Time for the NRL to create a national reserve grade

You have to raise the salary cap for second tier. This is why players go to super league. But how many clubs can afford this. If 1st grade salary cap was 10 mill and second tier was say 1 mill - that is 11 million plus money for coaching staff etc. Most clubs would need at least 15 million. Not too many have it. Roosters set up is ideal - wyong are self funded and own their own ground, as do twenties, not sure who else. NSW cup needs to be at least 14 teams. If we are not going to expand 1st grade let's build on lower level. Why should areas like Perth be given a leg up when the NRL neglect other area's.

Parra: I'd love to be head of strategy at the NRL! It'd just be a pain to deal with certain people with vested interest and little vision. Agree with a second tier moving into places like WA and maybe a VIc team (reserves for the Storm, though they seem happy with arrangements in the QCup!).

I agree it's important to focus on grassroots and pathways to 1st grade in NSW and QLD but I would argue the real growth is the southern states, AFL territory. Placing teams in these states would add value, improving overall interest and revenue positioning the game as a national sport etc. growth is critical to the game's future. Rugby league has huge potential for growth in Australia and NZ with up to seven bids. Perhaps expansion could occur in the 2nd tier first then NRL, but I would argue 16 teams is the ideal number. Adding more would dilute the quality of the product. Perhaps the NRL might remain at 16 teams with the team last on the ladder being replaced by the 2nd tier champions ? This might work. Interest in the 2nd tier would also increase adding value to the game etc. I would hate to be head of strategy at NRL hq.

Victoria and the storm have been jndklted by the NSWRL so have taken their teams to Queensland competitions soni doubt they will play s team in a nswrl competition anytime soon. Ur right in regards to leaving things as they r tho

Peeko is referring to the article which basically suggests an NRL Reggies which isnt the right path

peeko, Not sure about your "unsustainable" comment, second tier competitions (Reserve Grade, QCup, NSW RL, etc.) have been around since forever. It's about going through the grades. The issue is about making it a more viable option as path to the NRL, and a career option for those leaving the NRL. Financial viability will come from community/corporate support if they see it as a viable option to spend their money on (i.e. pay to watch the games, put on TV, sponsor the team, etc.).

Parra, not sure that the NRL is focusing on the second tier. The article suggests it should. The NRL and NRL clubs know where the money is coming from and going (and need a range of refinement around the outgoings especially). But a strong second tier is important and undoubtedly, especially in NSW, improvements can be made. It should be the major pathway to the NRL, as the 20's/spend, which leads to lopsided scorelines that blow out late in the halves, and too many players in the 20's disappear from the NRL before getting a chance. A strong second-tier should be a career option for players no longer with an NRL contract. I doubt the NRL will expand clubs in the short term, they are already well established in the major population regions of Australia (i.e. NSW/QLD). The AFL have spent massively to spread their footprint in the major growth areas of Australia (especially in SE QLD and Western Sydney, for minimal impact (especially in SE QLD)) as they know the rust-belt areas of SA, WA and Tasmania are not growth areas. (And let's face it, AFL players can't pay for their state or country, and when they do play for their country in a hybrid sport, more often then not, they get beaten by Irish amatuers. That's why it will never be a the number 1 code.

Cheers Edward, keeps a bit of tradition as well as giving regional players a pathway to a higher level, and players a good career options the their is no NRL contract.

It certainly does need refining, it was a high level but a good start, better than what the NRL paid my old mate Shane Richo for his strategic plan. The QCup and NSWCup should have the same amount of clubs as the NRL.

Compared to soccer, rugby league is far too physical collision sport to put full-time professionals up against, amaeturs, even part-time professionals.

Brian Canavan has already outlined what the plans are for next year when the U20's comp finishes.

Having 30 teams is fine if you have a conference system - which is basically what we have now with the NSW Cup and Qld Cup. You could introduce 1 or 2 inter-conference matches into the Draws but that would never be seen as fair. A better solution would be to have a combined Top 8 Finals System with 4 teams from each Competition.

I have to agree with the comments that suggest that creating a national reserve grade comp, will ruin the Intrust Super Cup competitions in both QLD and NSW. Sure, there may still be enough players to keep the state based comps running, however I'd say there would be very little interest from fans, media and sponsors/investors. My next point is a little off topic from this article, however I think it would be really cool if the NRL could adopt a relegation system where the Q cup and NSW cup winners move up, or maybe just one of them. I know this system would have its obvious issues to begin with, however would be a really refreshing change to the NRL competition.

i disagree, it is unsustainable and not financially viable. they are getting rid if the successful 20s comp for the same reason

Expansion is kicking off in the 2nd tier as a precursor which is why teams like PNG have been introduced and teams like Perth (West Coast Pirates) and Welligton are being slated. The U20s has seemingly not worked out the way the NRL wanted, and personally I think a proper functioning second tier is more important to the game long term than expansion in the top tier. What the improved 2nd tier will do is increase the depths of the NRL teams while also increasing TV saturation which leads to more sponsorships.

I'm a little concerned the NRL is focusing on Second Tier when the 1st drives revenue and grows the sport. Perhaps expansion in both tiers is the ideal option. The TV rights deal caters for expansion. What worries me also is the high level of financial support clubs receive from NRL Central that is not performance based... I'm not sure if the game can afford second tier expansion in the short term? Maybe the plan is to stick with 16 teams until the new TV deal and then expand? Who knows, but, I suspect Greenburg is courting the 'big end' of town to increase funding as the game does not have enough presently. Hopefully like the AFL sponsorship can increase. An extra $50M can do a-lot and we can all see the work AFL is doing in NSW and Qld. I wouldn't wait, if NRL doesn't expand I suspect the AFL will move into an unassailable position as the no1 code. Just some thoughts.

How about an FFA cup style knock-out competition involving top tier and low-level teams across NSW, QLD, etc. etc?

I like this idea

Have to agree with how the Qcup has stayed solid and the NSWCup has chopped and changed, it is now down to 12 teams I believe. Your ideaology is good, just needs refinement.

No real point in mergers if the clubs are already financially viable is there? There is no realy big concentration of teams in the QCup at the moment either. Brisbane has Norths, Easts, South Logan (not exactly Logan based) and Wynnum which is pretty much West/Redlands. Gold Coast only has Burleigh and Tweed. Every other club has a city/shire/region to itself.