Probably one of the best pieces I've read. Disagree with the reduction in crowds and kids playing but the rest is very poetic Quote 1.2b. Copyrighted materials * Linking to sites carrying content without the permission of the copyright owner, or mentioning how to access such material, is forbidden. * This also includes posting links to, or explaining how to access, unauthorized video or audio of copyrighted broadcasts and recordings. * When linking to official audio or video only do so to the relevant page on the official web site. Do not link to other sites or directly to a media stream as this is usually against the terms and conditions of the service. * Photographs may only be posted where you own the copyright, or have been granted permission to do so. * Brief excerpts from articles carried elsewhere, whether a web site or in print, or images captured from TV broadcasts may be posted for editorial purposes only. Copying full articles or posting video is prohibited. * If responding to comments made on another web site or in print, relevant portions may be quoted as appropriate. * When including any such material you must cite the source. '" [=redSee the warning I gave fredie on the 15 rounds thread: it applies to you as well. Putting this site in legal jeopardy by stealing someone else's copyrighted content is strictly verboten and will not be tolerated. Capisce? tb web.overland.org.au/?page_id=610

Probably one of the best pieces I've read. Disagree with the reduction in crowds and kids playing but the rest is very poetic Quote 1.2b. Copyrighted materials * Linking to sites carrying content without the permission of the copyright owner, or mentioning how to access such material, is forbidden. * This also includes posting links to, or explaining how to access, unauthorized video or audio of copyrighted broadcasts and recordings. * When linking to official audio or video only do so to the relevant page on the official web site. Do not link to other sites or directly to a media stream as this is usually against the terms and conditions of the service. * Photographs may only be posted where you own the copyright, or have been granted permission to do so. * Brief excerpts from articles carried elsewhere, whether a web site or in print, or images captured from TV broadcasts may be posted for editorial purposes only. Copying full articles or posting video is prohibited. * If responding to comments made on another web site or in print, relevant portions may be quoted as appropriate. * When including any such material you must cite the source. '" [=redSee the warning I gave fredie on the 15 rounds thread: it applies to you as well. Putting this site in legal jeopardy by stealing someone else's copyrighted content is strictly verboten and will not be tolerated. Capisce? tb web.overland.org.au/?page_id=610

interesting read. i agree how can a man living in melbourne comment on participation? out of interest are participation figures in Oz up or down compared to say ten years ago?

also arent crowds higher now than in any previous decade?

It was a cracking little article that.

The author seems to have issues. Very deep

Its all rad sad really, mostly pretentious twaddle from a deeply repressed individual.

ooops, apologies site!

For those that did read it, yes crowds are higher than all but one year and jnr numbers are up in most places are higher.

RL crowds are up big time.

we set a record of 16,200 in 2005 or 2006 and have been within 400 of that every year since.

participation numbers are through the roof.

unlike AFL or union which lie or exaggerate, we only count proper juniors with an acitve RL involvement.

as an example, a club like penrith has 8000 juniors and the number of teams in their area is growing strongly every year.

The Under 20 competition produces great players every year and has outrated Super 14 games on TV.

theres not much too complain about with RL in Oz except perhaps a couple of sydney clubs that could be moved into expansion markets.

Totalitarian regime.

yeah but that doesnt fit into the tone of the piece, which wants to be nolstagic about a lost world. pain in the when that world refuses to disappear and in fact flourishes. people with nice neat views of the world hate it when that happens.

i dont think the author even understands himself. a confused man to say the least

I am struggling to see the point being made in the article, its all nice and flowery, but really doesnt say much, other than about the author.

It seems to be touching on a discussion that's been had in various places* about possible links between aggressive male sporting activity and aggressive male behaviour in general (and towards women particularly).

From there, he seems to be questioning – albeit rather timidly – what his own enjoyment of aggressive male sport (particularly when there's a real barny on the pitch) says about him.





* There are a number of books on the subject – particularly related to gridiron.

I do remember reading an article some time ago about the huge spike in domestic violence on Superbowl Sunday in the US.

I personally think the whole issue is more to do with violent people rather than violent sports, i.e. if by inclination they are likely do commit such acts, then the sport is irellavent in any context other than they are in a better position to perpetrate the crime, or feel that they are actually too important to get into trouble for it

On this last part I am thinking of premier league footballers, NRL stars and the top players in Super League, how much they are told they are brilliant by the media, how little authority can be brought to bear on them etc. Does this have an effect on making them think they can get away with it?

The article also doesnt account for why soccer players are as bad as in any other sport, as are basketball players in the US, the physicallity of the sport I think is actually irellavent.

it is difficult to know exactly what his point is without seeing it in its context.

It appears to me to be an AFL supporter sticking the knife into the NRL but doing it subtley by linking the sport of Rl into the current attacks on NRL players over their rather dubious sexual and aggressive behaviour of the pitch.

Dont let your kids play RL or they will turn into rapists.

I have got to agree with you there DG, he specifically mentions how the ARL "cleaned itself up" too.

I'd agree. But it did seem to tap into that idea.

Additionally, I'd suggest that being able to let off steam while watching sport is a safe and useful outlet; a form of catharsis.

Quote ="JB Down Under" web.overland.org.au/?page_id=610'" ` A player such as Les Boyd - suspended for fifteen months for eye-gouging Billy Johnstone and twelve months for breaking Darryl Brohman’s jaw with his elbow - was ultimately policed out of the game; the near-homicidal vigour which made him a Rugby League champion could not be reined in sufficiently for him to remain within the sport.` He did remain within the sport - just not in Australia ?

Quote ="JB Down Under" web.overland.org.au/?page_id=610'" ` A player such as Les Boyd - suspended for fifteen months for eye-gouging Billy Johnstone and twelve months for breaking Darryl Brohman’s jaw with his elbow - was ultimately policed out of the game; the near-homicidal vigour which made him a Rugby League champion could not be reined in sufficiently for him to remain within the sport.` He did remain within the sport - just not in Australia ?