not really give a damn which is more popular. Both great sports in my opinion and let's just leave it at that.)
Like the author, I was constantly bombarded with trivia sensationist news of RL players' "shenanigans". It's almost like a witchhunt and we (people in Sydney) were all getting sick of it. I cannot really agree (or disagree) with the author's view about AFL in cahoot with Victorian media. However there seems to be less news about AFL players getting into trouble (well at least for trivia things). Perhaps, AFL players are better behaved? Haha.
Anyway what happened to the story about Steven Baker and Lenny Hayes and their "rampage" in Love Machine? Can the Sainters have an off-season without players getting into trouble? It's going to take up all their Christmas and New Year wishes to get them another grand final spot....just to choke spectacularly... again. :D
Well said ABC - a rational
Well said ABC - a rational point politely stated. Football fan is simply terrified that anything doesn't meet their narrow world view and they hide this behind pathetic bravado about being number 1 (nd only existing in a tiny country) I can tell you that the point of the media in Victoria being protective of AFL stars is the absolute truth. Any member of the media that persisted in stories the AFL percieved as negative would have their AFL accreditation revoked, and in a one game town, that's a death sentence for a journo.
The whole of Australia doesn't revolve around Melbourne either, and hey football fan, there are plenty of people in Melbourne with what you would call 'international people'. It's the way it is today - get used to it. Now head to the post box and collect your one nation newsletter!
@ABC. When did I say ALL
@ABC. When did I say ALL Asians follow soccer? I said Asians like soccer. Idiot. As they would have grown up with soccer, and probay not have even known about the AFL or NRL until they came to Australia. And aerial ping pong? Lol some people in Sydney crack me up. At least you call it footy.
Gee football fan - insecure
Gee football fan - insecure much???
@anonymous. Me insecure?
@anonymous. Me insecure? Pfft!! Â The NRL and their fans are insecure. They are afraid about the AFL taking over their turf with the new teams. But they should be insecure. They have every right to be as Australian Football is Australia's national sport and it is only a matter of time before it starts winning more people in Sydney and Queensland over
Dear Football fan - all I
Dear Football fan - all I hear is blahblahblah. People don't agree with you and never will about something that is a subjective choice and not important in the broader scheme of life.
You persistant efforts to make them believe what you do reeks of insecurity.
Like what you like, and accept that others don't like what you do - or make a fool of yourself in childish flamewars. I need a laugh, and you seem like the kind of person to give me one with your xenophobic insular little mind and broad generalisations about sports you know nothing about.
But by all means, continue to amuse me until the NRL season starts.
Whatever if all you hear is
Whatever if all you hear is blah blah blah then you are a dumb fuckwit not willing to look at the big picture. The AFL is king in this country. Can you get that through your thick head? NRL is not a national sport. It is an eastern sport. The rest of Australia couldn't give a shit about NRL. The 2010 AFL GF ratings in Sydney were 410000. A record for when the swans weren't playing in the GF. Call it blah blah if you like mate. But deep down you are afraid and scared of the AFL juggernautÂ
Now it's childish name
Now it's childish name calling? At least you could try and be creative in your woeful attempts to make me laugh. AFL is king of the country for you and lots of other people.
I'm not one of them, and judging by the responses you've recieved in this thread, there are plenty of people who simply don't agree with you and don't care for the AFL at all.
It's you who seem insecure and threatened by these people - simply because they don't like what you like and think what you think.
If the AFL is so huge and all powerful, then relax and bask in your power, secure in the knowledge that everything is fine and dandy rather than abuse people for daring to express an opinion that you find contrary to your own. That sort of laziness matches your poor attempts at english - a fine match!
And for the record, I am not 'scared' of the AFL 'juggernaut'.
I think the word I would use is 'indifferent'.
Changing your name from Rohan
Changing your name from Rohan to just anonymous isn't fooling anyone mate. And I'm glad you've accepted that the AFL is king in Australia. If you look at my first post that is the point I was trying to get through to all the NRL fans thick heads. Australian Football No. 1 in Australia.
Again you prove your poor
Again you prove your poor ability to interpret the english language - but that's ok, and you can call me any name you like - I don't agree with you, but at least you're proof positive that AFL fans heads are every bit as thick as NRL fans.
AFL isn't king - I didn't vote for it! I won't watch it. I don't play it. I got over it - and if I can, so can you - or is your head too thin?
Well seeing that the AFL is
Well seeing that the AFL is the richest, most attended and most watched sporting league in Australia it is a fair call to say it is the king of all codes in Australia. Who gives a shit if you don't watch. Refusing to watch the biggest sport in Australia is your choice. I don't care if you stick to Rugby or whatever sport you like.
thanks a bunch for freedom
thanks a bunch for freedom champ.
If you look back at my first
If you look back at my first comment I was never trying to convince people that footy sadhus best sport, I was simply pointing out that tge AFL was watched by and attended by more people thanthe NRL. Np on the freedom as well.
That's true - it was the rest
That's true - it was the rest of your comments that tried to do that.
As for attendance, it's obvious that more people attend AFL games live - there's nothing else to do.
As for TV ratings, there are so many figures floating around I can cite as many contradictions to your figures as you can to mine.
Thanks again for the freedom, keep the Np!
What a biased one eyed piece
What a biased one eyed piece of eneducated piece of writing that is best scraped of the sole of your shoe with a twig. Yeah the NRL is so squeeky clean with players performing sexual acts on dogs, gang raping women then the main culprit Mathew Johns gets his own TV show...talk about sweeping that under the rug. Whoever wrote this, take your blinkers off, you are just another sad, bitter NRL fan upset that AFL is Australias game and wins in ratings and crowd attendances hands down.
AFL average home and away crowd = 36,000
NRL average game = 18,000
Ah - Scott - read the
Ah - Scott - read the article. The thrust of it is the fact that NRL players are held accountable for their behaviour by the media and crucified, but the AFL media goes in with kid gloves.
Perhaps the behaviour of AFL players is equal to that of NRL players?
Perhaps Fevolas antics and treatment of women is good?
Perhaps the sex toy carry on is ok?
Perhaps the three AFL players who near on beat a cleaner to death at fed square is ok?
Perhaps I could provide an equally disgusting act from any code you care to mention if you want to get into a little contest about bad acts?
Perhaps Sam Newman is a moral point at which you base your opinion.
It wasn't about whose players or which sport is better or more popular - it's all about the media being objective and consistant.
And get that twig out of your mouth - when you talk it smells...
As a rugby league fan I'm
As a rugby league fan I'm sorry to tell you this Nick but a Rugby League view on an AFL scandal has about as much credibility as North Korea. Perhaps you should Google the words "Stones" and "Glass houses".
That's right, "just saying'.
That's right, "just saying'. The point of the article - one that you fail to identify - is that the AFL has no business tut tutting the acts of players from other codes in a sanctimonious fashion when their own backyard is sometimes a shambles the AFL media gleefully ignores.
There was no intent to drag a code down - just a simple statement that obective journalism has a rare breath in the AFL.
The fact that the writer of
The fact that the writer of this "article' actually believes that nrl is the biggest sport in Australia proves that the NSW and QLD media are themselves biased and obviously continuing to propogate ridiculous falsehoods. The reality is AFL is by FAR the biggest watched sport in Australia because it is an Australian game. Nobody in Vic, Tas, SA, WA or the NT give a shit about a pissant pommie sport played and watched by housies, retards and bogans over east. (Yes we know you think your the centre of the universe in Sydney..... but your not) AFL has managed to drag itself out of the 60's while the nrl refuses to move forward... And that IS the reason why nrl continues to have more scandals than the AFL... When you deadheads manage to evolve away from your misogynistic / gangbanging culture....oops 'team bonding sessions' you will start having less scandals... The 1st place to start this overdue cultural development would be in at the club level where these attitudes are aquired in the 1st place....
Rugby League is un-Australian
Rugby League is un-Australian and anybody who supports it should be deported back to England
http://www.theaustralian.com.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/nrl-disputes-afl-audience...
If you want to talk about ratings etc... read this article.. and it WASN'T written by anyone involved in rugby league.. have a lovely day with your humble pie AFL people :)
Post new comment