IN Australia there are two very distinct tribes of people that spread across the country during the winter months: those who follow the AFL and those who follow the NRL.
In recent years though, each code has been marred by two very separate, but equally disturbing, controversies. The AFL seems to be fighting a losing battle of complete stupidity among their fans who tend to either erupt in brain snaps of racism, bigotry and even violence.
On the other hand, the NRL is often left speechless at the stupidity of their players, whose antics regularly verge on the insane and sexually deviant.
Both of these issues were thrust into the forefront again this week, begging the question: who is dumber, AFL fans or NRL players? We will examine each sides rap sheet to finally come up with a definitive answer.
Are NRL players getting dumber?
This year alone has been an absolute corker for NRL players’ stupidity. Even before the season got underway the Sydney Roosters’ Mitchell Pearce found himself in hot water after being filmed simulating a drunken sex act on a puppy and urinating on a strangers couch.
In the opening four rounds of footy there have been some puzzling brain snaps on the field. But none of those registered a bleep on the radar in comparison to the Canterbury Bulldogs five/eighth, Josh Reynolds on Monday night.
Reynolds, affectionately referred to as “Grub” by his team mates, gave opposing half, Canberra’s Aidan Sezer a friendly grope while feeding a scrum. Some people are calling it a reach around while others argue that it looked more like a rectal exam. Whatever you call it, the NRL hasn’t seen that sort of breach of personal space since 2001 when John Hopoate was banned for putting his finger in unsavoury places while trying to distract opponents.
Reynolds has come out since in defence of his actions, claiming it was all just a joke.
I don’t know about that.
In my day a joke started with “knock, knock” or “an Irish man walks into a bar”.
Reynolds also claims he and Sezer are old friends. Even if that’s true, how do you usually greet your mates? With a hand shake? High five? Have you ever welcomed a friend into your home while taking their temperature “the old fashioned way”?
Anyway, earlier in the year Dragons fullback Kurt Mann managed to upset a vast majority of the general public with an Instagram video. The video managed to upset people due to it showing a live goanna being hurled at someone (animal cruelty) and a racist comment attached to the video.
Around the same time Cronulla Sharks fringe player Fa’amanu Brown proved his IQ is clearly no bigger than his shoe size by putting his mobile phone in the microwave to charge it because the battery was flat.
Despite all this stupidity CrownBet.com.au boasts seven separate markets on each teams future.
At the moment, CrownBet.com.au has the Brisbane Broncos as firm favorites to be minor premiers ($2.50) and to take out the premiership ($4). Check out CrownBet.com.au for the rest of their odds on NRL futures betting.
Are AFL fans getting dumber?
In recent times the AFL has been left scratching their heads, trying to solve an alarming problem of racism among a minority in their fan base.
Players like Bachar Houli, Majak Daw and Adam Goodes have been the target of racist outbursts from fans. The racial abuse came to a head in 2013 when a 13 year old Collingwood supporter called Goodes an “ape”.
Goodes was again the victim of racism in 2015 when he was repeatedly booed during games. This situation came to a head when Goodes celebrated a goal by performing an Indigenous war dance and mimed throwing a spear at the Carlton cheer squad. The Carlton cheer squad dodged the imaginary spear and became enraged that someone would throw a non-existent spear at them: it could have hit anyone!!
All this madness was again thrust into the limelight when a banner reading “Go Pies STOP THE MOSQUES” was unfurled at the RIchmond/Collingwood game this week.
This isn’t to say AFL fans stupidity is exclusive to racism. A Fremantle fan was jailed in 2015 for hitting an off duty police woman at the Dockers preliminary loss to the Hawks.
In the end, AFL fans may dodge imaginary spears, but I doubt they have ever tried to charge their mobile phone by placing it in a microwave. NRL players are clearly dumber!
WilliamHill.com has eight markets for AFL futures betting with the Hawthorn Hawks clear favorites to take out the premiership at $4.50.
