NRL boss Peter V’landys has hit back at claims the AFL is taking over Sydney following criticism of a rugby league finals crowd last weekend.

A contrast in crowds in Sydney last Friday night in the same Moore Park precinct have led many to believe the AFL is strengthening its foothold in the Harbour City.

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With the Sydney Swans’ preliminary final against Port Adelaide at the 48,000-seat capacity SCG and the Sharks facing the North Queensland Cowboys at the 45,500-seat Allianz Stadium in the same Moore Park precinct, it was a clear win for the AFL.

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The SCG was a sea of red as 44,053 turned out to see the Swans book their place in the AFL Grand Final next Saturday afternoon, where they’ll face either Geelong or Brisbane in the decider.

The Sharks, meanwhile, snapped an eight-game finals losing streak with the 26-18 win in front of just 19,124 fans, or around 42 per cent capacity.

This was pointed out by AFL commentator Brian Taylor on the Channel 7 broadcast.

“Lovely scenes here at the SCG, of course prelim finals,” Taylor said.

“Next door, an NRL game looks half empty there about 10,000 people. The SCG absolutely packed out. Amazing. Give some attention to Aussie rules up here, it’s going pretty well I reckon.”

It came after AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson said last week the success of the Swans and the Giants was proof Aussie Rules was in a good place in NSW.

“Right now, the AFL, the sport of Australian Rules is as healthy in NSW as it is in any other state.

“The SCG is a fantastic place to watch football.

“It’s a reminder of the giant footprint that AFL is putting into NSW.

“Before we’re dead, AFL will take over the rugby league. I’m telling you.”

But V’landys, the ARL Commission chairman, hit back at claims the NRL was losing the battle to AFL in rugby league heartland.

“I think that’s a delusional comment,” V’landys said on Nine’s 100% Footy in the latest chapter to the footy code wars.

“Facts are facts and the AFL has not got the viewers in NSW like rugby league has. “Sometimes they get 23,000 viewers on TV out of Sydney. We get a million. So it’s a bit hard to say that you’re going to take over when you’re that far behind.