What would you prefer to see? Benji Marshall and Jarryd Hayne competing against each other, or Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau attempting to play AFL?
This is the choice that footy fans face now, as the Wests Tigers and Parramatta have declared a challenge against the southern code in a fight for dominance in western Sydney. The two teams have decided to shift their trial match from the Central Coast to Campbelltown on February 19.
Consequently, this means that their game will clash directly with the scheduled AFL NAB Cup trials, which will feature the Sydney Swans, the Gold Coast Suns, and the newly formed GWS Giants team.
According to former Tigers legend Benny Elias, the decision to confront the AFL directly has been a long time coming.
“The AFL would undoubtedly be upset,” Elias stated last night. “What a fantastic strategy.
“David Gallop ought to call Stephen Humphreys to commend him for this choice. The NRL must back this move with all the resources at its disposal.
“They need to counteract with equal force. This isn’t just a shot in the dark.
“This is genuine firepower. This shows the AFL that we have the means to compete with them.”
The decision to prevent an AFL monopoly on live sports in western Sydney on February 19 has been described as a “masterstroke” by former athletes.
Humphreys is confident that the potential matchup between Marshall and Hayne at Campbelltown Sports Stadium will become the most sought-after ticket that Saturday night, as AFL converts Folau and Hunt make their NAB Cup debuts just 40 kilometers up the M7 motorway at Blacktown Olympic Park at 7:15 PM (EDT), which is 15 minutes before the league trial is set to start.
Nonetheless, there is uncertainty regarding Hayne (hamstring tear) and Folau (ankle) for the significant evening, as both are still recovering from off-season surgeries.
Before the AFL revealed the schedule for the knockout NAB Cup competition on October 26, the Tigers-Eels match was planned to take place at Bluetongue Stadium. However, this match was relocated to Campbelltown in December after discussions between Humphreys and Parramatta CEO Paul Osbourne.
The NRL was not directly involved in this venue change at the last minute.
“It wasn’t in a Machiavellian context related to the AFL,” Humphreys clarified. “Let’s just say we’re quite comfortable with our game being scheduled for the same evening.
“When we assessed the situation, we identified an opportunity not only for our benefit from the game but also to represent our sport. Our main priority was to hold the game in western Sydney, while the secondary consideration was the AFL aspect.”
Humphreys anticipates that as many as 16,000 rugby league fans will attend the match, whereas GWS CEO Dale Holmes expects his club’s inaugural major match to reach full capacity at the 10,000-seat venue in Blacktown.
2011 NRL Trial Matches
Saturday 5/2/2011
Warriors v Knights Wingham Park, Greymouth
Friday 11/2/2011
Cowboys v Tigers Brothers Rugby League Club, Kirwan
Sea Eagles v Sharks Brookvale Oval
Saturday 12/2/2011
Broncos v Titans Kougari Oval, Wynnum
Warriors v Eels International Stadium, Rotorua
Roosters v Bulldogs Leichhardt Oval
Sunday 13/2/2011
Rabbitohs v Dragons ANZ Stadium
Friday 18/2/2011
Dragons v Bulldogs WIN Stadium
Saturday 19/2/2011
Cowboys v Broncos Traeger Park, Alice Springs
Raiders v Storm Bega Recreational Oval
Rabbitohs v Titans BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
Knights v Panthers Port Macquarie Regional Stadium
Tigers v Eels Campbelltown Stadium
Saturday 26/2/2011
Broncos v Storm Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe
Bulldogs v Raiders Scully Park, Tamworth
Cowboys v Titans Barlow Park, Cairns
Warriors v Sea Eagles North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Knights v Sharks Olympic Park, Muswellbrook
Panthers v Eels, Centrebet Stadium
Roosters v Tigers, SFS
By Buford Balony
