NRL restructures second-tier competition, including under 20s

Yep the RLPA may not approve it. In NBA you have to be aged 19, and 1 -academic-year removed from High School. I don't mind players having to be 19 before they can play NRL(1st grade), as it gives teams a chance to see what players can do in lower divisions before signing them and playing them. But it's a tough one as players aged 18 need to put food on the table to, and the many are responsible adults, not all will blow it on booze, young players 18-21 get far more welfare support and education e.g. clubs having financial expert advise them on money etc, so in some ways they should be retrained. But at aged 19 it gives club a good 1 year or 2 to see what there like first, and maybe not lavish bidding wars for kids like Kayln Ponga etc. You have to be 18 now to play NRL, you can be 17 anymore e.g. Brasher/Fitler/Lance thompson/Tony puletua.

The details haven't been released officially as yet so speculation is in play concerning the Juniors. This State League for the U20s is primarily to reduce costs for the Clubs. The U16s and the U18s it is so that they do stay in their Country homes. This is designed mainly to prevent youngsters being brought to the city at such a young age then being discarded when they don't make the grade. The U20s is something else as the better kids will always be promoted up to the Platinum League and then eventually to the NRL. Legally anyone over 18 or for those who have left school can't really be prevented from leaving home and signing for any club. In the original submission to the clubs... The NRL want to bring in the "19-years old" minimum age for NRL Contracts. Not sure if the players association will approve that.

Lots of good points you raise. 1)Draft I think will happen, and as long as a player can request trades then so be it. But many other sports you get drafted and don't have a say, it's not a restraint on trade as know one is forcing you to play in the AFL/NBA etc if you don't want to and don't like the draft-rule. -This "BELIEF" of kids staying at home part at under-20's level I don't totally agree with. Kids will still trade between states to find opportunities, and kids from places like Cairns, if Townsville doesn't give em a chance may have to go to Gold coast/Ipswich/Brissy, and that's along way away. Same with kids from say Lismore, still will have to go to Sydney if Gold coast don't give him a start etc. Are the NRL gonna ban TV-viewing of state u-20's games for fear of exposure etc. And there will still be pressure in u-20's state-comps as many have said. I think the main reason behind scrapping the NYC was costs and to give more players a chance with a higher number of state league clubs, rather than a player welfare issue. There still will be pressure on kids in the state-leagues. U-16's-18's, whose gonna take control of that the NRL clubs still? So kids will still move away from home at 16 for a chance.

I know that many of you thought that when Shane Richardson was working at the NRL that you guys thought it was a waste of time and money because none of you actually saw what he was working on... BUT EVERYTHING that he was working on is coming to fruition. South Sydney has been planning for this for the past 2 years now. WHY do you think that Richo came back to Souths? WHY do you think that we allowed so many players to leave? Value for Money that's why. Sure some players couldn't hack the training and did complain. Some were on more money than what they showed on the field. Souths have had some 10 Juniors allowed to go but we kept the best ones! ONLY 2 Players remain because they wouldn't budge, they have a contract for 2017 but will be at Norths. Most Clubs Employ about 75 players across the 3 Grades. Souths are down to about 40 players with Contracts. Souths sign many unknowns on what we term as "train and trial" contracts. It is up to them whether they get offered a FULL NRL Contract, or they go back and play park footy. All others are either on part-time contracts where they will need to work or to just play for the bare minimum PLUS match payments as in the U20s. People should realise that by streamlining the NSW and Qld Leagues this is designed for the aforementioned. Kids not leaving home too early. To get Country Leagues involved To spread the talent To save costs for the Clubs. Clubs are losing Millions of Dollars every year that is why this process is being put into place. ***YES, I think the Clubs will eventually end up with only 1 grade. I have mentioned this in other Posts that the Clubs are pushing for a 36 player roster and including 6 Rookies. The ARL commission in conjunction with the NSWRL and the QRL will control the rest. Shane Richardson has always supported a draft system. The Junior Leagues are not a fair and level playing field in regards to actual playing numbers! The Broncos, Cowboys, Raiders, Knights, Dragons, Titans and the Warriors all have an unfair advantage. The Storm also has South East Qld to choose from. They are all Regional and/or 1 City 1 Club teams. The Tigers have Campbelltown which are OK. The Panthers and the Eels have a sizable junior league! Clubs like the Sharks, Sea Eagles and Dogs have reletively small junior territorys. The Rabbitohs are going pretty well but numbers are dropping. The Roosters were forced to go to Wyong but the Central Coust Junior League has the control not Easts. **************************************** SO having written all that! This is my theory: A Draft System will be introduced probably after the NEXT TV deal. In 2023, You can count on it! Off course ONLY if the Players Association agrees to it. A second Brisbane team, Perth, Central Qld and Wellington may also be added. Vincent Hugh If a Club does select a certain player who doesn't want to go to that club then they will NOT be forced to join that particular club as deals will be done as in the AFL. Clubs will exchange draft picks and do trade offs. Sammy The Junior Reps will continue in its current form for 2017, we are not sure what will happen after that. Harold Mathews U 16s and S.G.Ball U 18s in NSW and Cyril Connell Cup U16s and Mal Meninga Cup U18s in Qld. Johnno Only 1 club from Port Moresby mate, sorry for the confusion. Parra Young players won't be drafted away until they complete their U20s and are signed by the NRL 1st Grade team. In the past players were brought down to City clubs at 14 and 15 for the Junior reps and at 18 for the U 20s... This won't happen any longer!. Leave a comment, please!

Which teams will field sides in the SG Ball (U'18s) and Harold Matthews (U'16's) competitions ? Will it be the NSW-based NRL teams or NSW Cup / Jersey Flegg (U'20s) Clubs ? Perhaps both. There are 11 NSW-based NRL teams, but counting both halves of Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra JVs makes 13 junior Clubs. There are 5 State League Clubs based in Sydney-metro, eg North Sydney Bears, Newtown Jets, Windsor Wolves, Central Coast Centurions, Wentworthville Magpies, so that makes 18. If State League teams are established in Orange/Bathurst (Charles Sturt Uni) and Coffs Harbour (Southern Cross Uni) then would they be encouraged to run U'16s / U'18's teams as well ?

But right now, SG Ball (U'18s) and Harold Mathews (U'16s) are run by the 9 stand-alone NRL Clubs (NSW) + St George + Illawarra Balmain + Western Suburbs + North Sydney + Central Coast + Western Academy + Perth (17 Teams). State League Clubs are not capable of running all Junior Grades from Harold Mathews, SG Ball, Jersey Flegg / Holden Cup and NSW Cup. If State League Clubs are given control of the Juniors then the NRL Clubs would only exist for the "First Grade" NRL Competition. Is that a likely change ?

A draft system will never happen and only a foo, would think it would work. A draft only works in a code where there is no competition for them i.e; AFL, NFL, NBA. If a player gets drafted to a team they don't like they will simply go and chase more money in Rugby....

I agree, I suspect the under 20s comp is limited to onshore (Aus) teams only. PNG and other offshore 2nd tire sides will likely have another domestic comp as an alternative. Not sure, but to have two teams travelling (u20s & 2nd tier team ) traveling might be too costly and time consuming travel wise.not sure

The Hunters are in port Moreseby already, are you saying a 2nd PNG side in QLD Cup. 8-rounds for u-20's is not enough, don't know how that will help them. Having to then lug the best of those guys into a men's comp (NSW/QLD Cup senior sides) is in no way a help for them as many won't be ready for that level of footy.What will the majority do, just train and work on there skills.

Good points, let's hope the Bears can do it alone in 2018.

Thanks for reply. I thought a draft system was off the table as it will conflict with the recent changes to pathways. Young players drafted will need to relocate to nrl clubs away from home. Won't this situation perpetuate the current problems, suicide etc that exist in u20s comp? Also I think the u20s comp will run for 8 weeks only, not a full season. I could be wrong though but if correct then all the emphasis is on the state leagues. Interested to know more on this. Personally I think how it works now creates the most even comp in the world. I imagine the nrl will want to keep it that way. There is a proposal that nrl squads increase to 30-35, which includes 6 rookies. Perhaps a draft system limited to their selection is possible, and under the guidance of nrl welfare officers being away from home might not cause mental issues such as suicide etc? Richardson was clear on how the Platinum league should look, teams and locations etc but this appears to be shelved? Not sure what the nrl have to replace it with? Hence my comments before about making it up as they go along? I'd like to know more of the detail but the nrl appear cagey about this. On relocations I think you are correct, the nrl I believe plan to reduce the number of teams in Sydney as I think they believe 16 to 18 teams is the ideal number. The discussion around perpetual licences and nrl takeover of clubs under performing including assets may ifer evidence of this occurring in future? I would love to know more about the secret discussion at nrl central. I suspect they have a plan but it's a controversial one, hence secret.

Every club does that mate. Souths have been doing it for years, then the Rorters pinch them! Bring up the best S.G. Ball players to the U20s and then promote the best of the U20s to the State League!

My gut feeling is that this is all a prelude to implementing a draft system. It is no coincidence that both the NSW and the Queensland State Leagues for Over aged players and for U20s will both be structured identically. Coincidence? I think not! It seems that teams from Perth, Wellington and Fiji will be admitted to the NSW State league soon. Teams from Port Moresby and the Northern Territory will be admitted to the Queensland State League. I think that this may eventually lead to a reduction of clubs in Sydney by forced relocations and by bringing in new franchises into the NRL. How many Clubs will eventually be in the NRL? I think 20 will be the maximum.

Does anyone have an idea as to the eventual final outcome of second tier and nrl? Curious as to whether there is a strategic plan that covers everything? It's curious the nrl hasn't released its strategic vision, in detail that is. It seems they are rudderless making it up as they go on. If I was in charge I would be specific about expansion etc as this demonstrates confidence in the code's potential for growth important for the perception of health in the game.

Is that that the right word?

I can't wait for this piece of literary genius!!!!

I can help you with the Bears situation... First of all the Rabbitohs want to keep the bears as our reserve grade team but the problem is that the Bears want to go it alone! The agreement between the Rabbitohs and the Bears expire at the end of 2017, perfect timing for this new Platinum League and the U20's State Cup. Now that Souths have kicked out the Roosters junior clubs from our competition Souths can now take full control of the entire Eastern Suburbs area, and Inner South East of Sydney. From the city and the Harbour right down to the airport. Quite a massive turnaround considering the Roosters had Souths kicked out of the NRL and it was them who that tried to take control over the entire Souths area. The Juniors Club at Kingsford is way too rich and powerful for the entire Roosters organisation. Karma at work! The Bears actual district is another situation as Manly have tried to take control for years but the North Sydney Juniors are financial with the backing of their very rich Leagues Club. As you know the Jets are aligned with the Sharks. Both situations are purely financial.

There you go, now I have people thinking about it. You can find out for yourself it is called research. I will name them in my report, due soon.

Only a Rookie on this site, I have quite a few published works. As far as the additional information is concerned, Jake Rosengarten didn't provide anything, I did.

Would you cut any other Brisbane teams?