NSWRL boss Dave Trodden has compared the NRL’s proposed pathways changes to that of the infamous Super League competition.
A new second-tier competition to be introduced in 2018 would include the merger of several Sydney clubs and the inclusion of numerous regional entities, according to News Corp Australia.
The competition would also see rival clubs juniors amalgamated into the zones, a move that is said to have angered a number of powerbrokers.
“We should have learned the lessons of Super League about what happens when rugby league communities get disenfranchised,” Trodden said.
“It would be a terrible thing. By trying to reconfigure the game, we ultimately cause communities that have been involved in the game for over 100 years to no longer be part of it.”
The proposed Platinum League would involve a southern (NSW) and northern (QLD) conference, with the two winners to meet on NRL grand final day.
The likes of Canterbury, St George and Sutherland would be forced to merge together in the second-tier competition, while Canberra would amalgamate with Illawarra, and Manly the Central Coast.
There would also be a New Zealand side along with a Pacific Nation team in the southern conference, while at least one match a week would be broadcast live on the Nine Network.
It would also see the abolition of the current under-20s competition, while young players could also be banned from signing a contract until they turn 19.
Rodney Olsen
Guest
Not sure about this yet but I do like the sound of some of the proposals. A game on 9 sounds really good and the introduction of a Pacific side is promising. I just hope they can get a good balance between expansion and traditional clubs, I don't want to see any club die where ever they are located.
lao hu
Guest
Something like this is inevitable the re organization of the secod tier including consolidation though I would expect a Victorian team to take part as part of the expansion. Regional teams in Newcastle , Albury etc soid logical it's similiar to the AFL's NEAFL comp. A regional feeder league down the eastern seaboard. In time the comp could be further expanded in Perth, Darwin and Adelaide etc. Network Nine agreeing to braodcast one game a week is important .
Hanrahan
Guest
"Dead Club Society." Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of.
Terry from Nyngan
Guest
Dead Club Society.
Hanrahan
Guest
So what happens to Clubs with their own identity and history - specifically Newtown (feeder to Cronulla), North Sydney (Souths) and Wenty (Parramatta)?
boonboon
Roar Pro
Neither StGeorge or Balmain currently have a team and Manly didn't want to but wern't allowed to just support a QLD Cup team
boonboon
Roar Pro
Only the bulldogs currently have a NSW CUp side - neither StGeorge or Cronulla have a side currently
MikeTV
Guest
I don't see why merged clubs are required at State Level. The number of State League Clubs should out-number the NRL Clubs by around 2 to 1 (on average) and these Clubs should be based on geographical lines. In NSW/ACT, 9 of the NRL Clubs could have 1 feeder club each, while Penrith and Wests could have 2 feeder clubs - one Metro and one Country. Then add teams from Auckland and Fiji and you have a 15 State League (extended NSW Cup). The QRL is already 14 team State League (12 teams from Queensland, 1 from PNG and 1 from Tweed Heads). So add a team from Wellington / Christchurch and you have a 15 Team State League (extended Queensland Cup). That would be 30 State League Clubs arranged in 2 x 15 team conferences. The representation would be: * NSW = 14 (13 in NSW Cup + Tweed Heads in QRL Cup) * Qld = 12 * NZ = 2 * PNG = 1 * Fiji = 1
parra
Guest
I can understand the rationale behind it but not sure about the concept of local juniors staying at their regional team or close to home when they could be poached to other regional teams and the teams home base could be far from home especially in regional areas? I would leave the existing nsw/qld comps as they are and simply add new teams into new areas as required. To protect juniors, I'm not sure we can? recognising talent at a young age, scholarships, contracts etc is important to keeping young people in the game. Perhaps more education for young people playing the game to better handle their affairs might work? On a different note, I suspect this new league might eventually replace the existing NRL teams?
Mike
Guest
Having regional teams is an interesting idea. On face value it could create pathways for local juniors and generate interest and good crowds in the areas where they play home games. I do however think it would be easier to market if they played teams called St. George, Balmain, Manly etc etc. The downside could be that the best young players will be taken away from their country group teams although its probably better than having them move to Sydney to play lower grades for an NRL team.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Its a proposal, one of many. It is only now being rolled out to stakeholders, including clubs, for feedback. some in the media are acting like its a done deal
Elton
Guest
I think this new second tier comp sound awesome but how is a merged st george/canterbury/cronulla team going to work when they are three separate clubs in the NRL?
Charles NSW
Guest
I would like to the plans mentioned but it raises concern! Surely they can draft a plan that can cater for all to the future of the game