Wednesday, August 8th

Dylan Leach
AFLX-TINCT

The sport nobody wanted, nobody needed and nobody loved is dead.

AFLX IS GONE. 

The AFL yesterday confirmed that AFLX is no more after telling club CEOs that it won’t be happening in 2020 to allow clear air and exposure for the AFLW season.

It’s fair to say that AFLX wasn’t liked by anyone except for the marketing team.

Many thought its tacky rules, zany team names Zooper goals, Gatorade game-changers, pink/grey footy’s, playing on rectangular fields was a silly waste of time.

https://twitter.com/NedsAus/status/1158636382232834048?s=20

Turns out the many were spot on.

AFL footy boss told the club CEO’s yesterday that

“There are four new clubs entering the AFLW competition for 2020, and the AFL’s on-field priority next year is to ensure the right emphasis and resources are in place to ensure the women’s competition continues to build on the success of the first three seasons,” he said.

“In addition, the AFL is assessing the full preseason program for clubs and ways we can ensure the players and clubs are in the best condition in the lead-up to the premiership season.

“This was a constant message in our recent mid-season reviews with the clubs.”

Savour this moment, the AFL got something right. 

Bet now: AFL
NRL CLUBS WILLING TO PAY HIGH PRICE FOR HOOKER

Just where will premiership-winning hooker Api Koroisau play?

With a $1.5 million decision in the balance two clubs – the Warriors and the Bulldogs are vying for his services.

Koroisau is contracted to Manly until the end of 2021 but the club has given him permission to discuss options with rivals.

He looks a  dead cert to leave the beautiful Northern Beaches of Sydney by the end of the year. 

It is now down to the Warriors and Bulldogs for his services.

Reports suggest that the Tigers and Sharks enquired but weren’t willing to pay what he was asking for. 

The Warriors are willing to splash the cash whereas the Bulldogs may not fork out all the money but the advantage would mean he would not have to leave Sydney.

Manly may still need to pay some of his wages due to salary cap pressures.

Watch this space. 

 

Bet now: NRL
WHO GIVES AN FFA CUP?

It’s a matter of “Old Soccer” v “New Football” tonight as the third and final week of the FFA Cup gets underway tonight.

Will we have a cupset on the cards?

Much interest amongst followers of our own version of the World game as former NSL Giants the Melbourne Knights take on Adelaide United at their old ground Knights Stadium in the Western Melbourne suburb of Sunshine. 

The Melbourne Knights are the club that gave us Mark Viduka, won a fair few NSL titles and the bookies have them at $8 to beat the Reds on their home deck.

Meanwhile, the old Brisbane Strikers host Wellington Phoenix at Brisbane’s Perry Park tonight.

Given the Nix aren’t known for taking the FFA Cup seriously the Strikers are at $3.65 to cause a Cup-set. 

There are also three other games all involving A-League clubs but no one really cares.

 

 

Bet now: FFA Cup