John Grant’s confirmation yesterday that south-east Queensland will most likely host the 17th NRL franchise makes the debate currently underway about the game’s second tier particularly significant.
Yes, I know we have two preliminary finals over the next 48 hours and players taking painkillers is a massive story, but surely you’ve read enough about those topics elsewhere.
In case you missed it, the NRL chairman told a media conference in Brisbane that the grand final would be taken outside Sydney once in every three years from 2019. I like that. Good call.
Secondly, he gave a very strong indication that if we do get a new team any time soon, it will be in or near Brisbane and play games at Suncorp Stadium.
What this means for other groups trying to gain entry to the NRL is that they are hoping to prove their bona fides in second tier competitions, like the Papua New Guinea Hunters are in the Queensland Cup at the moment.
Fiji and Perth in the NSW Cup is one scenario being looked at.
But there is an ideological war going on between the Sydney clubs and the NRL regarding the second tier right now. The clubs regard the second tier as a means to an end – providing a pathway for players and getting results in first grade by using these pathways efficiently.
The NRL has very different objectives.
It wants to keep kids in their home towns longer and breath life back into bush footy with true statewide competitions. It wants to use the second tier as a vehicle for expansion, as outlined above.
The NSWRL is basically the Sydney rugby league. It wants a second tier setup with lots of Sydney clubs that players can represent under the watchful eye of the first grade coach.
It doesn’t want the American concept of ‘farm teams’ – sides which actually serve a commercial as well as developmental role in smaller markets. It doesn’t want Fiji and Riverina and North Coast, it doesn’t want to bring back the Illawarra Steelers or North Sydney Bears as second tier teams.
And the debate is getting a little ugly.
Because the NRL can’t force the new structure upon the Sydney clubs, we may get those great rugby league traditions – duplication and wastage – once again. The Sydney clubs will get their reserve grade competition and the League will get NRL north and south under the grand plan outlined above.
I love the idea of some of the old trademarks being reanimated, and of Newtown playing the Steelers on a Sunday afternoon – and then these famous old names taking on Riverina and North Coast and Western Division in a properly run, televised competition.
I live a short walk from Henson Park and the ironic, hipster nostalgia surrounding the jets is enormous. Imagine it being replicated at North Sydney, Wollongong, Leichhardt, even Lidcombe!
I can also understand the Sydney clubs wanting some control over their players when they are not in first grade. But the NFL seems to manage okay without a reserve grade, doesn’t it?
Warring reserve grade competitions fighting each other for players and what few supporters there might be? Only in rugby league!
Parra
Guest
Rugby union is simply boring. Stop start, kick, kick, win by penalties etc. look, RU may have a head start on league for reasons we all know but everyone agrees RL is more entertaining to watch. The two preliminary finals played last we had more game time, drama, tries etc than any game I've seen so far in the RUWC. People will wake up one day.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
A lot about J Hayne tick. The refugee crisis tick. Heard little about it (the "real" rugby around the water-coolers,the public bars or in general discussion with friends or relos.Must have Marcel Marceau doing the marketing here.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Am I reading this correctly Bernie Powers" GWS are an AFL team in an area that does not care about rugby league". Or is that just a discreet touch of humour.
Bluebag
Guest
Agree with your sentiment if not your logic
Beergardener
Roar Pro
Don't know who Geoff Gerard is but it sounds like I have at least one person who agrees with me, unlike you....
Jarijari
Guest
Stevo, the rugby world cup's on now, you know, the real rugby, played in more than 100 countries. It's worth a look old mate.
Maroon Blood
Guest
How was the impeccable minutes silence before tonight's Broncs game, unfortunately an exception these days. So very sad about Gibbo.
peeeko
Roar Guru
your point?
millsy of perth
Guest
A gr8 read people
Karl's
Guest
Clubs need to pull their heads in and look at the bigger picture long term and reap bigger benefits for all down the track.
Ron Swanson
Guest
I want to finish off by saying raise a glass to Mike 'Gibbo' Gibson tonight, shout out 'by geez by jingo by crikey!' & salute a true legend. RIP Gibbo ?
mike
Guest
Don't need expansion look how well the rugby world cup is doing http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11886883/Rugby-World-Cup-sells-50-per-cent-more-corporate-seats-than-Olympic-Games.html
Barick
Guest
I was there too, was an awsome day!
(H)ighlander
Guest
Brisbane isn't as big as Sydney and Melbourne. I doubt very much that there are 100,000 rugby league fans here in Brisbane where I live. You will need that second 50,000 to prove a second Brisbane team was the right decision. Brisbane go so good with their crowd because they are a 1 team city. Outside of Sydney every town/city should only have 1 team. Until the Gold Coast start making the NRL finals frequently, I don't know why you would even think about another team in south-east Queensland. Remember the Crushers? I do. The next franchise in south-east Queensland should be Redcliffe or the Sunshine Coast.
Ron Swanson
Guest
Are you & Geoff Gerard one & the same??
Ron Swanson
Guest
Not for the last 5 years. I'd rather watch Netball
Ron Swanson
Guest
Wow such a plethora of talent. Do tell more...
Ron Swanson
Guest
Didn't think they had rolled Google out to Queenslanders. Technology hey.
Beergardener
Roar Pro
Have you actually read any of Rothfield's columns? Given how negative you are I was thinking all along that you have a lot in common
Beergardener
Roar Pro
How did I get to these sites - a quick Google search!!!!