With the news that the Sharks have proposed to move five home games to Bluetongue Stadium for desperately needed income, why not take the lot up there?
If they did that, the NRL would giftwrap them $8 million, which I’m sure could be negotiated to $10 million even in today’s economic climate.
Everyone acknowledges that there are so many reasons to have an NRL team up there:
1. Traditional league heartland
2. Great stadium
3. Leagues club across from stadium
4. Great nursery for junior and senior players
5. Lifestyle
The list goes on and on.
The NRL are now ready to commit a team there, so they are really daring one of the clubs to make the move.
NRL clubs in Sydney are petrified of entertaining this idea after the Northern Eagles debacle. And rightly so, to some extent.
They are concerned the locals won’t buy in to a relocated team. The locals want their “own” team to support. I can understand this.
However, what about Bill, John and Mick, who support the Rabbitohs, Tigers and Eels? Do they ditch their Sydney teams to support the Sharks?
No they don’t.
Do they ditch their Sydney team to support a new start up Central Coast team?
I doubt it.
Any League follower on the Central Coast already follows an NRL team. Look at the Central Coast Mariners. They have good support but still average around ten to twelve thousand people at each home game, leaving another ten thousand empty seats.
This is still an impressive figure for the size of the area.
However, why aren’t they selling out every home game? This is the only pro sporting team representing the area. This is their team, the one they call their own.
Why didn’t the NRL set up a team there ten years ago?
The Titans have done a great job re-establishing themselves after several failed attempts. They have finally got it right and the timing couldn’t be better as South East Queensland is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.
The NRL didn’t hesitate in awarding a team there, while the Central Coast never stood a chance. Does the NRL think the Central Coast is a sporting graveyard?
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
By the way, my pick for the Central Coast Team....the Storm. The premier league team already plays here...trains out of Mt Penang. If the new Super 15 team goes to Melbourne, I can see the Storm having to relocate at some stage.
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
Chop....despite what everyone may think; we are NOT a suburb of Sydney. Anyone arguing anything different will be asked to leave immediately.
Col the Bear
Guest
Oh guys they are just waiting for the Bears..I haven't been around lately been training for the half marathon.. don't worry the CC Bears will be up and running before you know it...cheers Col.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
The C coast are just waiting to embrace a team of their own, just like they did the Mariners. however, the Mariners made every post a winner in becoming "embraceable".
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I agree with you Jaymz, I think the NRL have missed the boat with the Central Coast. Why they didn't set up a team there 10-15 years ago is beyond me. I think they were relying on the Bears relocating in 1999 which fell apart due to delays in completing the Stadium. On the flipside though is that the CC don't have a Winter Pro sporting team to support. The Mariners play in Summer so it makes you wonder the possibilities.
jaymz
Roar Rookie
Personally, i think its too late. Rugby League had their chance and now its gone, the mariners have established themselves there now and i dont think the poulation is big enough to support more than one sporting team. The NRL should be offering this incentive to teams willing to relocate areas where there are no teams even remotely close like Adelaide, Perth, NT or even (i doubt very much) Papua New Guniea. IMO Papua New Guniea should be the priority expansion team, it brings in more corporate money, more players and more support, not to mention gives International Rugby League a boost... but that is a different topc all together
sheek
Guest
The Central Coast is anything but a graveyard. Any club in any sport having financial troubles, immediately thinks to themselves, "Let's move to Gosford". However, it's a graveyard for anyone with the temerity to think they can just waltz in because they're having some trouble in their own backyard. The unbelievable gall & arrogance of Cronulla-Sutherland to think the Central Coast will solve all their problems like waving a magic wand, has ensured the Sharks will never get a look-in into the Central Coast. CC might be desperate for top quality sporting teams, but not THAT desperate, that they will allow anyone to walk all over them!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Just want to clarify a spelling typo in the 5th paragraph, The NRL are NOT ready to award the Central Coast a start up team.
Chop
Roar Guru
I would be surprised if the NRL thought the Central Coast was a graveyard. I think it's more likely that the NRL think the Central Coast is closer to the Sydney CBD than Campbelltown is, it's basically a suburb of Sydney. The Mariners aren't selling out every game because it's SOCCER!! Personally, I like soccer but can tell you that the Coast is a League town.