Here is the next part in this six-part series on the NRL’s most powerful clubs.
Check out my criteria in my previous articles.
5. Storm
Premierships – three
Members – 23,081
Crowds – 16,454
Index total – 39,535
The Storm are an influential club. Cameron Smith, however, is the most powerful player in the game due to his status on the back of a remarkable career that has no used-by stamp applied.
The Storm have built an impressive following from the days at the old Olympic Park to the modern AAMI Park. The key has been not to go to war with the AFL and this has got the local press on side. As perennial winners they will always get favourable TV time slots and with the backing of Jayco owner Bart Campbell they hold their own in the money stakes.
The NRL need the Storm to be an integral part of the national competition in the nation’s second largest capital city.
6. Knights
Premierships – two
Members – 19,648
Crowds – 17,257
Index total – 36,905
One of the best supported teams in a one-team town, the Knights are a destination other clubs envy. Always battlers since they came into the comp in 1988, things changed when junior tycoon Nathan Tinkler turned Newcastle into ‘Tinkler Town’ on the back of also buying the Newcastle Jets A-League team.
Blanket coverage in the Newcastle Herald, on radio and strong TV support make the Knights a very popular team. Boasting an Immortal in Andrew Johns and pivotal in the Super League war by staying solid with the ARL, the Knights’ influence at League Central cannot be underestimated, which is also due in part to its massive junior base.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
7. Raiders
Premierships – three
Members – 19,493
Crowds – 14,262
Index total – 33,755
They were a powerhouse of the ’80s when big Mal Meninga was the superstar centre at club, Origin and international level. The Green Machine has had a lot of lean years but Ricky Stuart, the favourite son, has led them back to the top, making last year’s grand final.
Sharing Canberra Stadium with the ACT Brumbies does not put an unfair burden on the club. Never a team to attract international multinationals as shirt sponsors (remember Woodgers and Canberra Milk), they are a club that has engaged their region and have a massive following to boot.
Another team the league needs, they don’t shy away from cultivating support among the homesick politicians in Canberra for the cold winter sitting days winter.
bleedsgreen
Roar Rookie
if financials were added to the mix then the Raiders beat the other clubs in this contest hands down.The Raiders group turns over close to $100 million per year & post profits of in excess of $10 million each year. Considerably larger then the other clubs listed.
Mark Scarfe
Roar Guru
On the back of that company getting knocked back by countries around the world to install 5G networks due to security concerns with China. It’s a pity that took on a sponsor with a bad international reputation.
Randy
Roar Rookie
Well the writer is wrong about their sponsors. They have Huawei as their major sponsor which dwarfs just about any national company you can think of in terms of revenue.
William W
Roar Rookie
So they are 15 years behind the Rabbitohs then.
Parasite
Roar Rookie
They were in the early 90's, couldn't get another team on a Friday night. They deserved it though, they had a cracking team. Ch9 are a bit full of it seeing as years ago they had no problem with the raiders on FTA each week.
Mark Scarfe
Roar Guru
Fair comment but Ive rated the teams on the here and now not 10 years time.
Mark Scarfe
Roar Guru
As an aside and it didn't influence the ranking, when I sent this in I did so without adding that the Knights have now been bought by the powerful Wester Suburbs Leagues Club in Newcastle. They are the biggest club in town and own several other clubs other than the one at New Lambton and are loaded. They will be building a Centre of Excellence in conjunction with the NSW govt and as is seen by signing Ponga to a rich deal they are prepared to spend.
max power
Guest
you will fall to the bottom once smith and bellamy imports leave
Melbournian
Guest
Melbourne Storm is only getting stronger. There are Victorians that aren’t in love with the game, but adore the Storm. It says a lot about the culture of this club and how well it’s run - how well it presents. Success is premierships, not making the finals - What a mindset!! Bring on the bronze statues of Smith, Slater, Cronk and Bellyache. You’ve rated the Storm 5th. By 2030, 30,000+ members and rated in the top 2.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Raiders are one of the most powerful teams, and use that power to get all those ch9 games every year, and to attract big name signings to the club