Reni Maitua during the NRL Round 10, Penrith Panthers v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks match at Penrith Stadium, Saturday, May 16, 2009. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renne McKay)
In 1981 the NSWRL competition had 12 teams. The dominant Sydney winter sport competition, it was founded in 1908 and over the years established itself as the centre of sport in the biggest state in Australia.
The 12 teams included:
South Sydney Rabbitohs. Est. 1908.
Eastern Suburb Roosters. Est. 1908.
Newtown Jets. Est. 1908.
Western Suburb Magpies. Est. 1908.
North Sydney Bears. Est. 1908.
Balmain Tigers. Est. 1908.
St. George Dragons. Est. 1921.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Est. 1935.
Parramatta Eels. Est. 1947.
Manly-Warringah Sea-Eagles. Est. 1947.
Cronulla Sharks. Est. 1967.
Penrith Panthers. Est. 1967.
Each of these twelve clubs had by this stage established histories and passionate supporter bases, which greatly differed in size and stature.
Newtown, Western Suburbs, Balmain, South Sydney and Cronulla were all in financial trouble. Requiring bail-outs and due to a lack of on-field success the clubs faced extinction in a competition looking to grow its national footprint.
The inclusion of the Canberra Raiders and the Illawarra Steelers in 1982, followed by the Newcastle Knights, the Brisbane Broncos and the Gold Coast Seagulls in 1988, further added pressure on these clubs as the competition grew to 16 teams.
The Newtown Jets only lasted a year during the expansion period and in 1983 where kicked out of the competition; a club who had the assets, but not the cash flow. The Magpies where kicked out as well but took the NSWRL to court and won re-inclusion into the competition before relocating from Ashfield to Campbelltown, but their on-field performances didn’t improve.
From 1983 the same 11 Sydney teams powered on. In 1993, when the Brisbane Broncos moved to ANZ Stadium and were averaging 43,000 per game, five of the 11 Sydney teams were averaging less than 10,000, with Wests as low as 7000.
The disparity between the clubs was huge. While the quality of football was high (many people believe the Winfield Cup was the best era in the competition’s history), there was no hiding the financial difficulties of many of these clubs.
In 1995, the competition expanded even further.
The Australian Rugby League took control of the game and added four new teams to the Winfield Cup. They crossed the ‘Barassi Line’ for the first time with the Western Reds in Perth. Crossed to New Zealand and started the Auckland Warriors. Brisbane got the second team that many believed they deserved the South Queensland Crushers, and Townsville became the home of the North Queensland Cowboys.
This boom expansion put even more pressure on Sydney clubs, whose crowds continued to drop below 10,000, as the expansion clubs helped deliver the ARL a season of record crowds.
Sydney clubs began looking for ways to ensure their survival.
The North Sydney Bears announced they would relocate to the Central Coast and were then ensured a place in the national competition. Canterbury-Bankstown and Balmain became the Sydney Bulldogs and Sydney Tigers respectively, as well as relocating to Parramatta Stadium. Easts became the Sydney City Roosters. Despite these changes, ARL CEO Ken Arthurston admitted that clubs like the Tigers were going to have difficulty to maintain their spot in the competition.
The ARL understood they couldn’t maintain a 20-team competition and announced they would be reducing the number of Sydney teams from 11 to five; Melbourne and Adelaide to be granted licenses in the future.
The position of many of these Sydney clubs was precarious. When Brian Smith left St. George in 1994 he mentioned that there was a smell of ‘Newtown’ at the club. A rich club, with a grand history but no cash flow and a Super League War to contend with; a war that threw tradition and history out the door, in the name of wealth and power.
It ripped the game apart and while most were worse off, some Sydney clubs looking for an immediate fix jumped onto the Super League bandwagon. Cronulla, Penrith and the Bulldogs took the millions from News Limited and joined the rebel competition. The other eight Sydney clubs remained ‘loyal’ to the ARL.
So when the axe fell and a peace agreement was signed, the struggling ARL Sydney clubs were wielded this axe and the Sydney Super League clubs stayed on. Wests and Balmain merged, St. George and Illawarra merged. Manly and North Sydney forced into an ‘uncomfortable’ merger, and South Sydney were kicked out of the competition.
Now I’m not here to start a debate about the Super League War, in fact I haven’t even reached the point of my article. While the Rabbitohs are back and hopefully the bears will be on the Central Coast, the same problems that plagued Sydney clubs in the 70s, 80s and 90s haven’t disappeared but rather appear stronger than ever.
Cronulla are in millions of dollars of debt, the Panthers have brought Phil Gould in with the wider perception being that he’s there ‘to rescue a club that is the sleeping giant of the NRL. 1967 is when Penrith entered the competition; it’s a hell of a long time to be asleep.
With the Independent Commission coming in – it’s going to happen, even though it’s taking longer than Mariah Carey takes to finish a high note – expansion is arguably the biggest talking point of the game, and many question will be asked of the smaller Sydney clubs.
Having only played in two finals series since 1989,the Rabbitohs are finally in a position financially to return to its glory days. Perhaps not a complete return, but the club can now hang on to the many promising players it kept losing during its horror run. With signings like Greg Inglis, a growing membership base and a talented incoming coach, the future looks bright for South Sydney.
If the Rabbitohs capitalise and begin to string finals series appearances and win premierships, how will this affect the Sydney Roosters? The so called ‘Glamour Club’ and ‘boys from Bondi’ have a cashed up CEO (who sits on the NRL board), but a very small junior and supporter base. While they do attract decent crowds, it’s usually against Sydney clubs like the Dragons and the Rabbitohs where the Rooster supporters are often out-numbered. With their very close neighbours South Sydney lifting, where does this leave the Roosters?
The Bears have the support of many Sydney-siders for re-inclusion. It must be a combination of the hatred many people feel for Manly and the bitter manner that the Bears were excluded from the competition. If they return, how will this affect Manly? Will it add to their supporter base or deter from it?
They don’t necessarily attract big crowds to Brookvale Oval (it isn’t the best stadium) and have struggled to turn a profit. They do have a winning culture and a well-known brand.
Where does their future lie?
Cronulla. Ah Cronulla. The poor sharks. No premierships, no members, no crowds, no money. While that may be a harsh assessment; I would hate to be a fan of the Sharks.
Has their clubs given them much to cheer about? Three grand finals in 44 years, two coming in the 70’s, and one against the rampant Broncos side of the late 90’s in the Super League grand final. As the Dragons break their drought and close in on Cronulla, from the North and South, where does the future of this club lie?
You would hate to see these clubs fold, their histories are far too established and their brands too well-known, but one of the biggest questions the independent commissioners will have to ask them self. Will the game be better off maintaining the existing nine Sydney clubs, or is re-location and amalgamation an option?
It’s a difficult decision, but a decision needs to be made.
Will they stick by these clubs and give them every chance of survival, or look to grow the game in other areas? Whatever they decide, I pray they do what’s in the best interest of the game. A game that deserves a lot better than the way history has treated it.
Magpie Militia
Guest
This article sums up that sport these days is a commercial run pursuit. Gone forever are the good old days of rugby league. As a magpie fan I was lost to the game in 1999, never interested in going back unless Western Suburbs Magpies are de-merged to form a sole entity. It just highlights how badly run the game is when they had broke clubs in Sydney and possibly even knew about that and then tried to go into expansion markets where AFL is the premium sport lacked of bad business, marketing and planning. Bring back Wests, Balmain and Norths. Even though these teams play in the NSWRL Cup, it will never be the prime sport of Australia. Once you start merging and relocating all you have are faceless franchises. I'll stick to the traditonal black and whites - Collingwood ans the the game that retains it's tradition,supports it's history and is well run the AFL!
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
"also to show the value of this the Bears will play Manly at the grand old lady North sydney oval each year in the heritage round, why? because they can; and as a business move will bring in 23000 fans" While that's great, it hardly compares to the Cowboys vs Broncos rivalry. At least 45,000 to 50,000 turn up to Suncorp each year to watch the two teams. Another 24,000 or so turn up to see them at Dairy Farmers. I'd say this rivalry beats the Bears vs Sea Eagles any day of the week. "The NSW Cup will continue to grow" Maybe it will, but it's still a long way behind the Q-Cup.
Col the Bear
Guest
Just a dash and run, busy doing Bears stuff.. :-) .. With the introduction of the CCBears.. you'll also get 2 very fierce extra rivalries.. 1 between Newcastle and 1 between Manly.. the Bears and the NRL are in a very unique situation here..two more very fierce local derbys..also to show the value of this the Bears will play Manly at the grand old lady North sydney oval each year in the heritage round, why? because they can; and as a business move will bring in 23000 fans top that game each year as a major event..similar to what Tigers do now at leichhardt and Dragons at Kogarah. since the expulsion of the Bears there has only ever been 2 nrl games played at NSO..Souths played Manly, and then they played Warriors following year, believe this was 04-05..I never went to either game.. I refused to go to NSO and watch 2 teams play and one wasnt the Red and Black Bears.. The Bears have played at NSO since 1910. However, our future lies now on the Central Coast, and believe the majority of people do except this now.. and with almost 7000 financial members, obviously so do many others..(and all our memberships have been paid for including 85 foundation memberships at 5.500 dollars each, only 100 available) To the Dragons Guy, you say you except the merger.. Fine then let illawarra play as the Steelers next year in the NSWCup, like they wanted to this year, after your feeder club Shellharbour dragons pulled out and left everyone in the Lurch.. The NSW Cup will continue to grow, the talent is superior each year..Canberra are coming back to the fold, and Tweed heads seagulls have also looked at coming into the NSW cup..This is the Real Reserve Grade, and not a u 20s picnic...the U 20s will prove detriment to the game if something isn't done soon to overhaul it keep up the good work Brett and Beowulf also.. time is getting close for those CC Bears.. and we can't wait..hopefully over a decade of hard work is about to come to fruition.. cheers
turbodewd
Guest
Mals, youre talking down the NRL product by saying it wont work outside of eastern Oz. NRL simply needs better promotion and marketing. If an NRL team embraces a new city and its marketed properly then there's no reason for it not to succeed.
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
"Second in must be one of the QLD teams. Third and forth to be other QLD team and maybe the bears but I think a few Sydney teams must die for this to happen." I agree mate. Couldn't have said it better.
Mals
Guest
Hilarious discussion on here. According to some of you Manly should be going to Sunshine Coast or Wellington or Adelaide or cut. Manly won't be going anywhere else soon folks! Dots on maps expansion WILL NOT work for rugby league. It is an Eastern seaboard game, any expansion outside of heartland areas should be done with very careful planning & with a gradual phase in like the AFL have down with the Gold Coast Suns.
Johnno
Guest
We are along way behind the ENG cricket set up. The academy they are building a tlords is out of this world. All types of cricket pitches , awesome biomechnical sports science facilities, really technological and scientific BUCK would love it.
yewonk
Guest
jamesb if you only knew the amount of articles i have written about ca over the last two years. ca are immoral.
jamesb
Guest
yewonk i think cricket australia are desperately putting their hand up as far as woeful administration is concerned.
yewonk
Guest
the adminisrtion is woeful always has been. never has a sport had such negativity around it.
sheek
Guest
Willy/Oikee, We can be so brave with this "survival of the fittest" stuff from the safety & comfort of our living rooms, or study..........
sheek
Guest
Oikee, You hear this theme constantly - survival of the fittest. We should have the Batavia disaster of 1629 repeated ad nauseum. Human beings are supposed to be the most elevated of all living things. We were given something extra besides instinct. We were given intellect & the ability to choose. Regrettably, too often, we lower ourselves lower than than the animal kingdom. Boy, your view of how to run sport is frightening. Interesting to note,that the 'big 4' professional sports in the USA/Canada disagree with you. They believe that keeping ALL the franchises afloat eventually helps everyone, because it protects the overall brand. If a franchise is struggling, they are sold to interests in another city, but the brand name survives, maintaining the link of shared history & tradition.
Epiquin
Guest
Exactly. Rugby league in Australia is a victim of it's own history.
Epiquin
Guest
Absolutely agree. Too many people think of clubs as dots on maps with fans who don't give a s--t. When we cull teams, we lose more than dot on the map.
Epiquin
Guest
So looking forward to seeing the Grahame Park Grizzlies renew their rivalry with Manly. That'll get bums in seats and eyes glued to tv sets for sure!
buster
Guest
We don't publish comments from names like your original. Roar Mods.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Yeha 5,000 attended a couple of weeks ago.A great look on telly.Heartland rl club Penrith with huge junior base,playing one of the most famous Rl clubs the Rabbitohs. Geez even the City of churches drew more than that when the Sharks played there against the Cowboys
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Ksi I fully understand there are anti Broncos people in Brisbane(I met a couple of former Crusher supporters), partially due to them jumping into Rupert's giant Size SL bed, and partly because there are many Sydney club supporters living in that city and surrounds. I actually want a 2nd brisbane side in the comp.That will help the Tv contracts , no argument from me on that one.It is a matter of the right time. And the Sharks have had for example a monday night game against st George with 12,000 people.Tell me about Friday and monday nights. Now if the game had been played on a sunday afternoon 19-20,000 would no doubt have attended .All clubs complain about the scheduling.The code, should be dictating to the Tv networks, not vice versa. My argument is based on the following : 1) Gallop has stated ,the code would be looking (if they expanded),to a new area and a heartland area. 2) Perth for starters has received overwhelmingly support for expansion by the 16CEOs.Time zone is a big plus, plus the national theme, plus an area that can be developed. 3) CC is far ahead in its expansion plans. 4) B2 ATM seems to be plodding along,and started very late.Sure they will get suppport, but it really is an unknown, and would look silly if it cracked 15,000 in a stadium that size. 5) regardless of the scheduling 30,000 in a heartland city of 2m , does not stack up well against say the Sharks with nearly 13,000 in a population of 250,000. Ideally and unfortunately it wont happen , but I would like to see Perth,CC,B2 and QLD included, over the next few years. Should my club as a result of being incapable of continuing at Toyota Park(which I doubt), then I am sure the I.C would step in with a relocation move.But let me just say to assume that relocation and continuance of the club brand, will mean the current fans will reamin rock solid , is a myth.I know more than a few who left the game, just because of mergers.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I'd say 10,000 at home at least ,seeing they average close to 13,000.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
How long have the Broncos had to build interest FHS Oikee.They should be averaging 40,000 in a 1 team 2 m city,heartland to boot. I actually agree you should build up your crowds over the years of existence.Since they went to suncorp ,that has not been the case. Champ I also want 2 Brisbane sides ,but they have to show me,if there are two,they can fill the stadium each week, or at least average 40,000 in the case of the Broncs and 30,000 in the case of the Brisbane Begorrahs.