Sports Code Battle Down Under: Rugby League vs. Aussie Rules Football
By
Dan Holmes
Contributor Updated: 20 March 2024
Dan Holmes Contributor
Dan Holmes, a content creator and sports betting enthusiast, brings over a decade of experience to Betting.US. His extensive writing background spans from the internet to prestigious roles at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Dan’s articles, featured on numerous websites, cover various sports, from bowling to disc golf.
Rugby League vs. Aussie Rules Football
The rivalry between rugby and Australian rules football reflects a deep-seated competition for sporting supremacy in the country.
While both codes boast passionate followings, their regional popularity often draws distinct lines, known as the Barassi Line. Like a feud between neighboring families, the code battle down under, AFL vs NRL, is passionate, and often heated.
The clash between the traditional, physical nature of rugby and the dynamic, high-scoring style of Aussie rules adds intensity to the rivalry. This inter-code competition, fueled by cultural and historical factors, contributes to the diverse and fervent sports culture in the country.
The Australian Football League, or AFL, is the preeminent professional Australian rules football competition. The NRL, or National Rugby League, stands as the premier professional rugby league competition in Australia.
Betting is a prominent and important part of both sports, with online sportsbooks with rugby offering odds on that sport. Those same betting apps and sportsbooks with Aussie rules football have parlay options, futures bets, and player props for the AFL.
What is the Football Code?
In Australia, the term “football code” typically refers to the various forms of football played across the country.
The three major football codes are:
- Australian rules football
- Rugby league
- Rugby union
Australian rules football is unique to the country, characterized by its oval-shaped ball and distinctive playing field. Rugby league and rugby union, derived from the English rugby football, are also widely popular.
Each code has its own set of rules, traditions, and passionate fan bases, contributing to the rich tapestry of Australian sports culture. The preference for a particular football code often varies regionally, shaping local sporting identities.
About the AFL
Established in 1897, the Australian Football League features 18 teams from across Australia. AFL matches are played on oval-shaped fields, and the sport is known for its high-scoring, dynamic gameplay. The league is extremely popular in the nation down under.
About the NRL
Established in 1998, the National Rugby League comprises 16 teams, with one based in New Zealand. Rugby league, distinguished by its thirteen-player teams and frequent tackles, has a strong following in Australia. The NRL season unfolds with a regular season followed by a finals series culminating in the Grand Final, a major sporting event. The league has produced iconic moments and nurtured legendary players. Known for its physicality and strategic play, the NRL is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of Australian sports, contributing significantly to the nation’s sporting heritage.
Explaining the Barassi Line
How cool would it be to have a popular sports term named after you? That’s the legacy of Ron Barassi, an iconic Australian footballer.
The Barassi Line is a term primarily used in the context of Australian rules football to delineate the geographic divide between regions where the sport is more popular than other football codes, such as rugby league and rugby union. This imaginary line is named after Ron Barassi, an iconic figure in Australian rules football.
Ron Barassi, born in Castlemaine, Victoria, is widely regarded as one of the greatest figures in the history of Australian rules football. His impact on the game extends beyond his playing career, encompassing successful coaching stints and contributing significantly to the sport’s development.
Barassi’s playing career began with the Melbourne Football Club in 1953, where he quickly established himself as a tenacious and skilled midfielder. His leadership qualities were evident, and he played a crucial role in Melbourne’s dominance during the late 1950s, securing six premierships in a remarkable era for the club. However, Barassi’s influence extended beyond individual success; his commitment to the team and aggressive playing style made him a revered figure on and off the field, and ultimately resulted in The Barassi Line.
In a surprising turn of events, Barassi made a controversial move to the Carlton Football Club in 1965 as a playing coach. This transition marked the beginning of his coaching career, during which he guided Carlton to two premierships in 1968 and 1970, solidifying his status as a legendary coach as well.
AFL vs. NRL
The Barassi Line, named in his honor, reflects the geographical divide in Australia, separating regions where Australian rules football is the dominant football code from those where rugby league or rugby union holds sway. North of the Barassi Line, rugby codes tend to be more popular, while south of the line, Australian rules football enjoys greater prominence.
The concept of the Barassi Line underscores the diverse sporting preferences across different regions of Australia. While it’s not a rigid line, and cultural and historical factors also play a role in shaping preferences, the term has become a symbolic representation of the geographical nuances in Australian sports culture.
The Barassi Line serves as a unique way to highlight the regional variations (AFL vs NRL) in the popularity of football codes across the country. His legacy lives on not only through the line that bears his name but also in the enduring influence he had on the evolution of Australian rules football.
Ratings War: Rugby League vs. Aussie Rules Football TV Popularity
Which sport draws better television ratings in Australia, rugby or Aussie rules football? The answer depends on geography.
In New South Wales and Queensland, rugby or the NRL, is supreme in the AFL vs NRL TV ratings competition. But throughout the rest of Australia, Australian Rules Football is No. 1.
But in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia, Aussie football is more popular among TV viewers and via streaming services. The ratings are a harbinger of the AFL vs NRL popularity war.
On the revenue side, it’s not even close: the AFL generates far more revenue than the competing NRL. In 2023, Statista reported that the Australian Football League had gross revenue of approximately $900 million in Australian dollars. That was a staggering $200 million increase from the previous year. In 2022, the most recent year of data, the Australian Rugby League Commission reported $185 million in gross revenue.
Who has More Members: AFL or NRL?
When it comes to rugby and football league teams in Australia, a membership represents a commitment and affiliation between fans and their favorite NRL or AFL teams.
Membership totals is one way to decide the AFL vs NRL popularity battle. This AFL vs NRL memberships comparison is often cited by both sides making their case as the true national sport of Australia.
Rugby league clubs and Aussie Rules Football clubs in Australia offer memberships to supporters, creating a sense of belonging and involvement beyond mere spectatorship. These memberships come with a range of benefits, fostering a deeper connection between fans and the club.
Aussie Rules Football Has 1.2 Million Members Compared to 365K for NRL
As of 2023, according to statistics from the league, the NRL has memberships of 365,399. The Aussie Rules league clubs boast a total membership of 1.2 million, according to Fox Sports research.
A rugby league membership typically includes access to home games, allowing supporters to witness the live action and cheer for their team from the stands. Memberships often come with priority seating options, ensuring that fans get the best views of the matches. Some memberships may also provide exclusive access to member-only events, such as meet-and-greets with players, training sessions, or club functions. This fosters a more intimate connection between fans and the players they idolize, creating a sense of community within the club.
Additionally, many rugby league memberships offer merchandise discounts, allowing fans to proudly wear their team colors and show their allegiance. Exclusive member packs, containing team memorabilia, posters, and other collectibles, are often part of the membership perks, further enhancing the fan experience.
Importantly, AFL and NRL memberships are a tangible way for fans to financially support their favorite rugby league clubs. The funds generated from memberships contribute to the team’s operational expenses, player development, and facility maintenance. This financial backing from the supporters plays a crucial role in sustaining the clubs and enabling them to remain competitive in the league.
Beyond the tangible benefits, being “a member” of an Aussie Rules or rugby league team often instills a sense of pride and identity. Fans become part of a broader community of like-minded individuals who share a common passion for their team. This sense of belonging transcends geographic boundaries, as supporters from various regions come together under the banner of their chosen club.
Aussie Rules Football and Rugby league memberships in Australia go beyond being a ticket to games; they represent a symbiotic relationship between fans and their beloved teams. It’s a commitment, a shared journey, and a way for supporters to actively contribute to the success and sustainability of their rugby league clubs. Memberships also underscore the rivalry of the AFL vs. NRL.
As of 2022, according to Statista, three AFL teams had memberships in excess of 100,000: the West Coast Eagles; Richmond Tigers; and Collingwood Magpies.
