The National Rugby League has hit back at the AFL’s aggressive expansion policy announcing plans to play two Rugby League matches at the MCG every weekend from 2019. What’s more interesting, is that for the first time anywhere, two Rugby League matches will be played concurrently.
Plans are that the opening of the 2020 season will feature a Quadruple Header with four games played, two concurrently at a time in a Rugby League extravaganza the likes of which the world has never seen.
The NRL believe it’s set to revolutionise the code, and find a new market amongst hardened AFL fans.
The AFL has adopted an ‘adapt or die’ strategy that has seen it remodel and mould the game in an attempt to claw the NRL’s revenue. The National Rugby League now sees it’s time to hit back.
And the NRL is pulling out all stops with top billed teams Storm v Roosters and Brisbane v St George.
AFL fans and commentators are said to be heartbroken, confused and dismayed at the move, which is gaining traction.
The State Government Of Victoria and the Federal Government are set to approve the plans, believing that public grounds are there to serve all members of the public whether and that necessarily involves widening the scope of sports played at a particular venue.
But staunch proponents of AFL are outraged that their arch nemesis NRL might be played at the home of AFL: the MCG.
Long time AFL commentator and Collingwood President Eddie McGuire said whilst wiping away tears, “Not the Old Girl, the Jewel in the Crown, the Pride of Melbourne, the Home of Sport, the MCG…”
