With the introduction of the new franchise The Dolphins, we now find ourselves with an odd number of teams. While this year’s competition once again has weekly byes mixed in, the debate rages on for who should be named as the 18th team to even out the numbers again.
Having a club once again based in Perth seems to be leading the charge, while the possibility of a team in Papua New Guinea is even gaining traction.
But if Fox Commentator and rugby league tragic Andrew Voss was in charge, he’d be bringing in another team from across the ditch.
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“I’m not the bean counter, so I’m not looking at who has to actually fund it, but I would actually like a second team out of New Zealand,” said Voss.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
“The fact that you then get to have a New Zealand club derby, I think that would be enormous for rugby league over there. I think it also then would give young Kiwi players the chance for more opportunities than just the Warriors or having to come to Australia and link up with Australian clubs. I just think having two avenues to pathways for them across New Zealand is important.
“I would just love to see the game of rugby league prosper in New Zealand, and I think it’ll strengthen even international rugby league as well. So my next team is a second team from New Zealand.”
As for the team that did get the green light, Voss isn’t expecting too much out of the Dolphins this season.
“The Dolphins are a smorgasbord of players thrown together. I see a good roster, but history tells me with a few exceptions – Melbourne was up there in their second year in the comp – but it’s going to be very, very tough.
“If the Dolphins could win one-third of their games, I think they’re having a good year. So that’s the marker I’m setting for them in trying to predict what would be a pass mark for them.”
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Looking further up to the pointy end of the ladder, Voss thinks this year’s finals teams are way too hard to predict.
“I think I am as confused as I’ve ever been in my life trying to narrow down and pick a top eight. I’ve got about 14 teams in contention!
“I can’t possibly see Penrith being better, and I can’t see Melbourne being better. So there are a couple of heavyweights straightaway that have to go down the table but not right out of the eight.
“I don’t think there’ll be any big crashing and burning. Maybe Canberra don’t make the finals this year, but I think they’ll still be in the mix at the end. I’m just seeing a really competitive season this year with many teams thereabouts. Coming into the finals, still a month out, we’ll still think they are in with a chance.”
As for who will be the dark horse? Like the Cowboys in 2022, if he had to pick one club to make a push this season, it’s the Tigers. With their new recruits, along with the new coaching team of Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall, Voss believes they are the ones who can shock everyone and play finals footy.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“I think for what he’s done the last couple of years at Parramatta, I think Isaiah Papali’i is the buy of the year,” said Voss.
“You’ve signed a player who can play 80 minutes and has amazing quality in his work rate. Throw in there Api Koroisau as well as David Klemmer – the Tigers have bought exceptionally well this season. But singling out one player, I think Isaiah Papali’i at the end of the year will be the Tigers player of the year.
“I honestly believe – and I’m not that I’m saying they’re going to win the title – but I think the Tigers are going to be very much improved. I’m going to have the wooden spooners making the top eight.
“I’m not saying they are winning the title, but they will be the biggest improver of any team this year.”
Dionysus
Guest
Perth is in a better position than Melbourne in that it isn't as horribly dominating full of AFL fans. Its very very hard to get a kid to play Rugby League when every other kid plays AFL, every footy field is an oval and when you can't need to ring around a dozen sports shops to see if any of them stock a rugby ball. Perth is still gettable. Perth follows Union as well as AFL and they actually have some oblong playing fields. I think that Perth has a much better chance of home grown league talent than Melbourne will ever have. What is the alternative ? We abandon them and let AFL create another rusted on state ? That sort of thinking leads League to being nothing more than a few suberban clubs in and around Sydney.
GP
Guest
How would having a Perth team qualify the NRL to be truly national? There are no NFL teams in 22 US states. Are they thus not a national competition?
GP
Guest
Yes, but what does Perth lack? Rugby league players. The NRL can't go down the Melbourne route of perpetual imports again. It's also fairly clear than after 25 years of having the Storm in the comp, it's led to sweet FA development of grassroots rugby league in the state. Asking players to relocate to Melbourne is one thing, asking them to go to Perth is another.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
the last three years the Warriors have finished 10th,12th and 15th, considering how interrupted their last few seasons have been, no home games etc, that's a pretty reasonable result. So you are ok with the teams that finished below them the last three years being' forced on the rest of rugby league fans', like you clearly are?...because it seems there are worse teams in the 16 than the Warriors, or do you just not like an NZ team playing in your comp?
Birdy
Roar Rookie
How could the NRL ignore Perth? A new club in NZ would work in my opinion as Auckland is at war with the rest of the country. The local derby would be compelling viewing. PNG,they deserve it but sooooo many safety issues. What does Ipswich have to do to get a club? Relocation seems to be the last resort
mushi
Roar Guru
Given all that detail Vossy has clearly thought it through
woodart
Roar Rookie
where is league the national sport ? do you want league to grow ?
Cliffo
Roar Rookie
Not enough corporate support in Tas. Bring in Perth Bears
Cliffo
Roar Rookie
Perth Bears should be next
Nick Symonds
Guest
Bring back the Bears and put them in Tasmania. The Tasmania Bears with government support will work just fine, like the Hurricanes do in the Big Bash League and the JackJumpers do in the NBL. Beat the AFL and get in first.
Riddler
Guest
Perth Bears has a nice ring to it and rights a wrong by bringing the Bears back whilst promoting League in WA. Even the colours Black, White and Red aren't too dissimilar to the state colours of WA. New Zealand needs a stronger performing Warriors side before any thought is given to a second NZ team. In any event I feel WA is the logical place to go for the benefit of the time difference and for the benefit of again having a league presence on the West Coast and thus making our competition a true National Competition.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Terrible idea. One is bad enough. So we can have two terrible New Zealand based teams.Along,with forcing them on the rest of rugby league fans. Add to that rugby league in New Zealand firstly has to overcome a problem they might never: Boys in New Zealand grow up dreaming playing rugby union for the All-Blacks. While League for most there is for those not good enough to make the All-Blacks.
Dionysus
Guest
"“I can’t possibly see Penrith being better, and I can’t see Melbourne being better. So there are a couple of heavyweights straightaway that have to go down the table but not right out of the eight" Possibly with Penrith because they have lost a couple of really useful players but who knows what they have waiting in the wings. As for Melbourne, they had a terrible year last year with injuries and whilst they are not out of the woods yet particularly with the Paps injury, I think it is terribly naive to be stating that Melbourne cannot be better.
Dionysus
Guest
Look, I am as keen as anyone for RL to expand in New Zealand but how can we possibly talk about a second team over there whilst the whole western half of this country does not have a single team. Perth is THE most obvious, overlooked, missing part of the puzzle there is. Until we have a team in Perth, I cannot see any logic in talking about the Bears, NZ, QLD, PNG or anywhere else. Perth is the screamingly obvious location for the next NRL team period.