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In my last article discussing NRL expansion, there were plenty of comments and suggestions for other ideas.
Firstly, I want to thank one Roarer, Doug, who posted in my last topic about NRL expansion. He gave me a better idea.
His three-conference plan was much better than my two-conference one involving 32 teams, in almost every way.
I’ve come to the conclusion from the feedback on my last topic about NRL expansion, that as much as I’d like to see amateur rugby league come back at NRL level, it is unlikely due to the amount of money involved these days.
Here is the superior NRL expansion plan to end all other NRL expansion plans.
Queensland Conference (11 teams)
Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys, Gold Coast Titans, second Brisbane team, South western Brisbane, Central Queensland, South East Queensland, Port Moresby, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Darwin.
NSW Conference (14 teams)
Newcastle Knights, Balmain Tigers at Leichardt, Wests Magpies at Campbelltown, Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers, Canterbury Bulldogs, St George Dragons at Kogarah, Illawarra Steelers, Cronulla Sharks, Manly Sea Eagles, Easts Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs, North Sydney Bears, Central Coast.
Southern Conference (10 teams)
Canberra Raiders, Melbourne Storm, a second VIC team at Geelong, a third VIC team based in rural Victoria, Adelaide, Perth, a second WA team at Fremantle, Auckland Warriors, a second New Zealand team at Wellington and a third New Zealand team at Hamilton in the Waikato.
I have decided against placing a team on the South Island, however there would be the potential for many South Island players to be signed by North Island clubs.
There would be twenty two rounds for all three conferences, beginning on the same weekend.
The Queensland Conference – with 11 teams – would play all other teams in their conference twice, and then two other teams three times.
The NSW Conference with 14 teams, would play each other once and then nine teams twice.
The Southern Conference with 10 teams, play each other twice, and then four of the teams three times.
Finals
Minor finals – the top four teams in each conference would go into the finals, in a knockout played over two rounds.
Major finals – the three conference winners from minor finals play each other over two rounds.
After this, the top two on for and against in the major finals go into the grand final a week later.
Southern Conference
To attract players to the Southern Conference, there will of course be a lot more money offered.
A Southern Conference contract would see any player being paid a further 25 per cent worth of his contract from the NRL as an incentive.
A Queensland contract would provide an added 15 per cent of his contract more from the NRL, for the travel. A NSW contract would be a standard contract, no allowance offered.
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