The tensions between the AFL and NRL have relit once again.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has said Rugby League's new landmark broadcast deal will only boost his code and the prospect of bigger TV contracts in the future.
The NRL signed a new TV rights deal until the end of 2034 worth $5.3 billion - the richest in Australian sporting history. It topped the AFL's current contract, which was valued at $4.5 billion (running from 2025 to 2031).
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'Landys, who is known to throw jabs and barbs towards the cross-code rival, alluded to the sport's leading ranking in the nation, and the monster $800 million difference in the broadcast deal was a "bonus".
"Don't listen to what other people tell you, especially some down south," V'Landys said.
"We are the number one viewed sport in Australia. I don't know anything called AFL, FLA isn't it? Look, that was never a driving force, really. I just wanted to maximised for our game.
"Just that's it's (nearly) a billion dollars more than they got over seven years is a bonus. So Toorak is going to have a real devaluation in houses in the next few months."
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Dillon, the pragmatist, remained cool and collected when shown the clip of V'Landys on ABC before the Thursday night clash between Fremantle and Sydney.
"I think they've done a good deal," Dillon responded.
"I think what it does show is that live sport is something that brings together big crowds and big groups of people that are watching it, whether it's on TV or streaming.
"I think what that shows is that for a sport like the AFL, which is the most attended and is the most viewed, it's a great deal for the NRL, and it's great for us for our current deal and also deals in the future.
"There was talk when the last AFL deal was done that that was a high watermark and that's as good as it gets. I think what this shows is that the industry, the media industry, will pay for content that people want to watch, and we know that they want to watch the AFL.
"We'll have huge fans watching tonight (Thursday) and over the weekend. And we'll do that with a sellout crowd of 55 and a bit thousand as well."
Earlier in the year, V'Landys took a pot shot at the AFL's attempt to revive State of Origin, which has been a space owned by the NRL for the better part of three decades.
"Well, firstly, can you explain what AFL is?" V'landys said in February on Triple M.
"How can they have a State of Origin? It's all in Victoria, most of the games, aren't they?
"No, 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 should not be scared of competition. We lead them, like you lead a horse. We lead them through.
"What's this, Gather Round? What are they gathering? Rocks of stones! They've got Gather Round… they've copied Magic Round.”
