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As we head into the 17th season of the National Rugby League, it came to my attention that we actually have less teams than we started with.
In 1998, the inaugural season, the NRL consisted of 20 teams, with clubs from NSW, New Zealand, Melbourne, Queensland (including Gold Coast), and Adelaide.
Yes in that time we have merged clubs together, thus dropping the number of teams down.
But to still say that the NRL has not expanded anywhere since 1998 and still isn’t even considering it – well it’s a bit of a joke.
Many fans and alike have had strong debates about which city the NRL needs to expand into, and which bids won’t work.
My proposal is, why not all of them?
Obviously putting four to six new teams in the comp in one year, won’t work, but what about over the duration of about four years?
Because of the TV rights deal, expansion doesn’t seem to be going ahead until at least 2017. Although this date seems far away, it’s almost a perfect point in time to introduce new clubs.
There are obviously stronger bids such as West Coast Pirates and Central Coast Bears, that have been attempting to enter for a number of years now.
However other bids such as the Brisbane Bombers, Central Queensland, Wellington and Ipswich/Western Corridor that have the potential to be quite strong also.
By setting this date for three years time, it gives all the new NRL bids time to strengthen their bids in preparation for entry.
In 2017, two clubs that the NRL see fit will enter. 2018 or 19 will see the entry of two more teams while by 2020-21 seeing the premiership elevated to a 22-team comp.
The NRL need to set a date but, once and for all as well as announcing the 5-6 bids that are going to be entered also.
By doing this, it will allow the clubs to prepare themselves for their date set on top of exciting local fans for their new, confirmed team instead of keeping them wondering.
I believe there is no reason why these expansions can not take place. The NRL and the fans are ready for it. There are no more excuses.
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