Yesterday the Sunday mail released the NRL’s plans to give the game the biggest ‘makeover’ since the Super League, but all it will do is increase the power in Sydney clubs.
The Sunday mail’s two page article revealed that the NRL planned to even up the competition by trying to enforce equal profits between all clubs, allowing Sydney based teams such as Cronulla to earn as much as the Broncos yet only pulling in half the crowds.
This would lead to greater power in Sydney clubs as well as the destruction of the 10 million dollar relocation bail out. The NRL needs to spread the game and not be dragged down by struggling Sydney sides.
Sydney has too much influence on the game in Australia: the grand finals are held there, they have more clubs, all administrators, commentators, referees, judiciary members and media presenters are based there and now they have plans to relocate the Queensland origin team to be based in Sydney.
This would lead to NSW being able to control what the Queensland teams do, where they train, and would inevitably lead to rule changes like 12 interchanges to 10 in 2008, which was highly advantageous for NSW’s more mobile and fit forward pack.
The two main homes of rugby league are Brisbane or SEQ and Sydney. Sydney and Brisbane should have equal power when dealing with changes to the game or competition.
They should have equal power and a similar amount of teams.
The greater Brisbane area has a population of around 3 million, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast areas. Brisbane also has the fastest growing population of all the major cities and a rugby league culture.
Sydney has a population of 4.5 million.
South east Queensland should therefore have two-thirds the number of teams Sydney has.
To add to this, the Sydney region has all the power in NSW rugby league. Queensland, however has its power spread between five different regions and also has a national competition.
The NRL competition needs more teams in Queensland.
So here are my suggestions:
1. The Cronulla Sharks move to the Central Coast. This would mean passionate supporters could travel for a game.
2. New team in West Brisbane, namely the Ipswich/Logan area. With a massive rugby league following, similar to that of western Sydney, and a population of 400,000, the club is assured survival.
3. A team in Central Queensland based in Rockhampton, probably the most league passionate city in Australia.
4. A fourth south east Queensland team on the Sunshine coast, called the Redcliffe/Sunshine Coast Dolphins. The areas of Redcliffe and Sunshine Coast have a population of 100,000 in Redcliffe and 300,000 in the Moreton bay Area, plus the 250,000 people that live on the Sunshine Coast.
5. A team in Port Moresby. Rugby league is the biggest sport in PNG and support for a local team would be massive. It has a similar population to the Sunshine Coast. It joins the Qld cup next year in hope of reaching the NRL by 2013, although unlikely.
6. Finally, a second New Zealand team placed in Wellington.
This would make a 21 team competition which would allow a fairer and equal share of power between all clubs. The competition would be run for twenty weeks, leaving 10 games, with one team having a bye as well as international rest weeks and State of Origins on weekends.
This would also create a rivalry round between all clubs, with Sydney clubs battling it out, New Zealand teams playing each other, games against regional Queensland sides, Central coast Vs Newcastle, Brisbane Vs west Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast Vs Gold Coast.
With the right decisions, the future looks bright for the NRL.
Col the Bear
Guest
Central Coast Bears and SQld jets... 17 and 18th team....you try and move another team to the CC.. and you loose not only the fans from the north Shore but also the sponsorship dollars which have already started to flow in for the CCBears ..we should have been there 10 years ago and everyone was quite happy that we were going to be there...and yes I will keep pushing this agenda..until we are back in the Comp...
jimmy_01
Roar Rookie
their probably just trying to keep the sydney clubs and stop the Bronos from becoming more powerful. The other clubs hsould have to pull their own wieght.
jimmy_01
Roar Rookie
to be honest, I'd be happy if the competition had one team from each city, but Sydney won't allow it will never happen. Brisbane get crowds twice the size of any other teams in the league and are being ignored by Sydney bias administrators Brisbane deseres another chance.
jimmy_01
Roar Rookie
Sydney has a population of 4.5 million, the actual Brisbane fall just short of 2 million. Brisbane is much larger than it was ten years ago and has become more economically stabel inrecent years. David Gallop has publically anounced that a team in West Brisbane is at the top of the agenda when expanding and that a new satdium could be built with support from Anna Bligh (premier of Queensland) who has announced that if the team was given the rites to a franchise then the Government would support the building of a new stadium with an approximate capacity of 25,000 in the Ipswich, Logan area. This would also increase rivalry between the Brisbane teams. The Crushers never had a real home because south queensland isn't a specific place and it fell during the super league as well as many other clubs including Sydney teams. As for the Sharks, they are positioned in an area sorounded by Dragons fans, are positioned in an area that doesn't have great growth prospects and are losing the nrl money yearly. Central Coast want a team and Cronulla still wants ateam to support. It will be slow to start but it you call the side the central coast sharks and change the playing strip etc. the team will eventually be supported by the people of the central coast.
MattRusty
Roar Pro
What an inspiring blog - so good to hear nothing but positive or constructive comments - I hate it when people come on to these articles and start pushing their own agendas around. Well done team!
Proof
Guest
Most Definitely just imagine a sport like rugby league bringing a country like PNG into the 21st century in flying colours...that'll be a lot of positive feedback from rest of the world on the impact it will have
jus de couchon
Guest
I think the Great Barrier Reef should be offered a franchise to arrest the dwindling Coral support. Perhaps The Sharks could relocate there. Think outside the box(jelly Fish).
Tom Alexander.
Guest
It shouldn't really because the Cowboys have managed to do the unthinkable in uniting Rugby League fans from all over the far north. For the Cowboys to be able to successfully persuade Cairns Rugby League fans to travel regularly in large numbers down to Townsville to watch them play their home matches, was a major feat in itself. The rivalry between these twin cities is still intense especially amongst the political leaders. But thank God the fans overiding love of Rugby League have kept the Cowboys off limits to the old inter-city rivalrys.
JF
Guest
Just some comments on Central Queensland from a CQ resident. Mackay will start construction on a 12000 capacity football stadium before the end of the year, this project has been a long time coming and just this week it was announced that further improvements including more seating have been made to the original plans. This project is much bigger and more advanced than anything that is happening on the Sunshine Coast. http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2009/11/28/revealed-changes-to-our-stadium-changes-to-stadium/ In both Mackay and Rockhampton RL is the no.1 sport with daylight 2nd, both towns run successful QCup teams - Central Comets and Mackay Cutters. What these towns lack in population - they make up for in passion for rugby league. These two towns are heavily supported by regional industry particularly coal mining in the Bowen Basin, the area is prosperous and growing. The problem is that Mackay and Rocky are two towns 300km apart, Mackay will have a stadium of 12000, but has no leagues club. Rocky has a strong leagues club, but only 8000 capacity ground, the problem with a potential NRL team together is to bring these two cities together which presents a plethora of political, and logistical problems.
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
Great to hear the West Australians putting their opinion in. If Perth got a team than our coverage would have to be national, lets hope this occurs for the betterment of the game and for our West Australian brothers.
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
Ipswich is the fastest growing city in QLD and QLD has the fastest growing population in Australia. So Ipswich should get some consideration- another thing to consider one day will be relegation than these teams would all be allowed to play in the top flight if they are good enough. But this is something for the far future, not right now.
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
Players would love to live in PNG, Neville Costigan loved it up there, also they would produce local talent who would love to live in there own country- that is the worst explanation ever. PNG will be recruiting some players from QLD for their Q-cup team so I don't think people will mind living in PNG and being treated like a rock star either.
oikee
Guest
Love the sound of 800 tribes, one head. I wonder who's head it might be, ? Gallop's. :) That brings a tear to your eye, and if we can help PNG make this bid reality, then it will help transport them into the 21st century. Now this is what i love about rugby league, once the seed is planted, their is no turning back, it is a great game.
Bondii Junction
Guest
Definitely need some pacific flavour and style of play in the NRL....Flamboyance now that'll definitely bring back the fans
Bankstown Boy
Guest
I agree I am a NSWelshman but living & playing league in Perth since 1988. I dont think a relocated team would help either the Perth team take off, or do mcuh for a relocated team transplanted from one side of the nation to the other (although if one team was to die at the same time a Perth team was introduced, perhaps free transfer of memebrships or some other marketing push could be tried?). Even as a die hard Bulldogs boy, I would get behind the Perth team with a fully paid membership and attending all home games, just to be able to see 1st class rugby league every other week, and to see the game survive and prosper across the country. I would also do my utmost to sell, coerce, persuade friends and family and anyone else to come be a part of it. My enhthusiasm for rugby league was really rekindled this year (and not just because of the doggies turnaround which was incidental but fortuate for the doggy suffering fans!!). I'd hope all the other mentioned possible rugby/league loving groups, minorities and expats felt some of the same enthusiasm as I did about a great year of league that has just passed us. Bring on 2010 a new NRL season, my doggies, and please please please (WARL, WA governrment & NRL) a Perth team sooner rather than later..
Bondii Junction
Guest
You cant compare what their players earn since they play in a semi-professional comp in PNG, at least u can give them gratitude 4 their heart n passion and @ the end of the day that is what matters the most. The $10 million is for the initial support grant with additional funding to be given if they get the go ahead..With the huge spin off from the PNG LNG gas project coming into play, i think PNG's purchasing power would increase dramatically and they'd have enough money to support their new franchise plus some left over to support all Perth based teams in all sports :) check out www.pngnrlbid.com
oikee
Guest
Agree JMo.
Bodii Junction
Guest
Bring on the flamboyance and entertainment of the Papua New GUineans we definitly need a new brand of fast flowing hard hitting rugby league, tired of watching the boring footy.
Jay
Guest
PNG will only bring in tv revenue if there is advertising there. PNG is not a first world country and even their world cup players saved their daily allowance as it was more money than they made in months back home. Unless the purchasing power of PNG increases, the additional tv revenue from having a PNG team will almost be nil. Also as for the PNG government support - they have pledged $10m to a stadium. Big deal, the Vic goverment pledged $110m for the rectangular stadium.. Have a PNG team in the Qld cup, but not the NRL. You're establishing a team in Perth than PNG.
oikee
Guest
Yes, PNG is a goldmine, and dont under-estamate NZ. They have the Government running the show over their now, i would expect some big changes to the way they run the game. All the old league dinosaurs are gone. Rugby league is a major part of NZ, any surgestions otherwise is nonsense. Yes the All-Blacks will always be their 1st team, but the kiwis are always in their hearts and minds, and winning a world cup helps. :)