NRL Chair Peter V'Landys Launches Fresh Attack on AFL
Australian rugby league chair Peter V'Landys is on a relentless campaign against the AFL, making bizarre claims and mocking the rival code's initiatives. After a recent flight incident, V'Landys took a swipe at the AFL, and now, 24 hours later, he is targeting its State of Origin and Gather Round events.
Mocking AFL's State of Origin History
During an appearance on Triple M's Mick in the Morning show, V'Landys questioned the AFL's State of Origin concept, which dates back to the late 1800s. "Well firstly, can you explain what AFL is?" he said. "How can they have a State of Origin? It's all in Victoria, most of the games, aren't they?"
This comment is particularly odd given the AFL's national presence, with teams in five out of Australia's six states and plans for a Tasmania team. In contrast, the NRL lacks teams in Tasmania and South Australia, with only a recent addition in Perth set for 2027. Notably, 10 out of 17 NRL teams are in New South Wales, while the AFL has 10 teams in Victoria out of 18.
Claims of Copying and Forcing Innovation
V'Landys asserts that the AFL has copied the NRL's marquee events and credits himself with pushing the AFL to innovate. "As you say, competition lifts all boats. It's actually lifted the AFL ... they've come out of their slumber," he claimed. He also mocked the AFL's Gather Round, introduced in 2023, comparing it to the NRL's Magic Round. "What's this Gather Round? What are they gathering? Rocks of stones. They've copied Magic Round."
Response from AFL Fans and Media
Front Bar star Mick Molloy, an avid AFL fan, responded to V'Landys's constant baiting. "You love kicking Victoria in the balls, you really do," Molloy said on his Triple M show. "You like taking a big chunk out of the Melbourne sporting market, don't you?" Many sports fans have suggested that the AFL "lives rent free" in V'Landys's head, with social media users noting his frequent digs.
Las Vegas Experiment and Viewership Boost
V'Landys highlighted the success of the NRL's Las Vegas opening round, claiming it increased American viewership. "We've gone up about 90 per cent in sales for the 'Watch NRL' (on the app), which is a big jump," he said. He attributed this to the publicity generated by Vegas, making it the highest-rating round of the season in Australia and attracting casual fans to become engaged viewers.
Historical Context of State of Origin
The concept of state rivalry in Australian Rules football originated in the late 1800s, with the first intercolonial match between Victoria and South Australia in 1879. The Australian Football Carnivals in the 1900s were major events, evolving into State of Origin in the 1970s, predating rugby league's first official State of Origin match in 1980. Despite this history, V'Landys finds it amusing and believes the AFL is imitating the NRL.
V'Landys regularly throws barbs at the AFL, often claiming the NRL is Australia's number one sport. His latest comments continue to fuel the rivalry between the two codes, sparking debate among fans and media alike.
