I can't veiew Youtube at work - would anyone mind elaborating which campaign they're stealing? is it the 'Big' campaign?

It has the players talking about their love of the game. Close up on players talking, their comments in text panning in.

The AFL version is nearly identical so it's either a conscious decision to emulate it and they have all the permission required (and even that is still a bit bizarre?), or it's a giant mess that's going to get someone in trouble.

It's almost comical seeing Nick Maxwell in the same spot I just saw the greatest player on earth just second before in an identical ad. I keep expecting some sort of skit...

One big difference is that not one of the AFL guys sounded like they'd actually come up with their own lines. America can pull off ads like that, we should stick to ones where the players don't get to talk.

Good call billo. The real answers and emotions are what drove the NBA version and the AFL one failed to emulate it. And they should've known not to put Jack Riewoldt in there lol.

Next we'll see Agro singing "Happy Feet".

" i love this game." straight from the 1990's NBA campaign

if you dont believe me you got to believe Ion Zering



There is an entire blog to the tag line
http://www.unathleticmag.com/2009/11/09/ten-awesome-i-love-this-game-nba-commercials/

Does it really surprise anyone that the AFL cant think for themselves?

Im sure the AFL and NBA had input into the adds made by the network.

Copying is the greatest form of flattery.

But, WTF is 7 on? I guess the only teams playing in the (V)AFL are Collingwood, Carlton, Richmond, St Kilda, Hawthorn, Gold Coast and Footscray (AKA WB). When the vision came on a few token flashes of Brisbane, Essendon, Adelaide, Geelong and Freo.

I can only assume from this advert that West Coast, Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, and Sydney are not playing this season.

Are the AFL downsizing, or don't the last 4 teams matter?

Man the NBA one gives you goosebumps, genuine feel and emotion on the players especially the slightly wacky KG. The AFL one is horrible, BUT perhaps its worse in my eyes now ive been able to compare it to the NBA add. On its own merits its just another add for the AFL, either way im going to watch the footy, because i like the footy.

There's definitely a lot more passion with the NBA one.

Hahahahaha...oh my god, I just watched both. How sterile is the AFL one?

Afl ad - terrible but how good was that old NBA - I love this game ad. Man I love old school!

@billo - absolutely agree. Every player sounds like they've been totally spoon fed their lines.

Bobby, sterile is a great word for it. Cheap like a two-minute noodle packet, and they haven't let the players open the flavour sachet.

"Cheap like a two-minute noodle packet, and they haven't let the players open the flavour sachet."

Isaac, that is Gold! I hope you let me borrow that from time to time

haha Oh dear. What is there to say about this? The AFL's 'version' is horrendous. Painful to watch.

NBA - If you took my heart out, it would be a basketball

AFL - I love living on the Gold Coast, it's good for my tan

Nothing else to say except for - WTF!

Has someone considered bringing this to the attention of TNT?

Imagine if this much energy went into rejuvenating the NBL rather than slagging off the AFL...

Everything's crap about the afl except the footy, but the umpires may stuff that up too.