The Roar exclusive: When Newcastle and St George Illawarra run out at Hunter Stadium tonight, they will open the curtain on perhaps the most significant season in the game’s history.
A capacity crowd of 30,000 fans will be there in a fantastic modern stadium to witness two clubs that between them represent so much about where the game has come from and where it’s going.
Each club is a powerful symbol in its community. Each team has its own unique character.
Between them they feature a multi-million-dollar private owner, a first-year coach and one with an incredible history in the game. There are club legends returning home, established stars and exciting bands of rookie talent.
Across all 16 teams right now, and among the members and fans that follow them, there is a nervous anticipation about what is to come.
When I contacted the sixteen coaches to wish them luck in the lead up to tonight’s game, the common theme among those I spoke to was how close the competition would be and what a ride it would be to the finals.
Fans and players alike will all go to matches believing that their team can and will win each week.
They will all marvel at the sheer brilliance of our players and know that each game they are going to see something breathtaking on the field.
And they all share the one dream of wanting to win the Telstra Premiership Grand Final.
Yet, for all they have in common, the richness of the Telstra Premiership comes from the sheer diversity of where those dreams come from.
From the heartlands of Sydney, all across Queensland, to New Zealand, Melbourne and regional and rural Australia, rugby league is a game that crosses social, cultural and economic divides and brings people together.
It is a game where the colours that members and fans wear in support of our teams are as vibrant and varied as the people who wear them – yet all who wear them are united by their love of rugby league.
There has been a lot of talk in recent months about the game and other codes and what the ARL Commission will bring.
Let me be clear: we are in a competitive market and we are always mindful of our competitors.
But one of the first things you need to do in such an environment is to fully understand your own strengths and continue to build on them.
We need to look at what we can improve going forward but we need to understand the strength of the platform we are working from and be confident of where that places us.
As we look across 95 matches in Sydney this year, 192 matches across the competition, and the countless spectacular individual moments those games will provide we have a stunning reminder of why so many families and children are being inspired to join our great game and to continue supporting it.
The simple facts are that more people are playing the game than ever before, more people are watching the game than ever before, and the game they are watching is more exciting than ever before.
Does that mean we can sit back and relax? Of course not.
We need to ensure we continue growing the game and we need to ensure we are able to maintain our strategic direction across all facets of the game.
That is why the ARL Commission is such a significant step in this season and I welcome Chairman John Grant and his fellow Commissioners. I look forward to the many opportunities we have ahead to continue building our game.
The Commission isn’t here to change the world overnight.
But change will inevitably flow from it and it will be in the form of a more co-ordinated game-wide decision-making process and already we are seeing the Commission is willing to make decisions and already they are working on building future revenue streams, particularly through our broadcasting rights.
I remain confident rugby league will achieve a substantial lift in its television revenues and that it will have benefits for players, clubs and the wider game.
Those benefits, however, will need to be measured to deliver the best result going forward.
There is a lot of opportunity ahead for rugby league and there is an enormous amount to look forward to right now this season, starting tonight.
That is why everyone who loves rugby league should go out and become a member of their team.
It is why you should talk loudly and proudly about the game you love and the moments that capture your imagination. It is why when we look at the tens of thousands of children who play the game that we are reminded that rugby league is game about local kids becoming local and national heroes.
It is why I look forward to seeing you at a game this year.
In this series, John O’Neill (Australian Rugby Union), James Sutherland (Cricket Australia), David Gallop (NRL), Andrew Demetriou (AFL), and Ben Buckley (FFA) all share with The Roar their thoughts on the year that was, or will be, for their respective codes. Read the full series.
KiwiBear
Guest
The Nrl does need the bears in the competition. Why because they have been around since 1908 and know how to run a successful club and one that can stick around through good and bad and lets face it getting thrown out of a competition that you helped establish does not get much much worse when defining "bad". And the fact that after 14 years in the wilderness they are in a strong position to return scares alot of people. I hope Queensland does get more teams in the nrl but not at The Bears exclusion! History tell us that queenslanders are talkers but not doers They let two former Gold coast clubs fold and dont seem to be doing well with the 3rd incarnation, and whatever happened to the crushers? the Bears are not Dead just battling to return from a forced hibernation!
KiwiBear
Guest
The statement you make is quite contradictory, The bears were a popular team their merchandise sales were amoung the highest in New Zealand and im Sure over here. Why else would their jersey be still available for sale?The crowds of 8 to 10 thousand sounds pretty good considering the size and capacity of North Sydney Oval when compared to games at the SFS in those days were empty! And those numbers take into Account the fierce competition for players and spectators with Union. Being in a competitive environment is not a reason to dump a team otherwise the Queesland Reds wouldve been dumped when they struggled against competion from the Lions and the Broncos! No the numbers were not earth shattering but given the new stadium that they invested in those numbers will be at capacity ! The Central coast bears have close to 8000 paid up financial members in a team that doesnt have a competion to play in yet! That s just the tip of the iceberg. THE BEARS made the move to engage the North Sydney area and the Central coast, to suggest that it sould be one location one team is ridiculous! (St George -Illawarra, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cronulla -Sutherland ring any bells) Even your favoured Ipswich- Logan Team would be ruled out on those lines of logic!
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
I agree, but I think this can only happen if Manly or the Roosters are given the boot. One of them should be kicked out. Both teams are stunting the game's growth.
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
The Bears were never a popular team. Their average attendance ranged from 8,000 to about 12,000. Hardly Earth shattering numbers. Rugby league has never been the most popular sport in the northern suburbs of Sydney. The Bears deserved to be axed from the competition for all of these reasons. The Central Coast Bears' bid has 8,000 members, but they're are just old diehard North Sydney fans. If Central Coast gets a team it should get one that represents no one but the Central Coast. Ipswich-Logan (South Queensland?) and Perth should be added to the competition in 2015. After that it should be Wellington/Christchurch and Brisbane 2.
KiwiBear
Guest
I hope you will all forgive me for weighing in on this debate seen as i am ONLY a kiwi but here goes. Mr Gallops column was an interesting read and very thought provoking. His own words if he listens to them would tend to add weight to the CC Bears admission to the NRL. In his article he says that both teams in last weeks opening game represent where the game has come from and where it is going. What team in contention for expansion is such a fit; the North Sydney part of the venture represents the past of this great game that we love. The central coast part of the venture represents the future. I can only see that part of NSW growing and growing the number of junior players for the game. Mr Gallop also said that each team is a powerful symbol for the community! Does he want soccer to represent the Central Coast only or worse give the AFL a stronger foothold in this games Heartland? No other existing NRL team should be Relocated to the central coast for the simple fact that the bears laid the foundations for a team there over a Decade ago and thus far the only reward for its fore sight was to be removed from the comp. The time is now to reinforce league in its heartland with a Team on the central coast and another maybe in Queensland. Where in Qld exactly im not knowledgable enough to say but one thing for sure is the heartland of league is NSW and Qld strengthen those first before taking on AFL in Adelaide or Perth.!
Central Coast NRL Team
Guest
The NRL doesn't need the Bears back in the comp. The NRL needs a new team on the Central Coast, one that will have support by the whole community. The Bears are dead, so let's give the Central Coast a new team with a new identity and a new place in the hearts of Central Coast residents! It's the only way a Central Coast team will survive.
matthew
Guest
New Zealand? You mean Auckland right ?
gleeso
Guest
I think charge downs are a great part of the game and the rules should be tweaked such that if a kick is charged down there is no restart to the tackle count for the kicking team if they regather. Also, start calling forward passes that are thrown from dummy half.
NF
Guest
Johnno is goneski (banned) his classic ramblings will be missed on this site for the sheer comedy he brought to us all.
Tommygun
Guest
"What incentive would a 10-year-old from North Sydney have to support a team that’s based in Gosford?" Children born in North Sydney aren't league kids anymore. They are all private school union chaps now!!
Tommygun
Guest
Johnno.... Insightful? No. Delusional? Completely!
Tommygun
Guest
It's so simple! Two new teams to be introduced in the near future... Another qld side and the central coast. Perth should get the relocated sharks. Two new sides, one simply relocated.
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
"the main reason the CC will be admitted is this." If the NRL had any intention of admitting the Bears into the competition then they would have done it by now. The NRL did not show much interest in expansion when the Bears consortium's bid was the only one on the table. The NRL has changed its tune towards expansion since areas like Perth, Brisbane, Ipswich, PNG, Central Queensland, Wellington and Logan announced they want a team. I recall.Gallap speaking about the need for a team in the Ipswich-Logan area a few years ago. I take that to mean an Ipswich-Logan will be running around in the NRL while the Bears are still playing in the NSW Cup. I'm starting to think the NRL is ignoring Gosford-Wyong because far too many people associated with the Bears' bid have said the area will only support a team that's linked with North Sydney Bears. Comments like that make it seem as if rugby league is not a major sport in Gosford-Wyong. A heartland area would embrace any team, not just the Bears.
Boomshanka
Guest
Jeff That's because Foxtel have the rights to today's match. In fact Fox treat the game with the respect it deserves (from a viewers point - not when it comes to paying for their top content). They show what they hold the rights to live and provide choice if two matches overlap. It's Nine who treat the game with contempt. They hoard the games they hold by not on-sellling live or near live rights and bastardising coverage by showing a highlights package (aka NRL Footy show) before showing victorian's the first game. They deserve to be boned! Good article today from Bellamy. Enjoy. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/if-the-world-can-watch-live-why-cant-victoria/story-e6frg7t6-1226287761211
Jeff McGinn
Guest
Has anyone noticed the time slot that Channel Nine has allocated to today's Storm game in Victoria?. it's not even before 5-30 PM tomorrow!. same old NOTHING from this mob. Thanks guys I am glad I have a mate who can afford Foxtel.
Todd Nelson
Guest
On March 18 my club the Ourimbah-Wyoming Magpies JRLFC are playing our yearly trial against the Berowra Wallabies RLFC. This season Berowra are unable to field sides in the U14's and U15'(last seasons U14 North Sydney Premiers). What a difference 6 months makes from Premiership winners to non existance, where have these players gone ?....yes Rugby Union. Next weekend we play another trial against another North Sydney club the Asquith Magpies who played fellow Central Coast club the Toukley Hawks last weekend. Yes NRL continue to worry about Western Sydney who have 4 NRL sides (Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers, Wests Tigers and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and ignore the Central Coast and Sydneys North Shore who have "NONE" at the games expense.
Todd Nelson
Guest
Rugby League on the North Shore is struggling, my junior club the Ourimbah-Wyoming Magpies is playing the Berowra Wallabies on March 18 in our yearly trial. This year Berowra are unable to field sides in the U14's and U15's (last seasons North Sydney Premiers). Apparently 2011's U14's Premiers folded and most of them have gone to play Rugby Union, what a difference 6 months can make, from Premiership winners to non existance. Next weekend we are playing another North Sydney club side in the Asquith Magpies who played fellow Central Coast club the Toukley Hawks last weekend.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
peeeko .What's your point? Regardless of whether the population is 10,000 20,000, 50 or 100,000,for rugby league as far as growth is concerned according to PRL official Kerry Draper "We are told we are the fastest growing Rugby league region in Australia"..That can happen in low bases or higher population bases. Other areas are growing at a smaller pace,it happens. You suspect ? I will further quote M/s Draper " ït's all AFL up here". She said extensive work amongst the indigenous community had resulted in four junior teams starting to play. So much for your temporay analogy. Then she goes on to cite, Pilbara products are establishing themselves in the eastern states with Timothy Tupou playing for Redcliffe last year and Xavier Leaf for the NZ Maoris. At the junior level there is also a ladies competition for those aged 13-18 years. Committment is a necessity to playing the game in the Pilbara,with players often travelling 2 1/2 hours between the centres of Karratha(3 teams),Port Headland(two) and wickham(one) usually playing in hot and dusty conditions. That does not include junior teams. Source'Rugby league review March 2012. Bear in mind growth achieved without a NRL team in that state. Disagree should Perth get a team,they will probably play on a sunday afternoon beamed back to the eastern states on a sunday night. An extra slot ,an extra time zone does add to the Tv contract as the Warriors and Melbourne have shown.Strange both Gallop and Grant believes so. I agree with your last line ,wholeheartedly.
peeeko
Roar Guru
interesting stats, the pilbara population has a population of 48,000 so it is easy to claim it as the fastest growing region. i suspect that tis mainly temporary workers from NSW and QLD the perth time slot would be 9:30 on a saturday night and really i dont think it will add a lot to the tv contract i hope channel none starts broadcasting live to the "other" states
Jackson
Guest
Please, we haven't got many Rugby union heartlands in Australia Please don't come back to the north shore Bears!!!