LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Former NRL stars Gorden Tallis and Laurie Daley recently engaged in a fiery debate over whether rugby league or AFL is the dominant sport in Australia.
The argument began after Daley made comments on another program suggesting that AFL was the bigger code in the country.
Tallis, clearly annoyed by these remarks, took the opportunity to call out Daley during a segment of NRL 360.
Tallis started by asking Daley if he was okay, to which Daley responded with confusion.
Tallis then proceeded to criticize Daley for his comments about AFL being superior to rugby league.
He challenged Daley's claim that AFL consistently attracts large crowds by pointing out that he, living in both Queensland and New South Wales, is more familiar with NRL teams than AFL teams.
Tallis argued that to be considered the number one sport in the country, a code should be popular nationwide, not just in Melbourne.
Daley, refusing to back down, countered by suggesting that the NRL doesn't have the same recognition on the West coast of Australia.
He also mentioned the international game in New Zealand as evidence of AFL's global reach.
Unfazed, Tallis fired back, emphasizing that being the top sport in Australia requires popularity across the entire country, not just in certain regions or internationally.
The debate between Tallis and Daley highlights the ongoing competition between NRL and AFL for supremacy in Australia's sporting landscape.
While both codes have their passionate supporters, the argument ultimately boils down to personal preferences and regional loyalties.
Regardless of which side of the debate one falls on, it is clear that rugby league and AFL continue to captivate and divide fans across the country.