About twelve months ago, an ex-NRL first grader told me that rugby league in Perth was about to explode.
And he was right. Perth is primed for an NRL team.
With every passing year that volcano simmers and the inevitable eruption gets closer.
There are obvious reasons that the NRL should expand to Perth. We read about the bid in the media every day.
Prime TV slots, massive injections of money from mining magnates and cashed up sponsors in Western Australia. It’s all there, ready to go.
However, what people don’t realise is that it goes way beyond that.
The junior competition in Perth is strong. Granted, to someone who has seen junior rugby league on the east coast, it doesn’t compare favourably.
But take into account that Perth is thousands of miles from rugby league’s heartland and well and truly smack in the middle of AFL territory, and even the harshest critic will crack a wry smile and concede that it is doing well.
There are 10 junior clubs in Western Australia’s capital.
Mind you, that is only counting Perth and not other competitions around WA that are also very strong; the Pilbara is one that comes to mind.
Every one of these clubs has a proud tradition of rugby league, and boast a number of local juniors who have since gone on to play first grade in the NRL.
Rugby league was at its strongest in Perth when the Western Reds were in the national competition.
The reasons for this are obvious. They had a local presence in the strongest competition in the world and this created a distinct pathway for local juniors.
Interest in the game was huge, and everyone wanted to be a part of it.
Unfortunately for Perth, and WA as a whole, the fallout of the Super League war saw the ARL in damage control mode, and Perth were one of the casualties of a competition that was forced to withdraw to its heartland to rebuild.
This was understandable, but was a huge dagger in the heart of the fans in Western Australia, and did nothing to help the local clubs compete against a rising passion for AFL and the Eagles.
Fast forward to today. The situation in Perth has done almost a full 360 and interest has peaked once more.
Why? The mining boom is one big reason.
People don’t realise how many people from the eastern states have moved into Perth in the past five years.
The city of Perth has literally doubled in size recently, and there are more rugby league supporters in the city than ever.
Add to that the local Kiwi population, and the passion is running deeper than it ever has before. All it needs is a kick start to get it moving. The NRL can provide that kick start.
Local players are striving as hard as they can to show the rest of Australia they have what it takes.
Western Australia compete in the Affiliated States Championships every year, which consists of all the states outside of the traditional NSW, Queensland and ACT.
Last year, the open mens won that championship, while the 18s proved they were no easy beats by making the final.
In the 15’s, however, Western Australia dominated and won the title undefeated, showing Australia well and truly what the local juniors are capable of.
The West Coast Pirates bid also runs an U15s academy in conjunction with its U18s SG Ball team.
This academy recently completed a tour of Sydney where they, too, went undefeated. Amongst the scalps they came home with was the Manly Warringah Harold Mathews team, and the South West Sydney Academy.
Neither of those teams are easy beats.
It’s these sorts of results that the NRL needs to be taking notice of. Western Australia is by far and away the strongest state for the game away from NSW, Queensland and the ACT.
For the game to expand it needs to go somewhere different.
While a team will be able to survive on the Central Coast, or do well on the outskirts of Brisbane, is it really expanding the game?
If the next Andrew Johns is currently playing U12s in Wyong, or Ipswich, he is going to get noticed.
There are NRL clubs already a short kick down the road.
If, however, he is playing in South Perth, it would take a minor miracle for him to be seen, and the game may just lose him to rugby union.
Because like it or not, the Western Force is a strong presence in Perth, and they offer a clear road to the big time.
Rugby league does not. Yet.
If the NRL is serious on expansion, it has to take the game elsewhere.
I’m not saying that the other bids are lesser bids. In fact I think they are fantastic. But the game needs to expand, not crowd an already crowded market.
Head to Perth, Mr Smith. You won’t regret it.
Crashy
Guest
So the Bulldogs attract 12000 for a one off game in Perth last weekend. I thought you all said 15-20k always turn up? I'm concerned that the novelty has worn off. The Force attracted 17k 2 weeks ago btw.
Arron
Guest
Oh and don't forget the South Africans.
IOU
Guest
Come on In Brief, I know your just chomping at the bit to bring out your Reds crowd stat. Please don't disappoint us ;)
Old Rugby Head
Guest
"Could be the end of the Force ?"...oh really ? The game I watched on Saturday night against The Chiefs was fantastic for the rugby code. I was actually surprised how many Chiefs supporters were in the crowd of 16,500. They say you're only as good as your last game and The Force have won three in a row now. Who knows, their support and media coverage may even increase with continued great results. There's room for all codes.
Joanne
Guest
Get league here in Perth..there's lots of East coasters, Aussies, kiwis and English I speak to are asking when they're getting a team here. I'm craving it (from England)!!!
Muzz
Guest
Glen - Again relocation is better than being punted.My last post was tongue in cheek as you must be aware of the Chooks V Bunnies rivalry.
Glenn Innes
Guest
Indeed lets start the showdown right here right now,WA tv figures have tripled from 2013,,well I am getting old and forgetful but is this not 2014? So we are two rounds of football removed from 2013 so what have they tripled from?Last seasons average figure..the figure from the first two rounds last year in comparison to the first two rounds this year. Like two rounds of football has any statistical merit -come the end of the season if you can show me WA figures have tripled then like you I will be delighted until then go away and play with the mental lightweights at the kindergarden for daydreamers..
Glenn Innes
Guest
Muzz - Your last post just defeated everything you have had to say on the subject - Relocation is fine as long it is not the club you support that is being relocated even a mock suggestion is enough for you to start fiding reasons it should not happen. You have just llost the argument when
baldie
Guest
thats because rugby league is not national like the other sports
baldie
Guest
by your reasoning sydney should have an mlb team.
alicesprings
Guest
Have no doubt that Perth would embrace an NRL team..and agree Sydney is the only city in this country that beats up this code war BS. When the storm came to Melbourne people were generally positive. Likewise when NRL games have been taken to Perth, they even had Nic Nat doing promos at the ground. Brisbane doesn't have code war articles every second day either!..Gees i wish Sydney would get over itself!
Muzz
Guest
Glen - Roosters aren't going nowhere mate,They have 4 leagues clubs and $50 million in assets behind them also a strong board which provides professional governance.If Souths are moved to Perth ,i will personally pay for their farewell party : )
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Most of your post I actually concur,with one or two exceptions. The funding for any expansion sides will not be forthcoming from the NRL other than grants and marketing (such as all clubs receive. In the case of the Pirates,it is a WARL initiative.IOW locals(the bid team) want it,no parachute job. Income source will be : Grants Ticketing Sponsorship(already quite a list assembled) and a big one in the pipeline when entry is confirmed Memberships Merchandise sales-the Pirate's brand could be a merchandisers dream.' The NRL will not be throwing money around for any new club.They have to show they will be self sufficient.Any shortfalls or loans would have to be repaid to the NRL. There is another Qld bidder,the Brothers clubs,covering Qld and even the NT,with potentially for a start 30,000 members,8 games at Suncorp and 4 at regional cities like Rockhampton.In fact there are so many areas in qld and elsewhere wanting to get into the NRL,it has become almost a tsunami of interest. As to the code war BS,well one can thank the arrogance of one man Vlad,and that has been well exposed on ch2 last night.When teams are thrust on a community by order of head office,use a brand new facility on rare occasions,and poach high profle players and thrust them in front of our faces for marketing purposes,then I suggest it is fertile ground for creating code wars. In fact judging by a few troll comments on this thread,the code war is not limited to one side.There was plenty of it when the Storm lobbed into Melbourne,I heard it and read it on TV and the media,with the so called experts and fans.That has since changed after quite some time.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
20 years based on what ? I doubt the Pirate backers are looking at that length of time to be self sufficient,as they are outlaying the loot. .The code has had a presence and juniors playing in the NRL and assoc comps.GWS a 20 year exercise and AFL monies did not. It had an ARL/SL team 20 years ago,precedent set.Both Glenn and AR have missed the point on TV ratings in Perth.The low TV ratings are currently based on not having a team presence in that city.The Tv ratinhs whilst low are growing. Who knows the effect of a Perth team in situ. And the prime TV advantage having a team in Perth,with the time zone advantage,is to get the Tv ratings to the Northern States. Just as the Storm does for the Northern state ratings.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
I think NRL fans have already shown that they can shun traditional means of reporting the game and go to social media for the news they want. The RLWC2013's success was put down to its great social media outreach that fans responded to, so the same can translate to the NRL. So I see no reason for the NRL/Pirates to promote the game thru other avenues if traditional media won't come to the game.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Glenn Innes, can you explain why Perth ratings for NRL on GEM have tripled in some cases from 2013? Admittedly from a low base but impressive non the less. Should AFL give up in Sydney cos the Sydney Derby from memory got around 40,000 only in the Sydney market? I think you are the one not being rational. You are one of the most negative people on this site esp when RL is concerned. A fan? Pfft
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The presence of a media mogul,would want all his media outlets to maximise general sport coverage.Whether it be print or electronic. WA media is a darn side more magnanimous re rl than the Melbourne press has been.As long as there is interest in a local side media will report it. The NRL TV rights conclude end 2017.Stokes will have his opportunity to bid for it then,in perfect timing for any Perth NRL entry. If there is one thing the NRL have learnt,buying a player from another code with little or no experience such as Barich, does little,when said player turns out to be a dud.Seems like I have read about a couple of cases on the east coast during the last 3 years.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
I was surprised how NRL ratings have doubled/tripled in Perth thru GEM.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
OK Menace,you made a statement of fact,please provide the written evidence for this year.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You have discussed this predicted non demographic movement with Bernard Salt,no doubt In Brief? Perhaps Sydney people are moving to Bali.