Due to my extreme passion for rugby league and the NRL, I can’t help but feel frustration with the way that the league is managed.
I have written article after article, and worry about sounding like a broken record, but I feel as though discussing expansion and the format and scheduling of the league is essential in developing the code.
For starters, expansion. Many will argue that expansion is not yet viable due to the fact that there are current clubs that are dependent on the NRL’s management.
But in the NRL is currently reaching a point in time where the decisions they make will ultimately affect how popular and how much interest they can create in Australia for years to come.
I’m going to be plain about this, the NRL have to expand in order to strengthen the code. It’s just a given. People who live in areas such as Perth, Central Coast, Adelaide and Wellington will soon be completely lost to other sports if the NRL doesn’t act.
The next two teams that need to be introduced, probably in 2018 when the TV rights deal is up for negotiation, are the West Coast Pirates bid and the Brisbane Bombers bid (although that team name really needs to be changed). This move will consolidate Brisbane and create a strong derby and rivalry in Brisbane and help bring in new fans.
The move to Perth is also essential as a city like Perth is more than deserving of a team. AFL-city or not, a city the size of Perth needs a team. The NRL can’t expect to increase exposure and increase fans and members of it doesn’t introduce teams into places where they’re aren’t currently.
The next expansion, which will probably be around 2022 or so, needs to be in either Central Coast or Wellington, but one that is definitely need is Adelaide. Many will argue that Adelaide is an AFL-city and will never support a rugby league team but the fact is if the NRL ever wants to become a ‘national sport’ and increase numbers in popularity and grassroots juniors nation-wide, it needs to move into areas that have a relatively big population.
Adelaide has proven that they are sports-mad and have the ability to strongly support a team. The NRL needs them. Wellington and Central Coast should also be considered as they will also help to increase numbers in popularity.
The second issue I feel the NRL needs to address is the format in which the NRL is ran and scheduled. Firstly, 26 rounds, plus a completely packed pre-season and Origin period, as well as the international matches at the end of the season, is way too much for players. The amount of injuries seen this year already is too high and takes excitement and star power away from matches.
Before I have proposed a divisional-system, with four divisions made up four teams in a 16-team competition.
If the NRL were to increase to an 18-team competition however, perhaps three divisions of six teams could be viable.
Division 1
Broncos, Bombers, Cowboys, Titans, Knights and Manly
Division 2
Roosters, Souths, Dragons, Sharks, Warriors and Storm
Division 3
Eels, Bulldogs, Panthers, Tigers, Raiders and Pirates
This would obviously follow the system that you play each team in your division/conference twice (2×5=10 games) and the every other team once (1×12=12 games), making a 22-round competition which I feel the players would much prefer. This also allows for stand-alone Origin and representative weekends.
The NRL could go as far into the divisions as allowing the top two in each progress to the finals to make the top six, with the two final spots being wildcard spots. If not, they can just do the top team in each group to make the top three and the next five positions being the next highest teams.
This would create tribalism, and actual rivalries in the NRL, something that is lacking so much nowadays. Knowing your team is coming up against another in the division and potentially vying off for that much needed second spot will generate higher crowds as people feel they need to attend the game and get behind their team. The fact that most teams in each divisions are close to another geographically helps this.
What happens when we move to 20 teams you ask? Well that’s another issue for another day.
But these changes need to be implemented in the NRL before the game loses potential fans and juniors to other sports.
Michael
Guest
Yes changes are needed in Rugby league, not sure which changes best but in this fast changing world RL must innovate and meet people's expectations. Changes such as new teams sounds good , I personally would like the scrum removed. But the biggest change I would like, is the whole discourse of RL changed, example; RL must sell itself as the premier game not some offshoot of RU , let's face it RU is boring and second rate to RL , lets advertise it that way . RL is not the favourite private school game , but that doesn't make us inferior as RU would like people to believe. Sometimes I think some journalists believe this -Iam better than you rubbish because I go to a private school. Michael
Jimmy
Guest
Just wait and see QConners. It may be closer to a reality than you think.
Justthetip
Guest
Agreed brothers would have the most support. I wrote an article on this that didn't get published.
Justthetip
Guest
Less than half the league supporters in Brisbane are broncos fans but I think brothers would get the most support of a second team because most non broncos fans already have a team. Your rely on second team support when introducing a second team.
QConners
Roar Pro
Central Coast deserve a team and the public would most certainly get behind them. What is needed for a Central Coast is guaranteed financial backing, something the NRL would have to make compulsory if they wish to join by 2022. I agree the next teams won't be from NSW. But I believe Central Coast deserves to be in the next expansion afterwards.
QConners
Roar Pro
Although it's great to see a similar mind who is thinking of new ways the NRL can work, unfortunately I don't see this one ever happening. For starters the idea that Rugby League be changed to 4x25 min quarters I think will be strengthen into anything as its so against the fabric that rugby league was built on. Also, the idea for the WCC is extremely ambitious. After a gruelling season, the last thing players will want to do is leave to England one week after celebrating a hard fought premiership. I think the current method of both winners versing each other at the start of the season is fine. I do like your idea of a Six Nationa but and hope the NRL introduce in the coming years as it will help to grow the game more outside of Australia/NZ/England and into other countries. Unfortunately this all seems a bit too far-fetched for my liking but and a bit too much to ask for from the players. A 23-round season, plus finals and SOO, and a possible Four Nations at the end of the season is already a lot to ask for in itself and as proven last year, can be too much for some players to handle. Their bodies need more rests especially in between seasons which this structure doesn't support as most teams start training in around late Nov/early December
QConners
Roar Pro
Although 25 minute quarters is appealing to some, I feel it will damage the fabric of the game. Rugby League has always been built on 2x40 minute halves and should always be like that. There needs to be less tinkering in that aspect and more in other departments such as the introduction of a transfer window and the draw. And your idea of Roosters being relocated I feel is one that will probably never proceed. The Roosters are one of the wealthiest clubs in the NRL not to mention the only Foundation Club today to have played in every season. The Roosters won't leave Sydney. If anyone is to relocate it would most likely be the Tigers. Though having said that, the Central Coast public have advocated that they want their own team, and not a relocated one.
QConners
Roar Pro
And by 'viable' you actually mean 'fantastical' or 'impossible' right?
QConners
Roar Pro
Well the NRL isn't exactly working in its current state. Players/coaches disagree with many systems the NRL has in place at the moment, one of which is the scheding.
QConners
Roar Pro
Precisely. P/R in NRL will never work and nor should it be attempted.
QConners
Roar Pro
The obsession comes because the way the draw is now is unfair and drags on. Plus if we don't introduce something that actually excites fans, than the game will continue to decline in numbers.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Please tell how Brisbane can support 2? Brisbane is a pretty united place without the divisions of Sydney or Melbourne.
Jimmy
Guest
Only viable option is the inclusion of a pacific team from Fiji or PNG.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I'm also from Melbourne and while that's the case now, as the game grows in Victoria I find it hard to believe it will remain that way forever.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The problem any conference system is that with 11 teams within the NSW border* there's no easy way to break them up without it just being kind of silly and any situation where they aren't broken up means that the other conference is constantly at the airport. *and 8.5 of them being in the same city, with half of the Dragons, the Raiders, and the Knights outside of Sydney.
Niall
Roar Pro
Haha, I was thinking NSW, QLD and then everywhere else. In hindsight it was definitely a mistake.
BeastieBoy
Guest
Agree with the sentiment but not the order. I would leave Perth and Adelaide to later and I would cement the heartland including Wellington. However I would transplant the Roosters to the central coast. They have been buying up clubs there and that's where they want to be. They have little support left where they are. Let's souths have the area. I like the expansion of the game time to four 25 minute quarters. That will make game day more of an event and will directly compete with the afl. Yes we need to reduce the number of games for players. The extra game time will be covered by extra on the Roster. They have spare capacity with the reduction of the interchange for current game time
Alex L
Roar Rookie
NZ and Perth in the same conference? Are you an employee of some strange airline that doesn't touch the Australian east coast?
matty matt
Guest
as long as there is no CQ team i am all for it (has anyone ever been to Rockhampton?)
kevin dustby
Guest
every euro football comp has this system, not just the english