NRL has the depth to expand to 20 teams

Twenty-five years ago, the ARL was bold and expanded the game into four new teams, two of which are gone, but mainly due to Super League.

There is now talk of re-starting one and ignoring the other, which is dangerous in this competitive sporting landscape.

It is forgotten that until recent years 1995 was the most successful year in the history of rugby league on all counts, until the Super League war hit, and the number of teams were 20. Indeed, its biggest rival and mirror image sport – the AFL – is already talking 20 clubs.

With the new television deal possibly being the last chance of the massive payouts that we have seen in the past, now is the time to act, even if teams are brought in gradually.

The other argument is lack of player depth. Anyone who saw the State Championship and indeed state finals knows that isn’t a problem. Take the Burleigh Bears, for example. I am sure they would beat their parent club of last year and possibly two or three teams above them in the ladder.

There are players like Luke Page, who smashed the Great Britain team yet can’t get an extended NRL run. Greg Eastwood is an established international, Josh Cleeland is a man who some say is the best player not to play NRL. Tui Lolohea was outstanding against the Kangaroos as a half, but used in the NRL as a failed fullback or winger. There’s Ata Hingano and many more.

With the lack of opportunities, more and more players are going to Super League in their prime instead of when they’re heading into retirement, or in some cases just giving the game away. In 2017 NRL clubs had a top 25 squad with anyone else contracted eligible to play, with numbers ranging from 40 to 50. Now we have a top 30 and up to six development players and the odd emergency fill-in. These players are deemed NRL quality but often never get a chance or limited opportunities – Billy Magoulias, for example.

The Newtown Jets prove there’s enough depth for more NRL teams. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Reducing the squads back to 25 makes available another 80 players – over three teams’ worth – and I’m sure the difference can be covered looking at the above examples. The squads could have a larger development list, maybe 12 that they could back up with.

OK, why 20 teams? We have proven it can be sustained and ten games will surely bring in more revenue. Do we have the areas and interest? Answer: yes. There are four areas that need an NRL team now. Brisbane, Perth (despite the distance), Wellington and the Central Coast/North Sydney.

There are other areas like Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Northern Territory (where the AFL is looking at), Christchurch (or South Island), Hamilton, more Brisbane and Auckland areas and even Tasmania. The NRL said it won’t create teams without a bid and that is fair enough as it is one way to exhaust your money, but these areas should all have a NSW or Queensland Cup team as a feeder to an NRL club and be looked at if another expansion ever happens or a club is falling over.

I’ve also left out bids that aren’t sustainable yet such as Central Queensland (lack of population for now), Cairns (may encroach on the Cowboys too much), PNG and Fiji (lack of infrastructure), although more state cup teams are possible in those areas.

So the four? Brisbane has many options. There’s the Western Corridor including Toowoomba as a Queensland Cup team, hopefully with their own stadium creating a true rivalry. The other options are existing minority clubs or a Broncos copy.

Perth get their own team.

There’s Wellington, although Christchurch/South Island would have worked. The arguement against them is the Warriors are too poor. The reason for is that they have no competition and for Australians, NZ has not been tapped. Most of NZ hates Auckland – a rivalry similar to the state ones – and as such won’t support for the Warriors. Another team would create a massive rivalry.

Finally, Central Coast/North Sydney.

(Photo by Getty Images)

Yes, I know, another Sydney team, but the North Sydney landscape has been taken advantage of by rival sports since the Bears left and Central Coast (high population) needs some NRL exposure. The team would need to be modeled on St George Illawarra, which has worked, at least off the field.

The other thing holding the league back with players is third-party deals and new clubs could help address this with large contracts on offer, as the likes of the Roosters have become too strong.

Finally, let’s move to conferences. Imagine the excitement in the finals if two top teams had not even played each other all season.

The options are a Sydney one and an Australasian one, although the risk is the massive Sydney media may ignore the Australasian conference.

Or split Sydney in half and go two conferences that way. It could enable a wildcard match, maybe between the two fifth-placed teams.

Another thing is the salary cap, but that is another story.

Anyway, let’s be brave Todd, Peter and co. Otherwise the risks to the sport could be huge and non-recoverable.