NRL boss Peter V’landys has slammed claims the AFL is taking over Sydney after last week’s contrasting attendances in the Moore Park precinct.
A huge crowd of 44,053 fans packed in the SCG to watch the Swans book their spot in the grand final with a big win over Port Adelaide.
Next door at Allianz Stadium, a crowd of just 19,124 turned up to see the Sharks end their finals drought with victory over the Cowboys.
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The SCG holds slightly more people with a capacity of 48,000 to the 45,500 at Allianz.
The disparity led to many claiming the AFL will soon be the No.1 sport in the city.
Leading AFL journalist and commentator Mark Robinson said on Fox Footy: “It’s a reminder of the giant footprint that AFL is putting into NSW. Before we’re dead, AFL will take over the rugby league. I’m telling you.”
But V’landys was quick to shoot down that comment as “delusional”.
When asked on Channel 9 if he sees the AFL as a threat, V’landys said: “None at all, I think that’s a delusional comment whoever made that comment.”
“Facts are facts and the AFL has not got the viewers in NSW like rugby league has.
“I mean, sometimes they get 23,000 viewers on TV out of Sydney. We get a million. So it’s a bit hard to say that you’re going to take over when you’re that far behind.
“Look, and it’s the same for us in Victoria. We’re not going to take Victoria over, either. That’s fact as well.
“None of the facts and none of the figures could go near that statement. So it’s a ridiculous statement to make because it’s certainly ill-informed.”
In terms of national TV numbers, the AFL has performed considerably better than the NRL so far in the finals.
The Geelong-Brisbane preliminary final on Saturday night achieved a national TV audience of 1,322,000, while the Sydney-Port Adelaide clash on Friday night hit 1,183,000.
The two NRL semi-finals drew 845,000 (Sharks-Cowboys) and 821,000 (Roosters-Sea Eagles).
Meanwhile, the AFL is bracing for a record TV audience in Saturday’s grand final between Sydney and Brisbane.
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