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While there is merit in the idea of the NRL rationalising Sydney teams and culling the competition to 16 teams, it will never make it through headquarters due to the self-interested Sydney clubs wanting to stay in their heartland.
The very same clubs who, despite having decades of history, are still not viable have been given endless time to get their act together financially yet continue to draw mediocre attendance.
For the clubs to rely on TV money and pokies rewards mediocrity, yet rugby league clubs, administration and fans are content on doing absolutely nothing about the game’s growth.
There are those who deem it perfectly acceptable to look after the ‘heartland’. You’d think the heartland clubs would be strong enough by now with the recent billion dollar deal, which can also keep the struggling clubs going for a while.
The insular and narrow-minded league fans who fail to see the big picture don’t understand access to new areas mean greater growth in participation, ratings and sponsorships. They think by relying only on Queensland/NSW everything will be ok but it’s not.
Furthermore, rugby league call itself ‘the greatest game of all’, yet the fans and administration show no confidence and belief in their game expansion-wise – only doubt and excuses.
For a code which talks the talk, it doesn’t walk the walk with the statements of supporters, players, and administration.
The NRL has only put barriers in front of itself by limiting itself to 16 teams, while the other codes pro-actively expand. It’s up to the ARLC whether it wants to move forward or be in a holding pattern – something rugby league has been in for far too long.
Hopefully by 2017, the NRL clubs will have their act together, given the excessive amount of time they’ll have had to do so.
The question is; will they be pro-active or complacent, as they were in the past?
The 16 clubs’ fates rest in their own hands, not the ARLC. They make the decisions that can turn a poor club into a powerhouse – it’s their move. The ARLC only provide grants to keep them above water; it’s the clubs’ actions which decide their viability.
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