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.
Gary Magpie
Roar Guru
The suggestion that we can only produce 16 (or 12) quality teams is just not true. The fact is that clubs are risk averse - and so are players (in fact, people are risk averse). For the players - embarking on a career in professional rugby league is pretty dumb. If you make it, it is only a 10 year game and then you need to find something else (some State of Origin players are mine workers now...). But chances are that you won't even make it, due not in a small way because there aren't many spots available. Say you are of average height and build and are starting to pack on some muscle in your teens - you probably have a chance of less than 5 positions in a squad, which makes 80 contracts per year. Estimating 10 year careers, there are 8 new signings per year. Good luck if you don't have a well-connected dad who hooked you up at age 16. In fact, if your career trajectory is offcourse at age 19, you are finished. For the clubs - signing a new player is risky. It will cost you dollars and time. The 'dollars' are not just the contract payments but also the cost of developing them, training them and, in Cronulla's case medicating them. The 'time' factor exponentially increases the 'dollar' risk because if you choose poorly, it is a 3-5 year mistake and you can't afford many backups. As a club executive, you are a fool not to go with the regional development squads that grassroots leagues have recommended - that is, the sons of the Board members. Of course, there is also a lot of legitimate talent that make it every year as well but you then need to invest time and money into finding it for yourself. Hmmm, too hard. Now consider expanding the opportunity - 35 clubs equals 175 potential contracts, 17 new signings per year using the above assumptions (for the average height and build teenager). Are your comments really suggesting that going from 8 to 17 new signings per year is something Australia can't manage? Of course it is. In fact, because of the risks for players and clubs I have mentioned, it actually creates more opportunity for new talent to be uncovered with little downside risk to match quality. And that's not to mention that a forward-thinking, growth strategy would actually increase participation in both the developing and developed states (and countries) which similarly increases the talent pool. Of course there is enough talent! The problem is the current risks and barriers for players and clubs and expansion of the NRL. Rraising the profile of second tier competitions in all states (in whatever form) is the future. Just don't expect the not so independent NRLIC version 1.0 to achieve it. Viva revolusi!
Knightblues
Roar Guru
now your just being silly
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Googar classic is it a lizard?
Knightblues
Roar Guru
kiwibear-| I've given it some more thought and your probably right, I would definitely support the idea of a second kiwi club in wellington but. To be realistic, we need in the next 10 years a second kiwi team(wellington) bring back the bears at north Sydney , Perth team, second Brisbane team, a central coast team, and for both mergers to break up and return to their previous incarnations. Now that's only 5 more teams add Port Moresby for 6 and you have a 24 team comp. Split that into 2 conferences of 12, top 5 in each go to finals, a bit of elitism but needed in this case, winner of each conferences finals go into GF.
Clint
Guest
The Broome Sweepers would be a certain inclusion in the next nrl expasion surely?? Dont forget Albany too, huuuge market!! Nowra Dolemen could work, Canberra Senators, Canberra Burley-Griffins. All underutilized nrl heartlands just creaming out for a team to call their own!! I think a 47 team comp by 2021 is the way to go.
KiwiBear
Guest
KnightsBlue. I think you could definately realisticallly re-launch the Bears as a combined North Sydney /Central coast entity now and it would be successful. I think everyone knows that. Those who oppose it fear the potential this could bring . As for your idea about three North Island teams if you based one in the South Island you have three strong Rugby provinces in Southland, Otago and Canterbury plus there is a strong tradition of League in Canterbury. Also Wellington based but Hamilton is geographically to close to the South Auckland base the Warriors have. Just a thought!
Lion Down Under
Guest
Sorry, I meant Googar, misspelt it. It is similar to a Goanna, comes from the Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay language. Brewarrina Golden Googars play in my local comp so it was a name that popped into my head.
Lion Down Under
Guest
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Knightblues
Roar Guru
Goulbourn Gougars did you mean Cougars, Im trying to imagine what a gougar would look like?
Knightblues
Roar Guru
no there are enough clones as it is, but Im impressed with League this year, there seems to be a lot more exciting games and play than in previous years.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
neither but I do have schizophrenia if that helps?
robertdowney
Guest
we would need an australiasian / pacific region breeding program in order to ensure we have enough players and of high quality and also enough spectators to provide the income required. perhaps cloning is the answer.
Matthew Edwards
Guest
in a word? no. It is still a really terrible idea. i am hoping you are trolling or about 11
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Nope, this is cereal.
Scott Pryde
Expert
This has gotta be a stitch up right?
Knightblues
Roar Guru
good one, very funny, especially getting the uni students to play made me laugh my hed off.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
I believe we can get attendances back if we drop ticket prices, family of four in any NRL game in for 50 dollars, things like that, also times are wrong for a lot of games being played, too late at night etc or areas not marketered well enough to say this is the best day and time for the Cowboys to play at home, we will get 25,000 instead of 19,000, we have to smarten up.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
I don't think 50,000 shark supporters would agree with you on that.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
No Im not, everyones entitled to their own sport, if I had been born in Victoria I would be passing a sherrin too. Im a mad swans supporter also, I have been since the mid ninetys, only been to one game, and I wouldnt wear the gear, because Im too rugby league, but I like just like watching them play on telly. Theres enough room in this country for both codes, and both should just concentrate on their own game and not try to destroy the other one. This is a sporting country, we are not like England with just one code.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
I don't think there will be any ISIS mate for much longer, so there goes that idea.