By M1tch -
November 29th 2009 @ 4:59am
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NRL must introduce a pre-season tournament
That’s right, it’s time the NRL brings back the pre-season Cup, in addition to incorporating teams from the Queensland Cup, Bundy Cup and an affiliated states team.
The upcoming All Stars game shows that the NRL wants to try new rules and innovations. Like our friends in the AFL, a pre-season tournament is the perfect place to try these.
They should also incorporate what the English have done for over 100 years in both rugby league and football, having a Challenge/FA Cup where lower division teams can have a crack at the big boys of the NRL.
Imagine the Redcliffe Dolphins facing the Brisbane Broncos or the Sydney Bulls taking on the Dragons, playing country teams in the bush to show we support bush footy, with it all culminating with a final at Suncorp Stadium.
A knock-out competition with 32 teams comprising of the 16 NRL teams, seven teams each from NSW/ACT and Queensland, an affiliated states team and a New Zealand team, with three knockout rounds before the season and two weekends before round three and six for the semi and grand finals.
Do I dare say it would be another revenue raiser for the NRL where proceeds could go into country and grassroots League?
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Firestarter Bob said | November 29th 2009 @ 6:56am | Report comment
How good do you think the non NRL teams will be in February? No fitness and no ballwork. Even if they play four quarters they will get flogged by a 100 points.
It’s a nice idea but can’t work as a pre season cup.
Pippinu said | November 29th 2009 @ 7:10am | Report comment
Agreed – the modern NRL is light years ahead of the next levels of competition (as is the AFL) – both game do not allow for mere mortals to challenge teams at the elite levels – they are very different games to soccer where that’s still a possibility (and even then, it’s becoming harder in the modern age as the top teams are in a class of their own).
It’s a bit like NZ playing Japan or Canada in rugby, 90+ point margins are a given.
Springs said | November 29th 2009 @ 11:20am | Report comment
If the non NRL teams prepare for the pre-season comp they will be fitter. But I cannot imagine February games in QLD, especially at the QLD Cup grounds. It might work as a Challenge Cup-style knockout, with only the best lower grade teams playing the NRL sides, but even then I don’t think QLD cup and NSW Cup are as close to the NRL as the Co-Operative Championships are to the ESL. The Pre-season Cup could work with just the NRL sides, replacing the trials, all we have now is the Charity Shield.
M1tch said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
a few of the qld cup teams would have beaten the Sharks and Roosters this season
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 7:56am | Report comment
Hey Mitch, i dont know if you heard the news, the NRL and ARL have now got that Commission we all wanted.
So any new ideas of how to grow the game will be coming from them, at last. Time to get the bubbly out buddy. Gallop will run the NRL, and Colin Love has 2 years with a 8, man and woman board, so any decisions will not be made by Colin Love, although he did the best he could under the ARL, i think his time is nearly up, looks like he is just going to be a steady influience on the board.
Great news. The NSW and Qld comps hopefully will be run under this structure, if they dont come on board, they will be left to fend on their own. So it all looks good for grass roots, and all clubs will own the game. Ripper, now we can expand, the 1st 2 teams look like being Ipswich and Bears, safety option, we need areas that dont make a losss, and cannot collaspe.
So any thought of Perth is not going to happen, maybe 5-10 years when they really have a good chance of standing on their own 2 feet. Cheers mate.
Who said i talk garbage. Its coming brother.
M1tch said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
Colin Love is in charge..I doubt anhything will change
Paul J said | November 29th 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment
INDEPENDENT COMMISSION !!!!!!! This is a day league fans will never forget..
Here’s what they have said on the Super Footy web site…..
END of an era … The 2009 premiership winners the Melbourne Storm will be the last team to win under rugby league’s old structure.
RUGBY league is about to be handed back to the people with a long-awaited independent commission just weeks away from becoming a reality. In the most stunning administration shake-up since Super League, News Ltd (publisher of The Sunday Mail) and the Australian Rugby League are finalising an agreement that will mean independence day arrives before the March kick-off to the 2010 season.
“It could even be all sorted by Christmas – if not before the start of next season,” said a prominent official.
The Sunday Mail has learnt a series of high-powered meetings involving key stakeholders has resolved the major sticking points and lawyers acting for both parties are now nutting out the finer details of the agreement.
Among the key architects of the proposal are Gold Coast Titans boss Michael Searle and Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis.
The key to any agreement has been the future of the Melbourne Storm and the reluctance of the Queensland Rugby League and the NSW Rugby League to come on board.
As part of establishing the commission:
Premiers Melbourne Storm are likely to be sold to a consortium of investors for just $1 in a paperwork transaction that allows News Ltd to leave the game, but its involvement in the Brisbane Broncos as majority shareholder would remain unchanged at this stage.
David Gallop will be put on a three to five-year contract to remain as CEO.
ARL supremo Colin Love will be the inaugural chairman for two years.
The 16 NRL clubs will have an equal share in all profits from the game after grants are paid to the respective leagues to look after the grass roots.
Two new clubs will be added by 2013 – most likely from Queensland and the Central Coast of NSW.
The expansion plans are being driven by a desire to make the most of television rights agreements, with the current deals with Channel Nine and Fox Sports up for renewal in 2012.
With a greater geographical presence adding to the bargaining power of rugby league’s huge ratings around the country, a new broadcast deal could be worth in excess of $1 billion.
In a first, rugby league plans to split its major products – offering the State of Origin and finals as separate products to regular NRL matches.
If another team does join the Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL from 2013, it will be the first time four Queensland teams have played in the same league since 1996.
The South Queensland Crushers, based at Suncorp Stadium, were dissolved at the close of the Super League war at the end of 1997.
A Rockhampton-based consortium has already been working hard to establish a franchise but
Gallop has expressed an interest in a franchise in the Ipswich-Logan corridor.
Springs said | November 29th 2009 @ 11:24am | Report comment
Well good. The only annoying thing in there is he quotes ‘a prominent official’. Tell us who he is damn it!
Paul J said | November 29th 2009 @ 10:45am | Report comment
Sorry guys, i got a bit off subject by the independent commission announcment. Thanks for the tip oikee.
Mitch
I’d love to see a FA cup style pre season but unlike soccer rugby league can be quite brutal and the NRL would not want their stars injured playing against Qld cup & NSW cup teams.
Also RL is a higher scoring game than soccer and as Pip said there would be the danger of some big blow out score lines.
I’d like to see how Redcliffe would go against the NRL teams though.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 11:40am | Report comment
Yes, i wont get to excited either. One thing that will happen is that the NRL will be a stronger comp and like AFL, can then attrack interest from non NRL areas. All i have to further add is this, with time the NRL will grow into other states, we dont need to rush them, this will happen with natarul progression. What we have to realise is that Melbounre , after 10 years is still struggling finacially, so no more talk about Perth for now, if they were in it would cost the NRL at least 10 million a year to prop them up. So for now, we need to keep concentrating on Grass-roots over their, Maybe if they ever get a stadium built like the new Melbourne stadium, then we can consider a move their. Cheers.
Same applies to Qld, no good adding teams if they have not got a stadium. The government would have to come on-board, and i can only surgest that Ipswich is the place where they would be willing to do such. Ipswich cannot play out of Suncorp, it would be a disaster having their fans travel into Brisbane for every game. If Central Queensland can get some serious money to build a new stadium, they could be the ones who succeed, so it all comes down to government lobbying. Cheers.
Corey said | December 1st 2009 @ 12:31am | Report comment
I am from Ipswich, in fact the suburb I live in is the proposed site for the team- but I must say that Ipswich people are passionate about their league and has one of the highest population percentage of RL players out of any city in SEQ, but I think it would be better for the NRL and RL to put a team in Central Queensland, as it is easier for Ipswich fans to cheer on the Broncos and catch a train for less than an hour to the game than Central Queensland to cheer on any team. I would love to see a club achieve a year of sell-out crowds (especially the Broncos or Bulldogs with their large stadiums) as this would do wonders for the game in Australia and the world. This would make the Television deals more lucrative- as would a team in Perth, but I do agree about the “propping up” problem, although Perth has a better Rugby League base than Melbourne does. Its great to see a large response though so early for Rugby League.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 11:07am | Report comment
Gret news, only the other day i was thinking if the NRL could acheive a 700 million t/v deal, that would leave about 100 million for a war chest. But if they acheive a 1 billion dollar deal, it would be like having around 400 million to do what you want, as long as we have no expansion clubs who need to be propped up.
Great news all round, for Grass-roots it will be a bonanza. They might be able to now sink some good money into Aderlaide and Perth grass-roots, and even NZ. Not to mention what this could mean for the island nations, all should at least benifit from some real growth for once. Yipee. Way to go. And at least we dont have to worry about what is not happening with rugby league growth. Man, what a fantastic outcome this is for the game. Bring on the 4 nations.
Rugby league fans have now got what we waited for, our game back in the hands of the people, and the Bears are back, back in a big way. That’s another reason to celebrate. Where’s Col the bear.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
I think that the NRL if they do get a good TV deal, build a warchest for the bad times that clubs are goiing to have from time to time. Especially required if we do expand to areas like Perth, where we can’t afford to muck it up again, and will need to make sure money is there if the club requires it (though that said, the club should have all the boxes ticked, as it really should be self sufficient).
A warchest may allow a AFL Auskick type program, using touch rugby league, or oztag (preferred) to get boys and girls involved at a school level (which should be able to introduce all the skills, without the injuries). This then allows those involved to understand the rules of the game, and hopefully allows for a larger supporter base in the future, as well as some of these people moving on to play the full contact version.
I just hope we can get this up and running, and see News Ltd off well before the next TV Deal. WIll be great if a bidding war does start (I am sure Kerry Stokes wants some revenue over what Packer did last time).
Col the Bear said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
What a differance a week makes !! we’ve still got a bit of work to do.. but yes the CCBears are looking good..
Could someone explain to me now why the CRL are still persisting with the name CC Crusaders for the juniors on the CC in conjunction with the Knights..when the CC residents voted fully in support of the Juniors being known as the CC Cubs..newcastle can finance their own NSW Cup side.. and leave the CC alone ..and stop trying to hinder the CCBears getting up.
The NSDRLFC, will deliver the Central Coast and the North Shore, their own team… and 101 years of tradition will live on…in the Red and Black…
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
Col, new you would be around, mate you must be estatic. Just want your veiw on which other team should enter along with your club. ? Now giving that i mentioned no team should enter without stadium, who would you surgest get the nod, and why. ?
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:33pm | Report comment
Hopefully a indepedant commision can start planning for the games future, first thing they should be doing is requesting official expressions of interest for expansion. We have plenty of areas who want to join, but currently it’s done in a very ad hoc manner. Give the new areas a timetable for when they will need to be ready (2012/3 staggered entry to allow each team to recruit without creating a huge bidding war), as well as being able to use these new teams to deliver a better TV contract (especially if we can get another team in Perth).
Might even be able to plan for the introduction of new teams in say 2016-17 by seeing the bids that don’t make the grade this time around, push harder for the next time bids come up (ie PNG, 2nd NZ?)
macavity said | November 30th 2009 @ 11:26am | Report comment
what is the problem with the CRL wanting to give CC kids a path to the NRL? The Bears don’t base their teams there.
if the CC wants to show it can handle an NRL team (which in spite of what the die hard bears fans think, is no where near a given), it could start by supporting the Crusaders.
Tom Alexander. said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
And to actually call it an independant commission is a sick joke especially if Gallop (News Limited) is to be in charge for another 3 years with Colin Love (of all people) an ARL man, in charge for 2. Just when we thought there was light at the end of the tunnel, they pull this one on us. What a bloody disaster this would be for our game. 1 step forward 2 steps back. A sick joke on all of us. Our game needs to wipe the slate clean starting with all the dinosaurs who have had, in some cases, over 25 years in administration to get things right but couldn’t be bothered (more interested in the free trips/junkets). Our game can’t afford anymore smoke and mirrors.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:35pm | Report comment
I understand why they did this, you can’t just break off with what we have, consider this a transition. Colin Love is just being handed his retirement money, and I am sure that it will be smart business men that actually make the decisions on where the game is going.
As for Gallop, I think without News Ltd as his paymaster, he could probably be a lot better leader.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
Tom, i know you have a downer on Colin Love, believe me, he has the hardest job in the bussiness, trying to prop up grow in the country, he controls all the Junior Kangaroo teams, along with the inter-States compititions. He is a man of knowleadge about the game and his knowleadge will be used for possibly 2 years while they get settled. The last thing we want is for someone to take control, not have a clue what they are doing, and tottally, mess the whole thing up.
Yes Colin is a dinosaur, but he at least knows the game, he is probably only looking at 2 years before he retires. So it will be 2 years well spent. And worth every penny in what he has to offer, even though nobody likes him. Cheers mate. Just be happy, we have people on the board with lots of Grunt, nothing will go wrong.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
Well at least we have learnt one thing, any bid will only be looked at if the area can , or does have a decent stadium. This is one criteria that Super league is finding out, and has clubs struggling to make ends meet.
So i expect a host of expansion areas to now be heard come toomoorow. But all should be rejected unless they have a stadium in place or have plans for 1.
Yes dogs of war, Oztag and Kids to Kangaroos , along with a weight devision would be top piority. Things are looking good.
Just one other thing, i have done a rough calculation, and with the surplus going directly to clubs, they could afford to lift the salary cap to at least 6.5 million over the next 3 years. This would only take up around 50 million to afford, but would bring instant success to holding our stars.
Something we have not been able to do. We never want to poach any players, that just defeats the purpose of what rugby league stands for, we need to attrack our own players through the grass-roots system, and also allow for some overseas signings. All is good.
Kids to Kangaroos should be promoted at every school in the country. And have our star players visit every school to help promote this concept, i love this program, i am sure kids would love it also.
Woody Warambel said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:33pm | Report comment
No No No – the season is long enough already.
M1tch said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
they already play 3-4 pre season games, lets make them worth something
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:22pm | Report comment
Not all teams do (Bulldogs only ever play 2). And most do with extended squads of up to 30 players so a large rotation occurs (especially when competition for places is happening). Not to mention those who play more than 2, are usually playign against bush league teams (and sometimes more than one in the same game, typically west tigers do something like this).
AFL’s pre season cup is a bit of a joke, and any that the NRL introduced would be treated the same by over half the clubs.
M1tch said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
The trails are nothing now, i dont mind if reserve players get a go, but Im sure a few clubs wouldnt mind a winning prize of 100k
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
Being old enough to remember things like the Pansonic Cup, and the Toohey’s New pre-season cup, the only type that would still be good to revisit is the Pansonic Cup style mid week comp. THe Pre season cups where usually thrown in the first round by clubs that just put all their juniors and reserve players in, no different to how the Swans treat the current pre season cup the AFL has.
I don’t see the benefits as it just makes a long season even longer. Something that might be better is to have a 7’s/9’s comp to kick off the season, a great way to kick off the new season, with an event like that being able to be sold to the highest bidder (and pretty much doing the same thing as you are suggesting).
M1tch said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:32pm | Report comment
Remember how NRL trailed 11 per side in under 20’s?
This is what this could be, something different to try ‘crazy’ ideas and see what happens.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
U20’s are perfect for that. Better than a pre season trial that most clubs only use for fitness and to knock the rust off combinations. A lot of the best players only play between 40-60mins in these games as their is no point risking injury before the comp has even started.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
Now your talking, yes a 9’s game would be good, and have all teams enter. Knockout comp.
Every team in OZ, even perth and aderlaide. Excellent idea.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
Oikee if you were to have a 9’s style comp, you would have regional comps first, where the winners get to play the big boys of the NRL in a 2 day comp. Would generate a lot of interest for all clubs in Australia, with maybe the best 2 NSW clubs (non-NRL affliated) being admitted, and the same for QLD clubs. Should even be opportunities for clubs in VIC etc to enter those regional comps to have a chance of being their, I am sure this would be a great promotion for the game.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Dogs of War, spot on, and beleive me, its going to happen. I have just read a report about Nines and tag rugby league becoming very popular, not only here, but around other countries. And i like your option, its the fairest. Both, mens and Womens.. Maybe even a junior comp as well. Under 13’s.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:41pm | Report comment
I should comment on the subject. No to a pre season cup. Would much prefer the State of Origin weekends to be standalone fixtures, with Internationals between Pacific Island nations occurring on the same weekend, and maybe a North Island vs South Island fixture for NZ players. This should satisfy the TV demands of the game, being able to fill up the TV schedule with quality fixtures. This would also really help the International game develop the secondary countries into formidable outfits, and hopefully within a decade see a culture of the Islander players wanting to represent PNG, Fiji and the like over nominating for Australia.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:55pm | Report comment
Hey Dogs, if you go and have alook at international rugby league site, you would find that Samoa has a tour next year already planned. And as for Origin, their is no way it will be stand alone , its a product that is growing where it is, everyone loves it and we dont want to push the season around anymore, other wise we will be playing world cup and 4 nations in the middle of summer.
The Challenge cup in the UK is struggling to keep interest until the play-offs, so a knockout comp would be much the same, we all need a break at the end of the year. The indigernous game is looking like being a permanent fixture, maybe we could also add a Tonga Samoa, Cook,island and Solomon islands clash to this each year. See how this goes 1st.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Does anyone read my posts. FORGET PERTH, I HAVE JUST FINSIHED TELLING YOU GUYS WE CANT AFFORD 10 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR PROPPING UNREADY TEAMS UP THAT DONT HAVE STADIUM. SO PERTH I AM SORRY TO SAY, WONT BE READY UNTIL 2020. IF THEY STARTED NOW.
Look, Let the perth government put up a bid, surely they will realise that to be part of mainstream Australia they need a NRL team. If not, good luck to them with AFL soccer and rugby. The NRL should not spend a dime in Perth, take alook at what QLD government spent on Suncorp, and look at the benifits of the stadium, if perth are to stupid to realise what a team can do for their state, i will just go about my bussiness pretending they are not part of OZ, like i have done for the last 40 years.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:02pm | Report comment
Oikee, it depends on what Perth offers the game. TV contract wise it could be a seed that increases the overall worth by a fair margin as the game gets closer to having National Coverage in the League. It won’t be the first TV contract that we see the worth of having a team like Perth in the League though, it will be the one after. It’s no different to what the AFL are doign in Western Sydney, the plan isn’t to get money this time around (as really their worth TV wise is 0, or even negative at this point), but the TV contract afterwards if they can make it work.
It all comes down to timing everything correctly, makign sure that any bid put in is self sufficient, and maybe even a talk with the State Govt (including Union and Soccer) to make sure a financially viable stadium exists (especially for the corporate support). There are plenty of sponsorship options in the West, with so many mining companies having their head offices in NSW/QLD, which could see them viewing any new team in the West as something that helps link them to the community a little more.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Dogs, if you think this would happen, it would have already happened, trust me. Perth’s interest are in Union and AFL, ? No biggie, we are still trying to get rugby league on Prime time in Melbourne, but Perth will just open their arms to rugby league.? ,,,,,Dont think so,,,,,,. Look, perth is not a ascentual part of rugby league, yes we all want it to be, but like i said, let them scream out for a team .
The ARL national game should be focused now on a strong comp, in our heartlands, Why? because we are selling the game to international audiences, what we dont want is a perth crowd not turning up or a team getting flogged every game. Our bid teams in QLD and the Bears will be instant success because they know the game.
So we are past expansion for expansion sake, we are about putting on the best show for world audience now.
Like i said, in time Perth will come to our party, not the other way around,. We have a good comp over their doing wonders, let them keep going at it, and hopefully one day they might get the support from their own government they need..
Their was a report saying that having a team in Perth wont add to our T/V deal, its true, they wont show games free to air, i think they can get games on Pay tv, so let the interest build up there more. Cheers.
Mick from Giralang said | November 29th 2009 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
Perth Reds were carving out a healthy niche in the WA sporting scene when they were canned at the insistence of News as part of the Superleague war peace settlement. After only three years, they were matching some of the Sydney clubs for crowds and already had 3-4 local kids playing in the top grade. With union already established in Perth, it would deven easier to establish the Reds again, and gain another firm foothold for our great game.
Oikee is right about the need for a proper rectangular stadium.. The NRL should join forces with soccer and union and offer to establish a rugby league team there in returnfor a quality stadium, just like the Queensland taxpayers are being forced to pay for an AFL stadium on the Gold Coast against their will. The Victorian government is already reaping dividends from its investment in a proper football stadium, with four national football clubs to use the new Storm homeground.
bever fever said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
The area of Western Australia is roughly a third of Australia, so it’s fitting that the state also accounts for roughly a THIRD of all Australian exports by REVENUE.
BY all means ignore WA, but give back the taxes that build your football stadiums.
WA is propping up your standard of living.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
Yeah, except that for the majority of the existence of Australia, it’s been NSW doign that for the other states. NSW has been getting ripped off in allocations from taxes paid to support the rest of Australia for a long time.
Mick from Giralang said | November 29th 2009 @ 4:48pm | Report comment
Correct DOW.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw-may-lose-tax-revenue-to-boom-states-20090809-ee8k.html
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 6:03pm | Report comment
Maybe losing money will be better for rugby league in NSW, if its anything like England, they have record crowds at the football, maybe they just sing their blues away. Something the NSW people need to learn, as for QLD, believe me, we need every penny we can get our hands on, not only do we have great crowds, but all the new comers to the state also get involved in rugby league, same would be happening for AFL and union in Perth.
Maybe a team in Perth might be a good idea, we still have a couple of years to go before expansion, no need to rush. Like D.O.W said in a post, let them bid for a team, get some expressions of interest. See who is fair dinkim.
Redb said | November 30th 2009 @ 11:35am | Report comment
Not just NSW, Victoria has also subsidised other states.
macavity said | November 30th 2009 @ 11:29am | Report comment
not in NSW mate.
here the Hunter is propping up the rest of the busted-arse state.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
QLD is the fastest growing state Beaver, and dont get me wrong, i want Perth back in the comp. But to try to prop a team up like we did last time is madness. To give you a idea., we lost 10 million a season over their, and they had average crowds of 12half thousand, not bad, but until we see at least 20 thousand plus to games that are taken their each year, they have buckleys and none of becoming a expansion team. Plus their is none of those big companies you are talking about sinking money into rugby league that is already their.
Yes Perth might make cash, but there spending has alot to be desired, i have not heard any big guns talking rugby league, so they dont notice us, we dont notice them. Probably sinking all their cash into rugby. That is their choice. As i mentioned earlier, maybe the NRL can now sink some money into Perth, if it was me, i would not bother.
Some times you just have to earn respect before its given. Perth has done nothing for rugby league, but their are plenty willing to sink dollars into other codes. Thats my thoughts, others are willing to jump through hoops.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
That’s rather short sighted oikee. Perth actually had juniors coming through, and considering how long they were around, it shows that League really should get a team over their ASAP, given they present a good business case like the Titans.
Perth has been doing the hard yards, joining the NSW cup for a few seasons, with the experience those players having got, now being transfered back into the local comp. Perth this season has withdrawn from the NSW Cup, but only so they can focus their limited dollars on the junior side of the game, making sure that even before they are readmitted, local kids will be coming through the ranks and hopefully even ready for First Grade.
Personally I agree with the way they are approaching getting readmitted. WHat doesn’t help is a NRL that keeps talking down expansion, which leaves all these bid teams in limbo not sure of if what they are doing is a waste of time. Hard to get people to commit money to an unknown.
Col the Bear said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
If I’ve learnt anything oikee in the past 10 years is that.. it’s not over until it’s over.. the day the CCBears run out onto Blue tongue in their 101 year old colours of red and black, then I’ll celebrate..yes we are getting closer, and yes we have got everything in place..but we still have a way to go..and we are not resting until we’re in…
as for another team to come in with us.. truthfully, i would like to see the Reds back, but I think it’ll be the SQ Jets?? out of Ipswich.. who could play at QE2 stadium until their stadium is completed as The Titans did until skilled stadium was up…
The biggest thing in our favour is Bear Stadium Gosford.. and we still have 11 years playing rights to the stadium to go(original deal was 21years), with a further option after that..and I’m certain we’ll take that up..
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
Good Col, yes, you just might have it 100% right, depends on what funds the QLD government are willing to submit, not sure if they go for ipswich, and be safe, or go for a city like Rockhampton, with massive potential to become a huge city by placing a team their. If it was me, i would go for rocky, and open up the growth. Not sure our government is clever enough, and they missed the dam opportunity, no it will be ipswich, unless we change government before then.
cheers.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:33pm | Report comment
You want to gamble on Rocky getting big, but not on Perth which is big?
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
No not gamble on Rocky, the difference being is that rocky will get 20 thousand to every game, so thats not a gamble.
The gamble is Perth, getting 20 thousand when your team has submitted to injuries, and they will, is not good. Give them time to grow, Rocky probably has 20 times the base Perth does. And they dont just like rugby league, they would walk over broken glass for rugby league.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 3:13pm | Report comment
It’s not the crowds that will make the club survive, more so the corporate support that will. I just don’t think the area can support the club in that sense.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
Well they have some of QLD richest men on board, so i dont know how you come up with that equassion, anyhow, thought you learnt a lesson , its all about Memberships, remember.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 4:08pm | Report comment
Memberships are just one of several areas that clubs need. You only have to look at NRL clubs at the moment to know you can survive with low membership bases, it’s about having that corporate support, and you can’t assume it’s a given as the Central Qld teams will have a different appeal to a Brisbane Broncos from a corporate dollar point of view.
Yeah maybe there are some rich corporations around, but that’s just the major sponsor sown up, gettign all those smaller sponsors on board is a much harder task, especially when you think about tough times hitting the club on and off the field, will the club just go to the wall considering it would be relying a lot on memberships and smaller sponsors to stay interested?
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
Well to be honest, the NRL would have already had talks with someone in the Government sector in Perth. and probably what has come out of those talks is as follows.” Wait until we see what happens with the soccer world cup bid. If its successful then we will build a purpose built stadium and be happy to help fund a rugby league team.”
So, as the NRL would have already knowleadge of this, as they did the commission, but were trying to hold back the news for as long as possible, but we had Turvey going ballistic, and Gallop had to keep making t/v appearences, remember when i said this a couple of weeks ago, ? I said Gallop does not need all this publicity, because behind the scenes he is getting on with things, well this happens behind the scenes, so a bid team already knows if they are a chance or not, and the Bears and Qld are making all the noise.
I am not saying that other areas have no chance, but they had better start making noise, and i mean government backing noise.
Col the Bear said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Anna Bligh would have to make a decision which qld bid team she will back.. I can’t see her backing all 3 (SQld, Central Qld and Sunshine Coast).. to build a stadium,1 stadium yes but 3?? but in saying that I think I recall recently that stockland stadium is being built..
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
I think Central Qld would always struggle for cash flow, which leaves only the Ipswitch and Sunshine Coast bids. At this point I think I would probably want to go to Ipswitch as that really helps solidify support in South East Qld, and they have a suitable stadium they can play out of until a better one is built. Sunshine Coast can look at a proper bid 10-15years in the future.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
Not really dogs, its got lots of big bussiness coming on board, and the area is close to all ports. All depends on how much they want the game, i played rocky, and they are league tragics. Abit like me, so support would not be a problem. Anyhow, should make for good reading over the next few months, all these sleeping giants awoken by this news. You watch the headlines come thick and fast from toomoorow.
Just one more thing about the rocky bid, it would be perfect for the Papuans, same type of climate, and the lads could suppliment their pay with top up from the Mining industry.
Cheers. Rocky is sounding good, not to mention its also the gateway to some of the most beatiful coastline. And has got huge potential to grow anyway along the coast. Its a wise bid for the government to open up the area, but like i said, not sure our government is that smart. 
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
Stockland stadium, what area is that. Hope its not sunshine coast, or she will have to build another one. All i know is ipswich need a stadium, not sure what they use now, but anything short of world class wont be tolerated, and why should it be, if you want support from bussiness and sponsers, you need a good stadium. As for Rocky, they need to lobby the pollies to get them off 1st base, its all about who can build it best. Which is good, look at the trouble Manly have getting funds, no good trying to get funds after the horse has bolted so to speak.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:35pm | Report comment
Yeah it is the Sunshine Coast. The stadium will only hold 12K when completed. Well short of anythign that is suitable for NRL level games. Though could be used for trials.
EDIT: Just found an article on the Manly website. FOr some reason Manly are looking to play actual NRL matches at this stadium. Probably because their’s holds stuff all as well. Probably see good crowds if they use their Gold Coast or Cowboys homes games at this stadium (or even Melbourne). As the stadium won’t be finished in time, it seems it will have to wait till 2011.
http://www.sunshineseaeagles.com.au/news/no-nrl-at-stockland-stadium/
EDIT 2: http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums.php?id=296
I think the expansion to 25K which is suggested here, would probably see Manly move lock stock and barrel to this area if it happened (or at least use it as leverage to get their own stadium upgraded).
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:56pm | Report comment
I think Manly are doing the right thing,, will get better supported and grow their base. So the sunny coast can come out and see some NRL games. Great idea, areas not big enough to have a team should be looking to do this with clubs. Sydney teams get good support around qld areas, just up the road is a sth sydney fan, plus you have doggie fans around because Steve Price played down their. Good idea, and a money spinner.
Lets be honest, sport is bussiness, if you cant grow you go broke, and nobody wants to see their club fold, at least Gallop understands this, and wants no club to fold from now on.
Tom Alexander. said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
We in Rugby League seem to be stuck on trying to re-invent the wheel (or banging our heads against a bloody brick wall) take your pick. Perth would still have been in the Competition if they, like Adelaide, after the Super-League war, weren’t sacrificed on the alter of compromise. Unfortunately, News Limited decided they would rather pump their millions into teams like the Broncos and the Storm rather than support these new Rugby League ventures. This whole sorry episode has turned out to be a massive wasted opportunity for our code, one that we may never fully recover from if the same bloody idiots who signed off on that decision are once again given key positions in this new “independant” commission. Gallop doesn’t even have the decency to atleast let the Central Coast Bears and everybody else for that matter, know definitively, when the next round of expansion is due. If these same bunch of morons are holding positions of power (effectively running the show) in this new “independant commission”, our code really will be up the creek for a few more years to come.
jake said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:35pm | Report comment
Excellent News that there is an independent commission on the way!!!! Personally i think the expansion teams should be CC Bears and the Perth Reds!!! with Queensland and NZ considered the next time round also a very important issue it getting the free to air games on channel 9 at a decent hr in Victoria next year. I would love to see the NRL go head to head against he AFL, of course NRL would loose but interest would grow every week!!! Plenty of people are interested in RL down here but just cant access it on a regular basis!!!!
Corey said | December 1st 2009 @ 2:36am | Report comment
I would also like to remind people of PNG, I know they won’t have a team by 2012, but may be by 2015-18, and they would get crowds, memberships, sponsors and coverage. Imagine the passion and the style they would bring.
Col the Bear said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
actually stockland might be up in the air now, as Manly have to field a NSW cup side come 2011, and not rely on the sunshine coast sea eagles..
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
MMMM, thats interesting, yes the plot thickens Col, just wondering if the central qld team could be planning something, they have nearly half of QLD on board you know, from sunny coast to Mackay. Bundaburg is one of the richest areas in OZ as you might know. I drove past their not long ago and a hundred dollar note flew into my window.
Gladstone is turning red with iron ore flowing off the backs of railyard wagons. Their is money up their, and its real money.
Brett McKay said | November 29th 2009 @ 3:49pm | Report comment
so getting back to the original topic Mitch, what you’re essentially pitching is not so much a new innovation, but a rebrith of the old AMCO Cup from the 70s, which predated the Panasonic Cup that DoW mentioned.
I agree with Dogs, by the way, mideweek would be the way to do it once you got to the quarters stage, and you could I guess do the first few rounds as pre-season games including country rep and Qld/NSW Cup sides.
And yes, it would be great to see a reconnection with the bush and the district teams, but I think we all know that this probably won’t happen…
Col the Bear said | November 29th 2009 @ 7:19pm | Report comment
the thing that gets me is why the sudden turn around.. last Tuesday the 17th of Nov.it was announced that the CRL and Newcastle had done a deal so the CRL would field a NSW cup side for Newcastle called the Crusaders also for the 18s and 16s for 2010; disregarding what the CC residents wanted ;with the name CC Cubs.. only to be told on the Wednesday that the name is already registered to another sporting code basketball.. then on friday the 20th the same night as the CC Bears launch.. the NRL come out and said there will be NO expansion not in the forseeable future .. then a week later they now say expansion is back on the cards and 2 teams will be admitted by 2013.. wow who could forsee just in a weeks time..
who knows what the next week will hold in this topsy turvy world of NRL…(enter the theme song of Soap)
oikee said | November 30th 2009 @ 7:40am | Report comment
Looks like your topsy turvy world has come back again Col the Bear, now just read that no expansion until 2017.? They are going to consolidate the 16 teams and get the salary cap up to around that 6.5 million i mentioned yesterday. Be a good idea really, at least by then we would have a good understanding of how much we can afford. Unfortunately the Bears and Qld team wont bring any extra t/v revenue to the party.
LT80 said | November 29th 2009 @ 9:08pm | Report comment
This is a great idea, I would love to see it.
The sceptics will say that the gulf is too great between the NRL and state leagues, but I would wager that those people have not been to see a NSW or Queensland Cup recently, if ever.
I went to plenty of NSW Cup games this year and the standard is good and many of the players are fringe 1st grade quality. The Queensland Cup is probably even better.
M1tch said | November 30th 2009 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Be great to see these players against the best, and also so guys who are mid 20’s aren’t not thought about for recruitment by nrl clubs
Paul J said | November 30th 2009 @ 7:30am | Report comment
The game is faster now than ever before. Top players who play an NRL season and SOO and tests are already complaining about burn out and fatigue. I think having 2-4 pre season warm up games which are played in areas that don’t usually get NRL games is the way to go.
The independent commission have stated CC and a South East Qld team will “probably” be where the next expansion will be so you can bet you bottom dollar this is where they’ll go.
David Gallop told the Central Qld team that all bids should be finalised and submitted by mid to late 2011. The CQ bid will need to do something drastic to beat a future bid from Ipswich/Logan in Brisbane.
Col the Bear said | November 30th 2009 @ 6:23pm | Report comment
Oikee, we’re not fazed.. it’s business as usual for the CCBears..we’re planning to be back by 2013 and thats what we intend to do..watch this space
Tom Alexander. said | December 1st 2009 @ 1:16am | Report comment
If we had a return of a mid-week Comp like the Panasonic Cup, maybe the free to air networks could get first pick. I was fearing Rugby League coverage could reach saturation point with another televised Competition, but then i saw the weekly coverage of Soccer which is on at the moment on all the Pay TV Sports Channels, EPL, CC Championships, Serie A, Spanish Ligue, French Championships, US Major League Soccer, Australian Football, European Championships, Russian Championships (now that’s saturation coverage). One more decent Rugby League Competition just might give NRL teams and supporters a 2nd bite of the cherry.
Woody Warambel said | December 2nd 2009 @ 5:37pm | Report comment
But Tom all those other competitions are elite competitions played in countries with populations well in excess of Australia’s.
There are over 50 countries in the world with populations greater than ours. The fact that the NRL can get 3million plus through the gate each season & these spectators come mainly Queensland & NSW which has maybe a combined population of 12 million is a hugh effort.
The NRL competition is the 14th or 15th biggest in the world of all the football codes.( I know the AFL’s is 4th & 90% of there spectators come from the southern states ith a total population of less than 10 million but just ignore that for the moment.)
RL being such a physical game the injury toll is horrendous. Don’t make the season longer.
Better still I would concentrate of 2nd tier comps like the Queensland Cups if supporters wanted a second bite.