All of the NRL's problems - and how to solve them

The NRL has copped a lot of criticism for lots of the things they do, often compared to the AFL.

The difference with this article is that there’ll be a solution for the problems mentioned.

Attendance figures
I recently wrote an article about how the NRL could increase their crowd figures with an accessible stadium in Liverpool (in Sydney, not England), instead of trekking into the city in peak hour.

I believe it should be funded by the NRL. The article also mentioned that the NRL should backflip on the decision to rebuild ANZ Stadium, being an unpopular area to travel at most times.

But how would crowds be increased during the regular season, as well as finals? I say that all Sydney teams should relocate four of their games to other venues: Local ‘Derby’ games to Sydney venues, and other matches in an interstate venue.

Below is a possible plan for all Sydney teams, considering that Brisbane’s Magic Round is not included, and a redeveloped Allianz Stadium as well as ‘Liverpool Stadium’ (see article link above) are available for matches.

The NRL does not attract enough attendees. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Also keep in mind that the plan will hopefully evolve, meaning teams will end up taking more games to certain grounds. Teams in brackets are teams considered close enough to be a ‘derby’.

Please also keep in mind that ‘games’ means it’s a home game for that team and that a team can’t have two or more home games against the same side.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: eight games at ANZ Stadium, two games at Liverpool (vs two of Sharks, Eels, Panthers, Dragons, Tigers), one game at Allianz Stadium (vs one of Roosters, Sharks, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Dragons), one game at Western Sydney Stadium (vs one of Eels, Penrith or Tigers)

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: eight games at Southern Cross Group Stadium, two games at Allianz Stadium (vs two of Roosters, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Dragons), two games at Liverpool Stadium (vs two of Bulldogs, Eels, Panthers, Dragons, Tigers)

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: eight games at Lottoland, one game at AMI Stadium (NZ), three games at Allianz Stadium (vs three of Roosters, Bulldogs, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Dragons)

Parramatta Eels: eight games at Western Sydney Stadium, one game at TIO Stadium, three games at Liverpool Stadium (vs three of Bulldogs, Sharks, Panthers, Dragons, Tigers)

Penrith Panthers: eight games at Panthers Stadium, one game at Carrington Park, one game at Liverpool Stadium (vs one of Bulldogs, Sharks, Eels, Dragons, Tigers), two games at Western Sydney Stadium (vs two of Bulldogs, Eels or Tigers)

South Sydney Rabbitohs: eight games at ANZ, two games at Allianz Stadium (vs two of Bulldogs, Sharks, Manly, Roosters or Dragons), one game at Central Coast Stadium, one game at Barlow Park.

John Sutton of the Rabbitohs (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

St. George Illawarra Dragons: four games at Jubilee Oval, four games at WIN Stadium, two games at Allianz Stadium (vs two of Roosters, Bulldogs, Sharks, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs), two games at Liverpool Stadium (vs two of Bulldogs, Sharks, Eels, Panthers, Tigers)

Sydney Roosters: eight games at Allianz Stadium, one game at Adelaide Oval, one game at Central Coast Stadium, two games relocated to other venues across the country against non-Sydney teams.

Wests Tigers: four games at Western Sydney Stadium, two games at Leichardt Oval (might eventually move to Allianz), two games at Campbelltown Oval, four games at Liverpool Stadium (vs four of Bulldogs, Sharks, Eels, Panthers, Dragons)

What does this mean for the four 30,000+ stadiums in Sydney that teams are moving their games to?

Remember that all teams that are taking games to a venue will play their matches against other teams taking games to the venue.

Allianz Stadium
– Hosts 16 matches (better than one every two weeks)
o Will host eight Roosters matches
o Will host two Rabbitohs matches
o Will host one Bulldogs match
o Will host two Sharks matches
o Will host three Sea Eagles matches
– Finals base for Roosters, Rabbitohs (Round 1-2), Sea Eagles, Possibly Sharks and Dragons

ANZ Stadium
– Hosts 16 matches (reduced from 33 in 2018)
o Will host eight Bulldogs matches
o Will host eight Rabbitohs matches
– Finals base for Bulldogs & Rabbitohs (round 3)

Liverpool Stadium
– Hosts 14 matches (better than one every two weeks)
o Will host two Bulldogs matches
o Will host two Sharks matches
o Will host three Eels matches
o Will host one Panthers match
o Will host two Dragons matches
o Will host four Tigers matches
– Finals base for Bulldogs (round 1-2), Possibly Tigers, Sharks and Dragons

Western Sydney Stadium
– Hosts 15 matches (better than one every two weeks)
o Will host eight Eels matches
o Will host four Tigers matches
o Will host one Bulldogs match
o Will host two Panthers matches
– Finals base for Eels & Panthers

So, while most Sydney clubs move their games to bigger venues in Sydney, all the interstate teams will be moving some of their games interstate. This strategy ensures growth and expansion throughout Australia and the world.

Membership numbers
I again wrote an article about this topic, and this will simply be a summary.

Clubs must create more affordable and a wider range of memberships with more benefits to hook all the fans that avoid purchasing memberships. I didn’t mention this in the article – what about the people who buy stadium memberships?

The NRL could also consider including stadium memberships as part of club memberships. It may seem a stupid idea, considering clubs would be promoting other codes. Maybe they could offer much more of NRL games than other codes?

Expansion
Another frequently talked about topic throughout the media this year. Where does the NRL need to expand to and how? You guessed it – I also wrote on this topic.

To run you through, the NRL can’t expand until the broadcast deal ends in 2022, with suggested expansion locations including Perth, New Zealand, Brisbane and a joint PNG and Fiji team. But how could the League expand right now?

Should teams play more games in Perth? (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

My suggestion is to relocate matches – not a team – to a different location. These games would be hosted by interstate teams, if you also added in my strategy with Sydney teams above.

Basically, if all seven interstate teams took two games just to Perth, that’s 14 matches – better than one game every two rounds. It also creates competition with the AFL, now of course being no Super Rugby team based in Perth.

Roarers, do you agree with my points? Should they be slightly modified, or do they not make any sense at all? Comment below your views.