Israel Folau quits AFL for rugby league return

Staff writers, Yahoo!7 Updated November 1, 2012, 4:10 pm

Star AFL convert Israel Folau is leaving GWS to return to rugby league next season.

Folau shocked league pundits when he switched codes and signed with the AFL's newest franchise Greater Western Sydney in 2010.

Giants CEO Dave Matthews and head coach Kevin Sheedy join Folau at a press conference at four o’clock this afternoon.

They announced their disappointment but praised Folau for his honesty.

The 23-year-old codehopper said it was a difficult decision to make.

In July, Folau vehemently denied he would be leaving GWS when his contract ended in September this year. In his 13-game career in the AFL, Folau kicked 2 goals, 8 behinds, 22 marks and 18 tackles for the Giants.

According to Fairfax Folau will be joining the Parramatta Eels in the NRL.

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53 Comments

Chris02:46pm Thursday 01st November 2012 ESTReport Abuse

What a joke AFL has become, constant rule changes and player poaching off different codes. Almost lost me.

Wicked Wiz of the West02:53pm Thursday 01st November 2012 ESTReport Abuse

Well At least he had the balls to give it a go. Good luck in whatever you do in the future Israel. Well done :-)

6 Replies

David02:53pm Thursday 01st November 2012 ESTReport Abuse

This does not surprise me at all let him go back to thugby league where he belongs if thats what he really wants.

8 Replies

Robert02:54pm Thursday 01st November 2012 ESTReport Abuse

for the love of money nothing else everyone would do the same

02:59pm Thursday 01st November 2012 EST Report Abuse

How has it become a joke Chris regarding player poaching from other codes??? There are or were 2,only 2 out of nearly 700 AFL players who were poached from another code. Its hardly numbers or percentages to get your knickers in a knot!! Yes some of the rule changes have been frustrating but every ball sport goes through about the same amount of rule changes every year so its hardly an AFL problem and to be honest the rule changes at times have actually benefited the game. If you dont like i t #$%$ off ' and go support another game like soccer where they dive at a simple touch or their refs consistently miss offside goals or vice versa or maybe go support the NRL. Sick of whingers like you that continually bag the game and forever threaten to walk away from the game but never do. Build a bridge and get over it or find another sport !!

Show:

1 2
Chris02:46pm Thursday 01st November 2012 ESTReport Abuse
What a joke AFL has become, constant rule changes and player poaching off different codes. Almost lost me.
3 1
Wicked Wiz of the West02:53pm Thursday 01st November 2012 ESTReport Abuse
Well At least he had the balls to give it a go. Good luck in whatever you do in the future Israel. Well done :-)
6 Replies
1 0
David02:53pm Thursday 01st November 2012 ESTReport Abuse
This does not surprise me at all let him go back to thugby league where he belongs if thats what he really wants.
8 Replies
2 0
Robert02:54pm Thursday 01st November 2012 ESTReport Abuse
for the love of money nothing else everyone would do the same
5 3
02:59pm Thursday 01st November 2012 EST Report Abuse
How has it become a joke Chris regarding player poaching from other codes??? There are or were 2,only 2 out of nearly 700 AFL players who were poached from another code. Its hardly numbers or percentages to get your knickers in a knot!! Yes some of the rule changes have been frustrating but every ball sport goes through about the same amount of rule changes every year so its hardly an AFL problem and to be honest the rule changes at times have actually benefited the game. If you dont like i t #$%$ off ' and go support another game like soccer where they dive at a simple touch or their refs consistently miss offside goals or vice versa or maybe go support the NRL. Sick of whingers like you that continually bag the game and forever threaten to walk away from the game but never do. Build a bridge and get over it or find another sport !!
11 Replies