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While there are lower divisions in several areas, such as the bush groups, New South Wales Cup, Queensland Cup or Jim Beam Cup, none of these competitions truly gather together the best player depth possible outside the NRL.
Some of their clubs are able to maintain their viability either through die-hard fans from first division (Newtown, North Sydney) or the old BRL fans.
But including all or a majority of these teams in a second division would be a mistake, diluting quality in an effort to please everyone, many of whom have local NRL teams.
Emphasis should be placed on rural areas, to give a kick start to bush footy.
In many areas, providing a semi-elite competition would not only give something tangible to support, but provide pathways for players who are not at a higher standard of playing until they are of an older age.
The New South Wales Cup could not provide any significant number of teams, both due to the amount of NRL teams based in Sydney and the higher level of play required when facing Queensland Cup teams.
With the NRL announcing the end of City versus Country Origin (a debate for another page) and replacing it with a Bush Round, playing games as curtain raisers for this round could provide some level of exposure for fans from the town who attend these games.
First of all, you would need to conference the competition. There is no way you could hold a flat tournament without losing large amounts of money and ostracising fans who cannot travel the huge distances.
If a second division were possible, I would consider the following areas for inclusion in the following manner.
NSW Conference
NSW Southern Division
Newtown
Nowra
Bathurst or Orange (or a merged team)
NSW Northern Division
Coffs Harbour
Tamworth
Dubbo
Central Coast
Queensland Conference
Queensland Southern Division
Ipswich
Sunshine Coast
Towoomba
Logan
Queensland Northern Division
Cairns
Mackay
Bundaberg or Rockhampton
There would most likely be a need to allow more Queensland teams, dependent on the level of support. Conferences would play for the New South Wales or Queensland Cup, and then the winners would play each other.
Cross-conference matches would happen during the regular season, but mainly teams would operate inside their conferences, and face division opponents more often.
With two possible omissions, this would allow pathways for outside teams to enter the competition, who have an eye on entering the NRL.
Of course, there are teams included within the list which are seeking inclusion, however I have based the list on my assumption that a second Brisbane team is the most likely inclusion (arguments on this aside).
In order for this to work I would suggest the following.
Number one and most important is that all travel costs are subsidised, especially for the New South Wales and Northern Queensland Divisions.
Funding travel is difficult, especially with the hardships experienced due to income levels in rural areas. If possible, semi-professionalism would be optimum.
Number two, that the competition should be kept away from broadcasters until it is a viable proposition to broadcast on its own merits, most likely via a match of the round.
With an NBN roll-out going into rural areas before metropolitan areas, it is entirely feasible (given the amount of time that it would take to set up such a competition) that a system could be set up to broadcast these games via the net, as per US-based professional sports.
If it was me (and without the benefit of serious professional research) I would make it free for people who are signed on members of a club in the competition, and a minimal cost for people who wish to watch the game live.
Free with larger advertising breaks after a set number of days to anyone who has not paid, which would be good for people with nothing to do during the week.
If you allow people to watch these games at their leisure, you can only assume that people would tune in later in the week with nothing better to do.
Number three would be to separate all of these clubs from NRL teams. NRL players under a set age could be loaned out for a season at the expense of the club which holds their contract, and the player would not be included in any salary cap (not allowed to be recalled under normal circumstances).
This would allow NRL clubs to retain juniors on lengthy contracts in situations where they are having to cut older yet worthy players from their books due to the fear of losing up-and-coming talent.
Transfer fees might be a good idea for players coming off contract or within a set time, or player swaps to stop blatant poaching from NRL clubs.
I believe this system could not only provide pathways for players (especially young forwards and halves who rarely mature until their early to mid twenties) but coaching staff, referees and rural fans.
I am under no illusion about this not operating on a loss for any foreseeable future, but believe it would be of great benefit to the game as a whole, and would basically be paid for by the Independent Commission.
A salary cap would be good, but given the limited payments available, it is unlikely players would move too far chasing payment.
Perhaps it is feasible, perhaps not, but I believe it is definitely worth looking at.
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