Auckland Nines Discussion
- Thread starter Junior11
- Start date
Well Folks for those of you who couldn't make it this year this is what it was like from a Fan point of view.....a few observations.
First of all I was a thousand percent behind the Nines before the gates opened and expected something special.
With those overly high expectations only a let down loomed. Well hell. It was better than I dreamed in me wildest fantasies....geepers it's electric at Eden Park.
There is something weird going on in rugby league at that nines. A sea of club colours and Warriors embracing Storm fans , Roosters back slapping Rabitohs and chatting in the hot dog and beer queues about each others chances.
It is Rugby league Olympics with a Monaco grand Pri atmosphere. Cat walk models in skimpy outfits and Ferrel League hard nuts mingling in an orgy of fun geepers they even cheered in the right places during the footy.
Memorable Moments :
Waiting for the first game....packing my Kids water bottles safely under the seat during the break the stadium erupts in a massive Roar.
I look up to see a bemused Cronullar Sharks squad looking around.....they had just come out of the Tunnel into the warm up area right in front of me
' what's all the noise for where are the Warriors ? '
A stunned Mullet Paul Gallen was the first to realise " Boys clap......the KWIS ARE CHEERING US....... CLAP ! Come on IT'S FOR US !!!!
( so glad I paid for the three hundred dollar seats to hear Paul shouting to the Sharks )
They ran along the Stadium edges and started high fiving the arms hanging over the rail......they kept it up when they got to the end of the Warm up area and kept going pumping the fans up.
There was another Massive Roar......It was the Newcastle Knights....they were expecting it...they'd seen the reaction by NRL starved Kiwis to the Sharks......Willie ran the fence Line Fist Pumping.....other players dancing doing a little shimmy and grin and the adoring throng of Neutrals.
The Knights worked the crowd like seasoned pro's those two teams Kicked this off and Launched it driving the stadium into a fervor.
Then they played football.
There was a reverent hush as Rugby Union central watched the fastest , toughest , most skillful Aussie V Aussie battle they'd seen in nearly three decades.
The NRL Nines thereafter delivered something as I said before....without peer in world sport.
I'm going to stop there because you can't do it justice from a keyboard and you can't do it justice watching it on T.V.
I've started budgeting for 2015 already.
It will be sold in a day...no one who went will want to give up their seats.....then theres the rest of us in the League world who want to see what all the fuss was about.
You gotta be there to feel it.
First of all I was a thousand percent behind the Nines before the gates opened and expected something special.
With those overly high expectations only a let down loomed. Well hell. It was better than I dreamed in me wildest fantasies....geepers it's electric at Eden Park.
There is something weird going on in rugby league at that nines. A sea of club colours and Warriors embracing Storm fans , Roosters back slapping Rabitohs and chatting in the hot dog and beer queues about each others chances.
It is Rugby league Olympics with a Monaco grand Pri atmosphere. Cat walk models in skimpy outfits and Ferrel League hard nuts mingling in an orgy of fun geepers they even cheered in the right places during the footy.
Memorable Moments :
Waiting for the first game....packing my Kids water bottles safely under the seat during the break the stadium erupts in a massive Roar.
I look up to see a bemused Cronullar Sharks squad looking around.....they had just come out of the Tunnel into the warm up area right in front of me
' what's all the noise for where are the Warriors ? '
A stunned Mullet Paul Gallen was the first to realise " Boys clap......the KWIS ARE CHEERING US....... CLAP ! Come on IT'S FOR US !!!!
( so glad I paid for the three hundred dollar seats to hear Paul shouting to the Sharks )
They ran along the Stadium edges and started high fiving the arms hanging over the rail......they kept it up when they got to the end of the Warm up area and kept going pumping the fans up.
There was another Massive Roar......It was the Newcastle Knights....they were expecting it...they'd seen the reaction by NRL starved Kiwis to the Sharks......Willie ran the fence Line Fist Pumping.....other players dancing doing a little shimmy and grin and the adoring throng of Neutrals.
The Knights worked the crowd like seasoned pro's those two teams Kicked this off and Launched it driving the stadium into a fervor.
Then they played football.
There was a reverent hush as Rugby Union central watched the fastest , toughest , most skillful Aussie V Aussie battle they'd seen in nearly three decades.
The NRL Nines thereafter delivered something as I said before....without peer in world sport.
I'm going to stop there because you can't do it justice from a keyboard and you can't do it justice watching it on T.V.
I've started budgeting for 2015 already.
It will be sold in a day...no one who went will want to give up their seats.....then theres the rest of us in the League world who want to see what all the fuss was about.
You gotta be there to feel it.
Last edited:
Joshhh
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I saw it on a live stream, was a bit of fun, nothing serious, Bedsy didn't do alot, Joey's first few touches were a dropped ball & some horrible passes, put his hand up smiling & immediately interchanged himself 
then when he got back on he pulled a muscle & was laughing running to the interchange bench again, a massive fat media guy was getting a good cheer from the crowd too whenever he ran the ball, scored a 10-15 metre try too I think.
then when he got back on he pulled a muscle & was laughing running to the interchange bench again, a massive fat media guy was getting a good cheer from the crowd too whenever he ran the ball, scored a 10-15 metre try too I think.I saw it on a live stream, was a bit of fun, nothing serious, Bedsy didn't do alot, Joey's first few touches were a dropped ball & some horrible passes, put his hand up smiling & immediately interchanged himself
In touch it is customary to bench yourself after stuffing up.
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Suncorp Stadium bosses are preparing to launch a bid to host the Nines in 2015
Suncorp Stadium bosses want to bring the NRL Nines tournament to Brisbane. Source: News Limited
SUNCORP Stadium bosses are prepared to launch an audacious bid to bring the NRL Nines to Brisbane as club bosses accept the tournament is set to become a permanent fixture on the rugby league calendar.
The stunning success of the inaugural Nines in Auckland over the weekend has convinced many sceptics in NRL club land about the value of the nine-a-side event, with more stars expected to play in next year’s tournament.
Suncorp Stadium general manager Alan Graham confirmed Brisbane’s premier 52,500-seat venue would be interested in talking to Events Queensland and the ARL Commission about hosting the Nines once the Auckland deal expires in 2016.
“We have always got an appetite for events such as that and we’ve got a long-term strategy about different events we’re looking at bringing or trying to get for Brisbane and Queensland,” Graham said.
“I think we’re the second biggest rugby league market in the world so a tournament like that would sit pretty well here.
“I think apart from the stadium, which is ideally suited to that type of spectacle, we have a fairly good precinct as well that would help foster and create the atmosphere that you need around a tournament like that.
“I understand there is a certain agreement in place for it to be held in Auckland for another year or two, but certainly it would be something we’d be interested in having some discussions about in the future in conjunction with Tourism and Events Queensland who we partner up on a lot of big events.’’
With North Queensland and Brisbane fighting it out for the title of inaugural Nines champions, won 16-7 by the Cowboys, Queensland’s NRL clubs have certainly shown a keen interest in the event and sparked much excitement among their fans for 2014.
Graham had no doubt Queensland rugby league fans could fill Suncorp Stadium twice over.
“I think you would, it’s that type of event that helps create an atmosphere over and above just a rugby league game,” Graham said.
Broncos chief executive Paul White fully endorsed the Nines concept, returning from Auckland stunned at the popularity of the event and the huge benefits it brought rugby league and the city in New Zealand.
“I don’t think anyone would have expected 12 months ago that the event and quality of the event would have been what it was, you always hoped, but the way it all unfolded was just outstanding,” White said.
“It made you proud to be working in rugby league.
“There was robust debate about bringing the concept in but I think everyone got behind it and there is little doubt that the concept is going to be here to stay.
“That’s just the starting point, if it improves from there it’s going to be a wonderful asset to the game.
"It can only get bigger and stronger from there.
“The economic benefit it has delivered for Auckland, there wasn’t a single bed available in the city.
“I would imagine state and local governments, venue operators would all be looking at the possibility for what it means if they were able to put on a tournament like that in the future.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...he-nines-in-2015/story-fni3fbgz-1226831945469
- - - Updated - - -
Ten may pursue the Nines TV rights to better its chances of winning the NRL rights in 2018
CHANNEL 10 may pursue rugby league’s Auckland Nines to build on the success of its summer ratings bonanza, cricket’s T20 Big Bash League. The short form of rugby league made its debut last weekend with strong viewer figures on Fox Sports.
Ten’s potential interest in the Nines could also be a tentative first step after the network’s narrow failure to win the NRL’s $1 billion TV rights contract 18 months ago
.Industry observers believe telecasts of the truncated version of league could ultimately provide the perfect preparation for a successful bid when the NRL’s $1 billion overall rights deal with Nine and Fox Sports expires at the end of 2017.
Ten last broadcast rugby league some two decades ago, but has made strong moves in the sporting landscape in recent years.
The network boasts the BBL and V8s in its stable and is currently screening the Sochi Winter Olympics.
“Channel 10 only just missed out on rugby league a few years ago, and they aren’t giving up,” a source close to the network said.
“They might not be able to get the whole rights until 2018, but they believe they can start with the Nines.”
Fox Sports was the exclusive Australian broadcaster of the Nines, comfortably the most-watched event on subscription television last week.
Almost 180,000 people tuned in to Saturday’s preliminary rounds across Australia, with the ratings lifting to 240,000 for Sunday’s final.
Fox Sports chief executive Patrick Delany was unaware of Ten’s possible interest last night, but maintained that his network held exclusive rights to cover the remaining four years of the current deal.
“I don’t want to go into too much detail, but we have the exclusive rights,” Delany said.
Although the ARLC did not green light the Nines until almost a year after the TV deal was announced, Delany confirmed the concept was catered for in his contract.
He declined to speculate whether Fox Sports would be open to on-selling the rights so that the tournament might be shown on free-to-air.
The NRL also declined to clarify the Nines aspect of the TV deal.
Channel 10 head of sport David Barham confirmed the network would be interested in the tournament.
“We are looking at all sports,” Barham said.
“I think the Nines has distinct possibility for free-to-air television.”
Even if the BBL and Nines schedules crossed over, the friendly time difference means the Nines would finish at 6pm, providing the perfect lead-in to the cricket’s 7.30pm start.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...l-rights-in-2018/story-fni3fbgz-1226832057506
- TODD BALYM
- THE COURIER-MAIL
- FEBRUARY 19, 2014 10:00PM
Suncorp Stadium bosses want to bring the NRL Nines tournament to Brisbane. Source: News Limited
SUNCORP Stadium bosses are prepared to launch an audacious bid to bring the NRL Nines to Brisbane as club bosses accept the tournament is set to become a permanent fixture on the rugby league calendar.
The stunning success of the inaugural Nines in Auckland over the weekend has convinced many sceptics in NRL club land about the value of the nine-a-side event, with more stars expected to play in next year’s tournament.
Suncorp Stadium general manager Alan Graham confirmed Brisbane’s premier 52,500-seat venue would be interested in talking to Events Queensland and the ARL Commission about hosting the Nines once the Auckland deal expires in 2016.
“We have always got an appetite for events such as that and we’ve got a long-term strategy about different events we’re looking at bringing or trying to get for Brisbane and Queensland,” Graham said.
“I think we’re the second biggest rugby league market in the world so a tournament like that would sit pretty well here.
“I think apart from the stadium, which is ideally suited to that type of spectacle, we have a fairly good precinct as well that would help foster and create the atmosphere that you need around a tournament like that.
“I understand there is a certain agreement in place for it to be held in Auckland for another year or two, but certainly it would be something we’d be interested in having some discussions about in the future in conjunction with Tourism and Events Queensland who we partner up on a lot of big events.’’
With North Queensland and Brisbane fighting it out for the title of inaugural Nines champions, won 16-7 by the Cowboys, Queensland’s NRL clubs have certainly shown a keen interest in the event and sparked much excitement among their fans for 2014.
Graham had no doubt Queensland rugby league fans could fill Suncorp Stadium twice over.
“I think you would, it’s that type of event that helps create an atmosphere over and above just a rugby league game,” Graham said.
Broncos chief executive Paul White fully endorsed the Nines concept, returning from Auckland stunned at the popularity of the event and the huge benefits it brought rugby league and the city in New Zealand.
“I don’t think anyone would have expected 12 months ago that the event and quality of the event would have been what it was, you always hoped, but the way it all unfolded was just outstanding,” White said.
“It made you proud to be working in rugby league.
“There was robust debate about bringing the concept in but I think everyone got behind it and there is little doubt that the concept is going to be here to stay.
“That’s just the starting point, if it improves from there it’s going to be a wonderful asset to the game.
"It can only get bigger and stronger from there.
“The economic benefit it has delivered for Auckland, there wasn’t a single bed available in the city.
“I would imagine state and local governments, venue operators would all be looking at the possibility for what it means if they were able to put on a tournament like that in the future.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...he-nines-in-2015/story-fni3fbgz-1226831945469
- - - Updated - - -
Ten may pursue the Nines TV rights to better its chances of winning the NRL rights in 2018
- REBECCA WILSON AND JOSH MASSOUD
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- FEBRUARY 20, 2014 12:00AM
CHANNEL 10 may pursue rugby league’s Auckland Nines to build on the success of its summer ratings bonanza, cricket’s T20 Big Bash League. The short form of rugby league made its debut last weekend with strong viewer figures on Fox Sports.
Ten’s potential interest in the Nines could also be a tentative first step after the network’s narrow failure to win the NRL’s $1 billion TV rights contract 18 months ago
.Industry observers believe telecasts of the truncated version of league could ultimately provide the perfect preparation for a successful bid when the NRL’s $1 billion overall rights deal with Nine and Fox Sports expires at the end of 2017.
Ten last broadcast rugby league some two decades ago, but has made strong moves in the sporting landscape in recent years.
The network boasts the BBL and V8s in its stable and is currently screening the Sochi Winter Olympics.
“Channel 10 only just missed out on rugby league a few years ago, and they aren’t giving up,” a source close to the network said.
“They might not be able to get the whole rights until 2018, but they believe they can start with the Nines.”
Fox Sports was the exclusive Australian broadcaster of the Nines, comfortably the most-watched event on subscription television last week.
Almost 180,000 people tuned in to Saturday’s preliminary rounds across Australia, with the ratings lifting to 240,000 for Sunday’s final.
Fox Sports chief executive Patrick Delany was unaware of Ten’s possible interest last night, but maintained that his network held exclusive rights to cover the remaining four years of the current deal.
“I don’t want to go into too much detail, but we have the exclusive rights,” Delany said.
Although the ARLC did not green light the Nines until almost a year after the TV deal was announced, Delany confirmed the concept was catered for in his contract.
He declined to speculate whether Fox Sports would be open to on-selling the rights so that the tournament might be shown on free-to-air.
The NRL also declined to clarify the Nines aspect of the TV deal.
Channel 10 head of sport David Barham confirmed the network would be interested in the tournament.
“We are looking at all sports,” Barham said.
“I think the Nines has distinct possibility for free-to-air television.”
Even if the BBL and Nines schedules crossed over, the friendly time difference means the Nines would finish at 6pm, providing the perfect lead-in to the cricket’s 7.30pm start.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...l-rights-in-2018/story-fni3fbgz-1226832057506
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Nathan Hindmarsh keen on a start in the Auckland Nines
Nathan Hindmarsh crosses against the Roosters back in his glory days. Source: News Limited
NATHAN Hindmarsh is keen to follow in the footsteps of fellow NRL greats Brad Fittler and Steve Menzies and make an appearance at the Auckland Nines.
Fittler and Menzies were key drawcards in last weekend's inaugural event and the stunning success of the sold out Eden Park event has fired the imagination of Hindmarsh, who retired at the end of 2012.
Hindmarsh was on the sideline as part of the Parramatta support staff as Fittler returned for the Sydney Roosters after 10 years away in their opening game of the tournament.
Speaking at the launch of the NSWRL's Hogs for the Homeless tour on Thursday, Hindmarsh said he was eyeing off the 2015 Nines.
“It looked good out there,” Hindmarsh, 34, said.
“After seeing Freddie and Beaver play you think, `well it's Nines, its not your bash up week-to-week NRL game so there is room for past players to play'.
“It would be great to play in, having Fittler and Beaver added to the hype of it all.
“There were moments there when I thought 'geez how exciting would it be to run out there'.
“It was very well organised and it was a great spectacle and I'm looking forward to next year.”
With the Roosters' priority Saturday's World Club Challenge against Wigan, Fittler was asked by Roosters chairman Nick Politis to take part in the Nines.
Menzies was approached by Manly after injuries to Steve Matai and Jamie Lyon caught them short.
Fittler has already indicated his interest in playing Nines again next year and Hindmarsh could be one of a number of ex-players making a return.
“You never say never and if someone asked me I would seriously think about it,” Hindmarsh said.
“But no one has asked yet.
“It would be easier for blokes like myself or Beaver, and you toss up Luke Burt or Matt Cooper, guys who haven't been out of the game that long, to get out there, it would be a lot easier for them than it was for Freddie.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e-auckland-nines/story-fni3ga7r-1226832739637
- AAP
- FEBRUARY 20, 2014 1:30PM
Nathan Hindmarsh crosses against the Roosters back in his glory days. Source: News Limited
NATHAN Hindmarsh is keen to follow in the footsteps of fellow NRL greats Brad Fittler and Steve Menzies and make an appearance at the Auckland Nines.
Fittler and Menzies were key drawcards in last weekend's inaugural event and the stunning success of the sold out Eden Park event has fired the imagination of Hindmarsh, who retired at the end of 2012.
Hindmarsh was on the sideline as part of the Parramatta support staff as Fittler returned for the Sydney Roosters after 10 years away in their opening game of the tournament.
Speaking at the launch of the NSWRL's Hogs for the Homeless tour on Thursday, Hindmarsh said he was eyeing off the 2015 Nines.
“It looked good out there,” Hindmarsh, 34, said.
“After seeing Freddie and Beaver play you think, `well it's Nines, its not your bash up week-to-week NRL game so there is room for past players to play'.
“It would be great to play in, having Fittler and Beaver added to the hype of it all.
“There were moments there when I thought 'geez how exciting would it be to run out there'.
“It was very well organised and it was a great spectacle and I'm looking forward to next year.”
With the Roosters' priority Saturday's World Club Challenge against Wigan, Fittler was asked by Roosters chairman Nick Politis to take part in the Nines.
Menzies was approached by Manly after injuries to Steve Matai and Jamie Lyon caught them short.
Fittler has already indicated his interest in playing Nines again next year and Hindmarsh could be one of a number of ex-players making a return.
“You never say never and if someone asked me I would seriously think about it,” Hindmarsh said.
“But no one has asked yet.
“It would be easier for blokes like myself or Beaver, and you toss up Luke Burt or Matt Cooper, guys who haven't been out of the game that long, to get out there, it would be a lot easier for them than it was for Freddie.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e-auckland-nines/story-fni3ga7r-1226832739637
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Auckland NRL Nines tournament to remain off-limits to leading Super League clubs
LEADING English clubs will not be included in next year’s Nines despite the NRL’s profits surging past $50 million after a seven-figure windfall from the pre-season extravaganza in Auckland.
The success of the Nines also may not be enough to entice Maroons ace Greg Inglis, who indicated yesterday he is likely to miss the second instalment of the tournament next year.
As revealed by The Courier-Mail, Super League clubs Wigan and Bradford lodged expressions of interest to play in this year’s Nines but were knocked back by organisers.
NRL chief executive Dave Smith said last week the governing body would consider English applications for next year’s Nines but it is understood the event will remain off-limits to Super League, with stakeholders reluctant to tinker with a formula that delivered a $3 million-plus bonanza to the NRL and its 16 clubs.
While the clubs pocketed $2.25m in prizemoney, the NRL will bank an estimated $1m, consolidating the $49.6m surplus it announced at last week’s chief executives meeting in Auckland.
English giants Wigan were desperate to be part of the abbreviated tournament next year, but a number of impediments will preclude a Super League presence in Auckland.
The chief concern is the hectic schedule, with this year’s event featuring 31 games in 48 hours.
Broncos coach Anthony Griffin was one of several prominent figures to flag player workload issues and organisers are aware more teams could lead to more games, placing a greater strain on NRL stars.
Tournament organisers footed a hefty accommodation and transport bill for the NRL clubs, although English teams may be willing to fund their own trip to New Zealand.
The Courier-Mail understands next year’s Nines is likely to be staged earlier, around January 30-31, to avoid a clash with the Cricket World Cup, which starts next February in Australia and New Zealand.
Griffin urged organisers to bring the event forward to aid player welfare, but a January time frame would almost certainly sideline Inglis for the second consecutive year.
Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire wrapped Inglis in cotton wool for this year’s event and the Queensland flyer admits he is at long odds to play next year.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to play if they are looking to move it forward because we (Australia) have the Four Nations at the end of (the NRL season),’’ Inglis said.
Warriors recruit Sam Tomkins is keen for England teams to appear at next year’s Nines, but the British international’s plea is likely to fall on deaf ears.
“It’s definitely something I would like to see,’’ Tomkins said.
“I don’t see why they shouldn’t do it.
"There is enough room for another few teams in this.
“The World Club Challenge is such a big thing for English fans, there is such interest in that.
“If there was a guest side or an English side in the Nines each year it would only attract more fans.
“I think it would be a great thing for the tournament to build on its success.’’
Wallabies convert Israel Folau praised the success of the Nines.
“I watched the Nines and thought it was a good concept,” the former Bronco said.
“The fans in New Zealand really enjoyed it.
"That’s something that’s good for league as well.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...per-league-clubs/story-fni3fbgz-1226833050742
- PETER BADEL
- THE COURIER-MAIL
- FEBRUARY 20, 2014 10:00PM
LEADING English clubs will not be included in next year’s Nines despite the NRL’s profits surging past $50 million after a seven-figure windfall from the pre-season extravaganza in Auckland.
The success of the Nines also may not be enough to entice Maroons ace Greg Inglis, who indicated yesterday he is likely to miss the second instalment of the tournament next year.
As revealed by The Courier-Mail, Super League clubs Wigan and Bradford lodged expressions of interest to play in this year’s Nines but were knocked back by organisers.
NRL chief executive Dave Smith said last week the governing body would consider English applications for next year’s Nines but it is understood the event will remain off-limits to Super League, with stakeholders reluctant to tinker with a formula that delivered a $3 million-plus bonanza to the NRL and its 16 clubs.
While the clubs pocketed $2.25m in prizemoney, the NRL will bank an estimated $1m, consolidating the $49.6m surplus it announced at last week’s chief executives meeting in Auckland.
English giants Wigan were desperate to be part of the abbreviated tournament next year, but a number of impediments will preclude a Super League presence in Auckland.
The chief concern is the hectic schedule, with this year’s event featuring 31 games in 48 hours.
Broncos coach Anthony Griffin was one of several prominent figures to flag player workload issues and organisers are aware more teams could lead to more games, placing a greater strain on NRL stars.
Tournament organisers footed a hefty accommodation and transport bill for the NRL clubs, although English teams may be willing to fund their own trip to New Zealand.
The Courier-Mail understands next year’s Nines is likely to be staged earlier, around January 30-31, to avoid a clash with the Cricket World Cup, which starts next February in Australia and New Zealand.
Griffin urged organisers to bring the event forward to aid player welfare, but a January time frame would almost certainly sideline Inglis for the second consecutive year.
Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire wrapped Inglis in cotton wool for this year’s event and the Queensland flyer admits he is at long odds to play next year.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to play if they are looking to move it forward because we (Australia) have the Four Nations at the end of (the NRL season),’’ Inglis said.
Warriors recruit Sam Tomkins is keen for England teams to appear at next year’s Nines, but the British international’s plea is likely to fall on deaf ears.
“It’s definitely something I would like to see,’’ Tomkins said.
“I don’t see why they shouldn’t do it.
"There is enough room for another few teams in this.
“The World Club Challenge is such a big thing for English fans, there is such interest in that.
“If there was a guest side or an English side in the Nines each year it would only attract more fans.
“I think it would be a great thing for the tournament to build on its success.’’
Wallabies convert Israel Folau praised the success of the Nines.
“I watched the Nines and thought it was a good concept,” the former Bronco said.
“The fans in New Zealand really enjoyed it.
"That’s something that’s good for league as well.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...per-league-clubs/story-fni3fbgz-1226833050742