Israel Folau

[Dogmatic]

Just heard on the radio that Israel Folau is going to sign on for GWS tomorrow.
Good marketing boost for them, might keep Sheedy out of the news.

[The Dark Knight]

Just heard on the radio that Israel Folau is going to sign on for GWS tomorrow.
Good marketing boost for them, might keep Sheedy out of the news.

Just saw it being talked about at the start of On the Couch and it sounds like the rumors are true.

[White Line Fever]

Does anyone truly believe that these rugby lads will play one game of AFL.
Seriously, strip away the hype and I highly doubt they will play at the highest level.

For one overwhelming factor.... Kicking.

[The Dark Knight]

Does anyone truly believe that these rugby lads will play one game of AFL.
Seriously, strip away the hype and I highly doubt they will play at the highest level.

For one overwhelming factor.... Kicking.

As a fan of Rugby League and for that matter AFL I can't stand the fact that superstars of the game such as Israel can just decide to stop playing the game he was born to play and move to another game that is completely different and will take a long time to learn and pick up. It's just not going to work.

[White Line Fever]

And on that note, i highly doubt too many AFL players could play Rugby League.

It takes years to perfect the tackling technique..( and a lot of shrugs in the gym )

[The Dark Knight]

And on that note, i highly doubt too many AFL players could play Rugby League.

Agreed

[Dogmatic]

And on that note, i highly doubt too many AFL players could play Rugby League.

It takes years to perfect the tackling technique..( and a lot of shrugs in the gym )

You need to get rid of your neck before you can play RL.

[Dogmatic]

Does anyone truly believe that these rugby lads will play one game of AFL.
Seriously, strip away the hype and I highly doubt they will play at the highest level.

For one overwhelming factor.... Kicking.

Do you think they will cope with the training regime?
The only RL player I think stands a chance is Billy Slater.

[White Line Fever]

Does anyone truly believe that these rugby lads will play one game of AFL.
Seriously, strip away the hype and I highly doubt they will play at the highest level.

For one overwhelming factor.... Kicking.

Do you think they will cope with the training regime?
The only RL player I think stands a chance is Billy Slater.

There is a completely different training method when you compares power and strength VS endurance stamina pound-for-pound strength.
But as they are all elite athletes, i think a dedicated individual could pick up the training.

It's the skills and brain where the problem lies.
But then you could argue Dean Brogan NBL & Marty Clarke/Kennely Gaelic footy.

Probably being negative, but i will believe it when i see it.
Great for marketing though.

[Dogwatcher]

I was about to make that exact point.
We've seen rowers and basketballers and even soccer players and gaelic footballers take footy up.

For at least the past decade we've all lamented the fact that clubs have been drafting 'athletes' ahead of 'pure footballers'.
Now that they're looking at rugby league players, we think they won't make it?
To me, much of the only reason this is being questioned is that they are high profile rugby players.
Nonetheless they are still athletes.
They are athletes with the aesthetic of a professional sportsman already ingrained.

[Q.]

They are athletes with the aesthetic of a professional sportsman already ingrained.

And an AFL marketer's wet dream for the rugby heartland.

[cripple]

Not only will they play, i would happily put money on it that they will be very good when there teams (gold coast, gws) start up.
The three big advantages they have over there new teammates are
1. maturity
2. experience on the big stage of australian sport
3. the expectations that come with being massively hyped 17 year old phenoms when they were starting out (like many of their new teammates will be)

Now whilst there kicking might never reach the likes of a lindsey gilbee, there ability to take a grab, use the unique skill set that only a few other AFL players possess from rugby or ability to perform on the big stage can only be seen as big plusses. This on top of the amount of free advertising in foreign markets all make it seem like a good idea in my eyes.
If the boffins up north can't teach someone to kick in the 40 hours a week they have with them, they obviously aren't doing there job right.

[heater31]

I think Hunt has a better chance at converting. He has at least played the game at school and would have some basic knowledge of how to play it.

but if they want to try then good luck to them

[the big bang]

Not only will they play, i would happily put money on it that they will be very good when there teams (gold coast, gws) start up.
The three big advantages they have over there new teammates are
1. maturity
2. experience on the big stage of australian sport
3. the expectations that come with being massively hyped 17 year old phenoms when they were starting out (like many of their new teammates will be)

Now whilst there kicking might never reach the likes of a lindsey gilbee, there ability to take a grab, use the unique skill set that only a few other AFL players possess from rugby or ability to perform on the big stage can only be seen as big plusses. This on top of the amount of free advertising in foreign markets all make it seem like a good idea in my eyes.
If the boffins up north can't teach someone to kick in the 40 hours a week they have with them, they obviously aren't doing there job right.

that would be my argument for them.

lets change this scenario into "the real world" in terms of occupations.

i'll assume a fair few of us on this site are a tradies of some description, as i am.

If i went from being a tradie into something i have little to no idea about, let's say a receptionist or some sort of office job. But i had 2 years of flat out working with some of the best teachers and best resources in the country to get my skills in my workplace up to the highest standard, i rekon i could do it easy, specially if i was to be on the money that guys like Hunt and Folau will be on.

And that's going from one industry into a completely different one. These guys are still going to be pro athletes, so they have the mindset, knowledge and know the dedication that is going to be needed in their new "jobs".

thats my thoughts anyway. And good luck to them i say.

[CoverKing]

I think Hunt has a better chance at converting. He has at least played the game at school and would have some basic knowledge of how to play it.

but if they want to try then good luck to them

Would have been drafted if the Broncos didnt get to him first i believe!

[Wedgie]

Full backs in RL/RU would make good Aussie Rules Footballers IMHO.
Good marks, good pace, good evasion, good kicks.

[CoverKing]

My little brother reckons he heard that Folau is keen on being a Full Forward in the AFL? THis true?
Peoples thoughts on this?

I think him and Hunt will be very successful!

[Brock Landers]

I think good luck to him, it's a massive risk to change from a sport in which he is obvioulsy a natural talent to be onne of the League's elite players to one where he is going to have to work very hard on the specific skills for Aussie Rules just to play one single game of AFL.

It doesn't matter how many unmarked paper bags are being thrown his way, that decision takes balls.

[Choccies]

He's a big boy is Israel but I'm sure the AFL and NRL pre-season structures are poles apart in what they focus on so with a pre-season of long runs and a special weight training program under his belt he'd strip a bit of the weight he carries that is required for NRL and be much better placed to make it in the AFL. The skills will come, don't worry about that...

[Dogmatic]

He's a big boy is Israel but I'm sure the AFL and NRL pre-season structures are poles apart in what they focus on so with a pre-season of long runs and a special weight training program under his belt he'd strip a bit of the weight he carries that is required for NRL and be much better placed to make it in the AFL. The skills will come, don't worry about that...

Unlikely you can't turn a sprinter into a marathon runner.