While I have conceded in part one that a rugby league team in Western Australia could work, there is no way it should be the next cab off the rank.
The NRL typically sees the AFL as traditional enemies, but it would be foolish for them to not take notes in regards to how the AFL handled expansion.
Before project teams such as the Gold Cost Suns and GWS Giants were even considered, the AFL had made sure it had rewarded all traditional markets with at least two teams.
While there is an abundance of teams in New South Wales, and three in Queensland, it is no secret that a second Brisbane team, a project that should’ve been explored over a decade ago, has been painfully ignored.
The obvious location for a 17th team in the NRL is Brisbane (including surrounding areas), as I have previously outlined.
Consolidation right now could be just as important to the NRL as expansion, and ignoring one of rugby league’s cherished heartlands, especially in the face of the rising popularity of the Suns, could draw people away from rugby league.
Another NRL team is Brisbane would fix this potential lack of interest and popularity. I’m in no way saying the Suns will overtake the Broncos as the team of the town, but it is rather embarrassing and confusing that the AFL has the same amount of teams as the NRL within 60 minutes of the Brisbane CBD.
If not Brisbane II, New Zealand should also be an exciting thought for the NRL.
New Zealand is no doubt a traditional rugby country, but it is one owned by the All Blacks and its Super Rugby franchises.
In short, another team in NZ, perhaps in the capital of Wellington, would both raise rugby league interest in the country and, as a subsidiary, raise levels of participation currently dominated by union.
Within a few years the NRL will again be considering a 17th team (we believe it’s 2017). When that time comes around, there is no doubt Dave Smith will have Perth in his mind as a potential destination.
While this no doubt has some merit to it as a long-term project, there are much stronger cases for a second Brisbane or New Zealand team.
Please NRL, don’t ignore your traditional heartlands in favour of a potential failure.
Joe Blow
Guest
The NZ II team could represent all of New Zealand south of Auckland and play regular games in Christchurch and perhaps Dunedin as well as Wellington. Brisbane II and NZ II are much better options than Perth where nobody will care.
Perth Red
Guest
We have the crowds, the companies, the stadium, the jnrs (developing) and the will. All we need is the West Coast Pirates to be admitted! The game has had one hundred years plus to "sort out" the heartlands, lets see it grow and flourish in new areas. Last 2 crowds have been 20k+, NRL would be stupid to miss out on the momentum the game currently has in WA
jase
Guest
Perth is well over 1.9m, to hit 2m in the next few years.
Maroon Blood
Guest
Myles, can I give you a couple of facts you may not know about League over here in the Wonderful West. WA has won the Affliated States Championsip (WA, Vic, SA and NT) four years in a row. Yes, WA is a better League state than Vic even without an NRL side based in our State. WA is the first Affiliated State to pass 3000 registered players. Yes, that's 3 THOUSAND players. The recent Bunnies v Warriors game over here drew a bigger crow than last nights Bunnies v Storm game. I know it is a one-off game but every game the NRL has sent over here has drawn either sell outs or pretty damn close too it. It is not our fault we only get one game a year. The expat East Coast, Pommie and Kiwi population here is huge due to the mining boom so there is plenty of support. You are never going to convert AFL followers to League, just as the same as vice versa (yes, I am talking to YOU GWS!) but there are plenty of League faithful here already and, who knows, with a successful Pirates team we may get some of the Charddie sipping Force fans come over, they must be sick of losing by now! WA is in a far better position to have a team than in the Reds days, please let it not fall by the wayside just because the NRL and some pundits lack the vision, foresight and kahunas to give us a red hot go. Go the Pirates.......no, I am NOT going to add an Hraaarrgh me hearties.....whoops, I just did!
KiwiBear
Guest
In your last sentence, "Please NRL, don’t ignore your traditional heartlands in favour of a potential failure" Given that is your plea then I second it. However I am convinced that Central Coast is a Sure bet and should be allowed in. They have been consistently overlooked yet equally have consistently had the best proposal the best stadium and a business plan. They have a coach set to go and a tireless CEO in Greg Florimo. I tell you if The Parramatta were as well run they would not be a complete basket case that they are. The Bears as I've said were kicked out for being "insolvent" but only cause the showed the foresight in going with a re-location plan. That was a dubious call. The NRL a making more dubious calls in deferring expansion and are letting under performing clubs survive. I am all for expansion and can see a second club in Brisbane working and Perth could work but Central Coast will work. We Have over 7500 members now, how many could have if we get the opportunity to field a team in the Big show?
Will
Guest
Wonder what Katie Page thinks of Harvey Norman becoming the naming sponsor of the A League free to air games? Must be helpful for the NRL I also think Holden being a major sponsor of Collingwood with 80,000 members Australia wide might be worth a little more then the NRL deal and provide a little more exposure considering the NRL can't even fill a stadium for a finals match
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Marco, Nope. The AFL has realised that the 'home away from home' model works much better, with less stress all around. In an NRL context, you'd take some marginally viable team and get them to play 4-6 home games a year in a regional center - for example, the Cronulla Sharks stay at Shark Park, but contract play 4 games a year in Perth for four years. This gets a bunch of people to whinge about really wanting a Tasmanian team, but they show up to see footy where they live.
Matt_S
Guest
you'll find for Katie Page to join the NRL commission Harvey Norman can't be a principal sponsor. Holden are only new and replaced Harvey Norman paying nearly twice the money so somehow I think the NRL would be happy. please stick to the facts not fantasy.
Marco
Guest
The AFL would love to relocate a few more teams out of Melbourne. Would not be surprised if NSW got a third team one day. Other states may also get a third team. The NRL is no where near a national competition at the moment.
Australian Rules
Guest
"Perth is a must, we can't ignore such a strong market any longer". Just 2 days ago oikee described Perth as "backward", dismissed its sporting crowds (cough) and its use of "round white elephants" (cough)...and ridiculed it for not having "international appeal"... as opposed to Brisbane. Does this guy ever bring his verandah rocking chair to a halt and suddenly forget where he is?
Will
Guest
Sorry to say but NRMA is only found in on the east coast and we only need to look at Holden, Harvey Norman or Pirtek to find National brands leaving the game.
Phelpsy
Guest
I live on the Gold Coast and can say there is a strong market and lots of interest .... Surprise surprise , a lot of people follow both codes. Suns are very visable, often lead the local sports news, have a dedicated fm station broadcast their games, are in the local paper all the time , and I have noticed that the afl finals leading the radio sports news last week. Also a very strong junior league very large numbers.
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
As well as in Brisbane, as I have previously pointed out (http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/09/05/brisbane-ii-should-be-the-nrls-next-project/)
SVB
Guest
I don't think that means anything. Ice Hockey is represented in 5 capital cities in Australia. The NBL is represented pretty much all over the country as well. What is worrying is if the NRL continues to lose more and more market share in Sydney.
oikee
Guest
Alright, maybe i went a bit overboard. To be honest, and i dont know how the game is going to juggle this, we need 3 new teams. Perth a must, we cant ignore such a strong market any longer, Brisbane, a no no brainer, if they dont get another team into Brisbane ASAP, then i will give up. And NZ need another team. The talent in NZ is still untapped. And the Warriors have and are complacent, they need competition. At least the Tigers have now been brought under the NRL wing. The Eels are really the only club that needs help rebuilding the basket.
scribble
Guest
you're a glass half empty guy aren't you
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Your input is always valued Oikee.
scribble
Guest
How has it fallen behind? It just got a 1bn TV deal without teams in WA and SA. If anything that shows that the NRL doesn't need to expand anytime soon. In fact if you want to break it down the NRL gets more money per minute of coverage than the AFL. Yes it would be nice to get teams in WA and SA but I can see why the NRL wouldn't be in a hurry to do so.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Miles, Again, you're completely wrong. The Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Bears were both the very definition of project teams.
oikee
Guest
There wont be any expansion, with clubs needing to be bailed out, infigthing and falling crowds and viewers, the code will be lucky to drag rusted on sponsors back next year. Harvey is gone, Telstra gone, Toyota walked and Holden is on the brink. Once Sonny leaves the chooks, and he will, its all over as clubs paddle and struggle to draw crowds next year. The Broncos are now busted and going backwards, 5 thousand drop in crowds, no finals, next year looks even worse. Titans CEO has taken the bolt, Tigers need bailout, Eels are running on less than zero and canberra has hired a lemon. Rock bottom is upon us.