If Brisbane and Gold Coast play it smart, this could be a golden opportunity for them to get in some players’ ears about the lifestyle in QLD.
I’m sure the warmer weather plus the uncertainty “down south” could put rose coloured glasses on the area for some.
(Haven’t read the thread so not sure if this has been mentioned previously)
And the 98% who don’t like playing in greasy splash pools will run away screaming.
Because it doesn’t rain or get damp down south in the winter?
How many games does each Melbourne team typically play in the wet each season? 2 or 3 at most? Less if they’re a docklands team I suspect.
Maybe but the overall weather etc (outside of 2 hours per week of gametime if that is the sticking point) is better up here.
Plus, I’m not saying every player. I’m sure a lot would not want to.
This is not a Vic bashing session, just a comment from an ex-Victorian who now lives up here and can compare the 2.
And I wasn’t saying you’re wrong :). Just that your counter-argument to @theDJR wasn’t really effective.
I think at the end of the day the lifestyle would be a fairly minor part of it for an AFL player these days, main things being money, prospects of success and ability to set themselves up for post-football life (the last two going hand-in-hand to a certain degree depending on their ambitions post-football). For a fringe player opportunity would be a big one.
Brisbane Lions obviously are able to sell success currently, possible GC can too if they continue to show improvement as the season goes on and don’t fade away like they have in recent years.
But up here in QLD even when we have a beautiful sunny day the grounds seem as greasy as ■■■■ at night
They can do.
Playing conditions wasn’t the crux of my comment. More overall lifestyle during the season
Personally I’d hate being an endurance athlete in hot weather, training in the cool mild Melbourne weather sounds much more enjoyable than doing a preseason in the subtropics.
And besides, the coffee in Queensland is ■■■■
For sure.
It’s also why I said "some players).
If I was involved with either of the clubs up here, in a recruiting/list management perspective, I would certainly be sounding players our and using the situation as a possible advantage.
*most coffee is crap. You just gotta know where to go.
Also, low to mid 20’s at the moment is hardly the heat.
Vic in Jan can get over 40. I cannot recall a day over 40 in my time here
It’s rarely ever humid down here though and we don’t get an influx of stupid 18-year-olds every summer either
I’ll take a dry 40°C day in preference to 30°C with 90% humidity every day of the week thankyouverymuch…
I lived on the GC for five years. It’s a dump. It’s got the worst drivers in Australia because everyone is an import and they bring the worst habits their home cities have to offer. For the last two years I was there I worked in Brisbane. Working 12 hour days, I literally didn’t pee for the first week working there, drenched in sweat by 7:30am. Melbourne weather is the best by far, yeah it’s cold sometimes, but you can just put a jacket on, you can’t get away from 37 degrees at 92% humidity.
Whilst the days are generally warm and sunny up here the grounds get dewy after sunset. Metricon seems to be worse than the Gabba from recent games. Daytime footy is the definitely the better option. I would imagine the Bomber players will appreciate the absence of windy Tulla.
Adelaide/Pt Adelaide as well.
Surely the state that hosts this year’s grand final is the one that is willing to pay the afl the most for it?
Lifestyle is a big sell for younger players, but once they’re into their 20s then post-footy becomes a priority.
What post-footy career options are available on the GC other than real estate agent?
Or let the most Victorians in.
I dunno, I remember being 1 of plenty of dumb 18yo’s around Lorne. I know that’s not Melbourne but the Gold Coast (which I avoid like the plague all year 'round if I can) isn’t Brisbane.