While there is merit in the idea of the NRL rationalising Sydney teams and culling the competition to 16 teams, it will never make it through headquarters due to the self-interested Sydney clubs wanting to stay in their heartland.
The very same clubs who, despite having decades of history, are still not viable have been given endless time to get their act together financially yet continue to draw mediocre attendance.
For the clubs to rely on TV money and pokies rewards mediocrity, yet rugby league clubs, administration and fans are content on doing absolutely nothing about the game’s growth.
There are those who deem it perfectly acceptable to look after the ‘heartland’. You’d think the heartland clubs would be strong enough by now with the recent billion dollar deal, which can also keep the struggling clubs going for a while.
The insular and narrow-minded league fans who fail to see the big picture don’t understand access to new areas mean greater growth in participation, ratings and sponsorships. They think by relying only on Queensland/NSW everything will be ok but it’s not.
Furthermore, rugby league call itself ‘the greatest game of all’, yet the fans and administration show no confidence and belief in their game expansion-wise – only doubt and excuses.
For a code which talks the talk, it doesn’t walk the walk with the statements of supporters, players, and administration.
The NRL has only put barriers in front of itself by limiting itself to 16 teams, while the other codes pro-actively expand. It’s up to the ARLC whether it wants to move forward or be in a holding pattern – something rugby league has been in for far too long.
Hopefully by 2017, the NRL clubs will have their act together, given the excessive amount of time they’ll have had to do so.
The question is; will they be pro-active or complacent, as they were in the past?
The 16 clubs’ fates rest in their own hands, not the ARLC. They make the decisions that can turn a poor club into a powerhouse – it’s their move. The ARLC only provide grants to keep them above water; it’s the clubs’ actions which decide their viability.
NF
Roar Guru
Broncos fan complaining about other teams winning multiple premierships, seriously. Broncos won 6 for god that's pretty rich. http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/02/22/why-i-dont-want-melbourne-storm-to-win-in-2013/
NF
Roar Guru
KPM I see you obsessed with converting league coverts all the time, in one of your articles you mention raiding the NRL. How about Union focuses on developing it's talent pool, you're wondering why I'm commenting on one of my articles instead of directly is due to being restricted but at the same time it hasn't stop your fellow unionists from doing there cheap shots at league forum eg jus de cochon, clipper,etc.
NF
Roar Guru
'rugby league tragic (and rugby union hater) Chris Rattue' Spiro do league journalists out there say that Peter Fitzsimmons, yourself are 'rugby tragic (and rugby league hater) openly in the media I think not. Petty cheap code war shot there. http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/02/14/spiro-can-an-australian-side-win-super-rugby-2013/
NF
Roar Guru
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2013/02/14/375457_news.html NQ Cowboys are cleared from investigations if true than the club got drag down due to nothing. Interesting to see what occurs at the other 5.
NF
Roar Guru
Also, Brewski you're wondering why I only can comment in my own articles is because of moderation yet you roam free on league forums trolling and I can't even comment on fellow league articles any more.
NF
Roar Guru
Brewski I been reading your comments on Spiro's article and I think your trolling with your comments and if you really believe the stuff you write then you need a look in the mirror. You really think sponsors, fans, players, and administrations want the game of rugby league to be drag through the mud time and time again only the insane would think that be perfectly acceptable. Realistically, a clean-cut through it's public-image can garner greater sponsors, audience, etc than one that is tarnished. Do you think that whenever ever a scandal happens and league loses a sponsor that the head office is happy with that, there not you think there satisfied with potential money going down the drain then you're financially incompetent. As a fan, I don't revel in the scandal at all so does the majority of the league community you're generalizations is based in the 70's/80's. As far as I'm concerned you're not qualified to comment about the code in the first place with your obvious agenda against it and being a AFL fan with a clear bias againist it. I see the clipper is being the typical league hating lapdog agreeing to anyone who sings the same tune as him such as Brewski.
NF
Roar Guru
A general comment I was looking back at my previous articles and noticed 7/16 of the articles were deemed 'popular articles' which is a pretty good strike rate I think considering I write these articles on the spot and no rough drafts at all. Just unfiltered, raw thoughts that I need to express through writing. Out of curiosity, I'm wondering what the Roar mods think of my articles.
NF
Roar Guru
Clipper For perhaps the once and only time I will agree with you it's the NRL job to grow the game in Victoria not 9's job. If NRL were serious about growth they were shown more live games instead of delayed coverage but at the time of the tv deal the NRL needed the money for financial security for it's 16 club and whatever it planned for the future.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
NF, there was an article earlier is week listing the writers tor 10 match up for this season. 6 of them involed the roosters. But apart from that you stil have not said why you want t wipe out the history of the game. Also tell me what you think th cowboys bring to the game, when thurston moves on next year theyl be back to perennial wooden spoon contenders. By the way i actually like the Cowboys i just think you have NFI what your talking about.
Australian Rules
Guest
CC, that's fair enough but NZ, whilst "international", isn't exactly a major international market. New Zealand's GDP is smaller than the economies of NSW, Vic, Qld and WA.
oikee
Guest
There is more to lack of sponsers then just going out and finding one. The signs are not looking good down south for a start. Building downturn, government works drying up, Melbourne wanting to bring future works forward. No. Rugby league is wise not to expand at this time. AFL will be feeling the pinch soon anough, the NRL is ion the boxseat. The hoards will be moving North by the end of the year, Stack up on Brisbane Gearing, Stockland have already hit their targets in Brisbane, Ipwswich is the new Golden West, rugby league is sitting with a Banker running the show, he wont make any mistakes, and John Grant will be right with him, Cash my friend will be King. Something the NRL is stacking up as we speak. With-in 5 years, the NRL will be the premier comp in Australia and NZ. You heard it here first. Oh again, stack up on Brisbane gearing. The growth will be Queensland.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I am not disputing the fact about their sponsors AR. But St George also sponsor the Dragons and the Warriors with Vodaphone.The Cowboys still have Toyota.They are one team in one state. I note the previous position of the poster(who is hardly a rl man) despite marketing claims,and his weak "never will have international exposure" comment.When it already does with NZ. And the Storm is going over to the UK and playing a game(WCC) there as an NRL club against an ESL club.No International exposure ,yep apparently England is not another country. Is it any wonder at times mate,some of us rl fans get a little hot under the collar, when we get ru people come on with the usual snipes.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
We already have the u20 comp,and they fly NZ and Australia.We don't need a 2nd tier comp,and NF IMO is spot on. We need a national comp in all mainland states,with the u20 underpinning the clubs.State comps Qld and NSW left as is.The Qld cup has a decent profile.It is up to the ARLC to do somehting similar with the NSW comp. The u20 has a decent profile on pay TV in addtion to appearing before NRL games.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
That's not really a secret Ian. Although I believe Bulldogs,Roosters may have a little to say on the matter.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
The dirtiest secret of poker machines and the NRL is that very little pokies money ends up in the actual NRL clubs. Look carefully at the accounts of the Penrith Panthers football club and tell me where the money from Panthers-the-casino is in there ... basically, pokies revenue is just another mid-range sponsor for most clubs.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
NF, You might want to look at the NEAFL, and especially at the accounts of the NT Thunder. Basically, running a national competition is pretty cheap - once you've covered the expensive bit is paying the players, flying them around doesnt cost that much.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
NF Yes still being moderated for stating (as a long term rl fan) ,for what I believe in a rl thread and my experiences and what I see. I accept other codes' followers stating their views or their disagreemenst re rl,,but when it comes to me responding to blatant agenda driven trolling, I become the moderation target.The trolling is basically given rite of passage. .
NF
Roar Guru
CC I see Poker Machines as poison to any sporting code, in particular for rugby league it's very pub-like and shammy way to get money so credit for the NRL clubs to finally move to memberships and attendance push if only they did 20-30 years early. It's shocking how some concepts such as membership took so long to get to the NRL.
NF
Roar Guru
PS There enough Sydney teams already if one were to relocate it wouldn't be that bad in particular the Roosters. There not ever the most popular code in there area well behind rugby, AFL and football even so it's minor if they were to relocate.
Australian Rules
Guest
CC Interesting reference to the Super teams, all enormous sponsors...bar one: Waratahs - HSBC Rebels - RaboDirect Force - Emirates Reds - St George Bank Brumbies - University of Canberra...?