‘We lead them like you lead a horse’: Peter V’landys mocks the AFL
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has mocked the AFL by claiming the code simply follows the NRL’s example, saying rugby league leads it “like you lead a horse”.
V’landys, a regular antagonist of the AFL, took aim at the return of State of Origin this year after the AFL stopped the concept for decades due to injuries and questionable player interest after the last match in 1999.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys.Credit: Getty
V’landys also renewed his criticism that the AFL’s Gather Round copied the NRL’s Magic Round, although the NRL took that concept from the Super League in the UK who first hosted a Magic Weekend in 2007.
“Well firstly, can you explain what AFL is? How can they have a State of Origin? That’s unusual. It’s all in Victoria, most of the games, aren’t they?” V’landys said on Triple M on Thursday.
“We give them competition. As you say, competition lifts all boats. It’s actually lifted the AFL … they’ve come out of their slumber.
“They’re soon going to wake up and have a go. They’re looking at India now, they never looked at India before. They should not be scared of competition.
Garry Lyon and Patrick Dangerfield at the recently revived AFL State of Origin.Credit: AFL Photos
“We lead them, like you lead a horse. You just lead them through. What’s this Gather Round? What are they gathering? Rocks and stones? They’ve got Gather Round … they’ve copied Magic Round.”
The AFL has been contacted for comment.