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We’re on the eve of October, which of course in rugby league terms means that we’re on the verge of the grand final. It also means that we’re just over one month away from the formation of the Independent Commission.
These are very exciting times for the game and after an almost clean season off field, a record season crowd attendance and a local Sydney-derby grand final (let’s not forget Illawarra/Wollongong). The NRL should be proud and acknowledge a successful season on and off the field, thus far.
Once up and running the IC will have a heap of work to go through like the standard of refereeing, minor rule changes, player salary increases, NSW Cup overhaul and expansion.
Of course, this will all be examined after the most important tasks, the new TV right’s deal and anti-siphoning laws are set. With the NRL’s dominance in the TV market coinciding with an all-time high interest in rugby league, it’s safe to assume that the NRL will do everything to ensure the continuous growth of the game.
Expansion is a highly heated and debated topic. It’s not that the public think we shouldn’t expand. Public demand for expansion has never been greater than what it is currently but rather in which places will the NRL set up franchises and how many will they bring in.
As a Norths supporter, I admit that I am biased for the Central Coast Bears NRL bid. However that is simply due to the hard work and dedication that the bid team have.
The ground swell of community support, the vast numbers of sponsors both local and major, financial members which currently hovers at around 3000, the sustainability and equity and the approval of some of the most respected people in rugby league.
But one cannot disregard the equal hard work and emphasis from the other expansion candidates. Western Australia from the outside would seem to be almost guaranteed a license due to the lack of an NRL presence and the time factor.
A game played locally at 7:30pm would be shown live at 9:30pm on the east coast. Perfect for Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons but not so good for Monday nights.
The advantages still heavily outweigh the negatives. An announcement that the WA Government have taken control of NiB stadium is a further boost and really put the WA Reds bid in a prime position.
In Queensland, the battle for a license lies between the Central Qld NRL bid and the Ipswich Jets NRL bid. For Central Queensland, the lucrative wealth of Geoff Murphy and the major sponsor announcement of QR National, really solidifies the Central QLD NRL bid as a contender.
However, a lack of suitable stadia and infrastructure combined with a slim dispersed population would be reasons for concern.
Maybe 2013 is slightly too early for the Central QLD bid but if they fail to gain a license, then the NRL should do everything in its power to assure the founding of a team there before next decade.
The Ipswich Jets NRL bid has some merit but considering the infant stages of the bid and the lack of any real progression since the announcement for their intentions to gain an NRL license, one would have to imagine that unless a miracle happens then this bid is at the moment a mere dream.
With proposed games at Suncorp Stadium and giving Brisbane an NRL game each week in the process, there are benefits in having a team in Ipswich. But due to their, aforementioned, lack of progression and the fact the other bids are far more advanced, Ipswich would benefit in having more time and aiming for 2017/2020 would give them a better chance.
Other bids from PNG and Wellington are also worth looking into.
People have suggested in culling the weakest Sydney team in the NRL to bring in three new expansion franchises and also rationalize Sydney. Obviously by all reports that would be the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
However, losing a brand isn’t the way to go and the NRL has the obligation to at least preserve its competition to ensure we never repeat the sins of post-Super League/ARL war and segregate fans by eliminating their teams, their colours and their heroes.
The Sharks are in prime position to perhaps try a North Melbourne/Hawthorn-AFL-esque part relocation to say Adelaide or Wellington/Southern NZ and really expand their brand to harness new supporters, sponsors and of course much needed revenue. However, should the Sharks remain exclusively at Cronulla, then all the best of luck to them.
This weekend’s game will be great, St. George-Illawarra vs. Sydney Roosters. Out ever the outcome rugby league has been the winner.
Bring on the final! Bring on the IC! Bring on expansion!
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