Rationalisation of Sydney

[Miller was a legend]

Bring in the West Coast Pirates, get rid of the Cronulla Sharks, Manly and the NZ Warriors. Have them playing in the Canterbury Cup, obviously. Top 6 play-off in the NRL, over 3 weekends. Try and build a better domestic NZ competition.

I know by distance it's shorter to Auckland from Sydney than to Perth, but isn't the queuing time less for domestic flights, and the Pirates could stay in Melbourne for a few nights every now and then. It's got to be psychologically different if you're living in the same country as the comp is played. And I'm convinced that travelling overseas to another country is more draining than travelling further but over land within the same country.

Na f**k the bunnies off, again. No where near as many would fight for them as did before, since dickheads like you are so eager to see others gone

 

[Perth Red]

If Toronto and French sides can play in the SL, why can’t the Pirates?

We were considering it, then nrl booted the warl board and took over operations in the West. Timing could have been coincidental lol

Realistically flying time and jet lag would be a killer unless they agreed to blocks of 6 games at home 6 on the road

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/west-coast-pirates-may-play-in-english-league-20121110-294vr.html

 

[Miller was a legend]

We were considering it, then nrl booted the warl board and took over operations in the West. Timing could have been coincidental lol

Realistically flying time and jet lag would be a killer unless they agreed to blocks of 6 games at home 6 on the road

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/west-coast-pirates-may-play-in-english-league-20121110-294vr.html

Well I reckon they should try something like that. Not trolling on this either.

From what Greenberg said on league life I reckon they see expansion more in terms of games taken geographically more often, than new sides. I’d suggest the latter will be a case of, if/ when a club falls over. The scary part is a place like GC could end up one such club, but it doesn’t fit the agenda

 

[Perth Red]

Logistically and financially it wouldn’t work. We would have to pay travel and accomodation of visiting SL teams plus our own, lessons learnt there!

It would be something if the nrl even had a strategy for that approach but they don’t. It’s left to clubs, hence why this year perth won’t get any nrl games for the first time since 2005! Way to grow the game. Origin will be great but it will be a one week massive exposure followed by nothing for 12 months plus, there is nothing sustained about current strategy for nrl exposure and interest growth.

 

[MrE_Assassin]

Look at the history! North Sydney Bears were there since 1908.It's a reclamination for sure! The rivalry is natural sports culture which has now been eroded. Although there are still plenty of hibernating Bears fans about. (people are living longer and tv replays instill Bear memories and relevance ) It's worth the reclamation. The loss of relevance and subsequently fans has been immense. Todd Greenberg knows about the damage that has been done in this area.

I know the Bears were there in 1908. So were Glebe, Annandale, University, etc. So why not bring them back because they are all in the same region and could create rivalries.... because their areas were absorbed by the Tigers and Souths. You can still have rivalries with the current clubs based solely on a rebrand and how you promote it. If the Sea Eagles covered the North shore and Central Coast then they too could have new rivalries developed. Battle of the Bridge (North v Souths or Sydney), Battle for the F1 (Central Coast vs Newcastle), etc.

Rivalries don't even necessarily need to be location based like the Easts V Souths one. Look at how heated things were between Manly and Melbourne after the fracas with Blair and Stewart. They played on that for a couple of years as well as the square up in the back to back GFs. If it had been fostered better and built up more then it could have been a great rivalry. There is a Parra v Manly rivalry as well from back in the day. Ther only reason it's lesser known is because its not marketed properly.

You say there are a lot of hibernating Bears fans out there, but to be fair a lot of them were hibernating well before the club was ousted from the comp in a bloodless coup.

Yes, the Bears keep getting played on TV replays at the Norths Leagues club or on Fox League during the off season and there is nothing else to show, but this doesn't give vindication for them to be brought back. Just because they are played on TV does not mean there are people watching. "Reclamation" can be done by a club absorbing the region at no cost to the NRL. Hell, the Bears are now the feeder for the Roosters anyway. The Roosters are already "Sydney", so that can include the north too. The Roosters could even play games out of NSO while they are without a stadium.

The NRL has moved on from the Bears, it's only the Bears who don't see that. They are collateral from a turbulent time in the rugby league history, and it truly is a shame, but it's highly unlikely the Bears will be back in NSW.

 

[Stallion]

I know the Bears were there in 1908. So were Glebe, Annandale, University, etc. So why not bring them back because they are all in the same region and could create rivalries.... because their areas were absorbed by the Tigers and Souths. You can still have rivalries with the current clubs based solely on a rebrand and how you promote it. If the Sea Eagles covered the North shore and Central Coast then they too could have new rivalries developed. Battle of the Bridge (North v Souths or Sydney), Battle for the F1 (Central Coast vs Newcastle), etc.

Rivalries don't even necessarily need to be location based like the Easts V Souths one. Look at how heated things were between Manly and Melbourne after the fracas with Blair and Stewart. They played on that for a couple of years as well as the square up in the back to back GFs. If it had been fostered better and built up more then it could have been a great rivalry. There is a Parra v Manly rivalry as well from back in the day. Ther only reason it's lesser known is because its not marketed properly.

You say there are a lot of hibernating Bears fans out there, but to be fair a lot of them were hibernating well before the club was ousted from the comp in a bloodless coup.

Yes, the Bears keep getting played on TV replays at the Norths Leagues club or on Fox League during the off season and there is nothing else to show, but this doesn't give vindication for them to be brought back. Just because they are played on TV does not mean there are people watching. "Reclamation" can be done by a club absorbing the region at no cost to the NRL. Hell, the Bears are now the feeder for the Roosters anyway. The Roosters are already "Sydney", so that can include the north too. The Roosters could even play games out of NSO while they are without a stadium.

The NRL has moved on from the Bears, it's only the Bears who don't see that. They are collateral from a turbulent time in the rugby league history, and it truly is a shame, but it's highly unlikely the Bears will be back in NSW.

We dissagree . There are plenty of Bears fans in hibernation. Not only are you advocating the code neglect and underservice an area with over 1.7 million people (Gosford to North Sydney ) , you think one team should take the place of two? The population is there. It's a proven past area with rugby league support and an untapped modern ground in Gosford and you continue on with your disrespect and ignorance . Only rugby league loses. Perhaps that's what you want! ?

 

[taipan]

If Toronto and French sides can play in the SL, why can’t the Pirates?

Pirates operate more effectively near Somalia.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I could have shown you more Brisbane v Sydney matches. They all have similar results. But the simple fact is, its not relevant. What is relevant though is that Sydney , with a potential viewing audience of over 4.5million is the most attractive area, to the networks in this country..

True and you would expect that because it is also the highest population area in the country. It would be a worry if that wasn't the case. Not sure what your point is though because Brisbane Broncos is the single biggest drawing club when it comes to TV ratings, memberships and crowds. This discussion started because the claim was that Sydney clubs are the most important thing in the game, this is not true. Some of the bigger Sydney clubs along with the bigger expansion clubs are the most important thing in the game - that is a more accurate statement.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Lol. Got it wrong again! No surprise though!

So as usual, you offer nothing of substance in reply. Please explain exactly how that is wrong...

 

[Perth Red]

We dissagree . There are plenty of Bears fans in hibernation. Not only are you advocating the code neglect and underservice an area with over 1.7 million people (Gosford to North Sydney ) ,

And if you live in that region you have the options of:

Northern part (Gosford)
Knights 90km
Eels 70km
Manly 80km

Southern part (North Sydney)
Eels 32km
Manly 13km
Roosters 8.5km
Souths 22km
Bulldogs 22km
West’s 32km

It’s not like the 1.7million don’t have any nrl club following options! Time to get over this suburban competition nonsense and play with the big boys.

 

[Stallion]

True and you would expect that because it is also the highest population area in the country. It would be a worry if that wasn't the case. Not sure what your point is though because Brisbane Broncos is the single biggest drawing club when it comes to TV ratings, memberships and crowds. This discussion started because the claim was that Sydney clubs are the most important thing in the game, this is not true. Some of the bigger Sydney clubs along with the bigger expansion clubs are the most important thing in the game - that is a more accurate statement.

Every Sydney based clubs plus the ones that have been shafted are way more important to the NRL than you think! You just don't get it! Established widespread and we'll known recognition of these clubs is way more potent than your disrespectful and ignorant appraisal of clubs that have been added on to join the party. You don't get rid of the hosts!

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Heres a question I'm interested to see people's answers to

If a rugby league comp was being set up today, ignoring any history/past, and purely based off of population, demographics and tv/sponsorship $$ where would you put 16 teams? And then where would the next 2 expansions be?

I think I would go

01. North Queensland
02. Brisbane 1
03. Brisbane 2
04. Gold Coast
05. Newcastle
06. CC/North Syd
07. Inner/East Sydney
08. West Sydney
09. South/South-West Sydney
10. Wollongong/South Coast
11. Canberra
12. Melbourne
13. Adelaide
14. Perth
15. Auckland
16. Wellington/South Island

17. Melbourne 2
18. Pacific Islands

NRL Telstra Premiership: The big league! Modern, quality stadia where ever possible, national footprint with solid NZ representation

North QLD Cowboys (new NQ Stadium)
Brisbane Broncos (Suncorp)
Redcliffe Dolphins (Suncorp)
Gold Coast Titans (Robina)
Newcastle Knights (McDonald Jones)
Sydney Roosters (new Allianz)
South Sydney Rabbitohs (WSS)
Conulla Sharks (Shark Park)
Canterbury Bulldogs (WSS)
Parramatta Eels (WSS)
Penrith Panthers (Penrith Stadium)
St George Illawarra Dragons (100% based in Wollongong)
Canberra Raiders (Canberra)
Melbourne Storm (AAMI)
Adelaide Rams (Hindmarsh)
WA Tigers (NIB)
Auckland Warriors (Mt Smart)
Wellington Orcas (Westpac)

NRL IntrustSuper Championship: (Fully professional, tevelvised second division, no direct P&R with Telstra Premiership but all promoted clubs will come through this league). This league will focus on communities, using smaller, traditional suburban grounds and targeting families with friendly kick-off times - the aim is to tap into the nostalgia and vibe of days gone by and cater for a different kind of fan that the Telstra Premiership can't - think Shute Shield's Northern Beaches rivalries)

Cairns Pride
Central QLD Capras
Sunshine Coast Falcons
North Brisbane Devils
East Brisbane Tigers
Logan Magpies
Ipswich Jets
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Tweed Seagulls
Wyong Roos
North Sydney Bears
Manly Sea Eagles
Newtown Jets
PNG Hunters
Fiji Whatevers
Canterbury Bulls (Christchurch, NZ)

 

[Stallion]

And if you live in that region you have the options of:

Northern part (Gosford)
Knights 90km
Eels 70km
Manly 80km

Southern part (North Sydney)
Eels 32km
Manly 13km
Roosters 8.5km
Souths 22km
Bulldogs 22km
West’s 32km

It’s not like the 1.7million don’t have any nrl club following options! Time to get over this suburban competition nonsense and play with the big boys.

Got to understand the geography and travel issues in this region. They are extensive like you would not fathom.The clubs are absolutely necessary fir rugby league's footprint going foward. These clubs are gold on a very hostile and less loyal market place.You dudes just can't work this out! We are trying to inform you but you still don't get it!

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Lol. Ignoramus logic deserves ridicule. Don't like doing so but some people deserve it with their constant ignorance of what matters in this very envied and world renowned competition. All as a result of the rich story of its foundation Sydney clubs.

Ahh no, you've already been shown that the reason the game is recognised throughout the country and the south pacific is because of the Broncos, Storm, Warriors in combination with the larger Sydney clubs (not all Sydney clubs).

I love the game too mate but let's not crap on with the world renowned and envied part - we will hopefully get there one day but statements like that lose your arguments a lot of credibility.

 

[Stallion]

NRL Telstra Premiership: The big league! Modern, quality stadia where ever possible, national footprint with solid NZ representation

North QLD Cowboys (new NQ Stadium)
Brisbane Broncos (Suncorp)
Redcliffe Dolphins (Suncorp)
Gold Coast Titans (Robina)
Newcastle Knights (McDonald Jones)
Sydney Roosters (new Allianz)
South Sydney Rabbitohs (WSS)
Conulla Sharks (Shark Park)
Canterbury Bulldogs (WSS)
Parramatta Eels (WSS)
Penrith Panthers (Penrith Stadium)
St George Illawarra Dragons (100% based in Wollongong)
Canberra Raiders (Canberra)
Melbourne Storm (AAMI)
Adelaide Rams (Hindmarsh)
WA Tigers (NIB)
Auckland Warriors (Mt Smart)
Wellington Orcas (Westpac)

NRL IntrustSuper Championship: (Fully professional, tevelvised second division, no direct P&R with Telstra Premiership but all promoted clubs will come through this league). This league will focus on communities, using smaller, traditional suburban grounds and targeting families with friendly kick-off times - the aim is to tap into the nostalgia and vibe of days gone by and cater for a different kind of fan that the Telstra Premiership can't - think Shute Shield's Northern Beaches rivalries)

Cairns Pride
Central QLD Capras
Sunshine Coast Falcons
North Brisbane Devils
East Brisbane Tigers
Logan Magpies
Ipswich Jets
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Tweed Seagulls
Wyong Roos
North Sydney Bears
Manly Sea Eagles
Newtown Jets
PNG Hunters
Fiji Whatevers
Canterbury Bulls (Christchurch, NZ)

Lol. Promotion and relegation in a country this big!? My word ! Think again!

 

[Stallion]

Ahh no, you've already been shown that the reason the game is recognised throughout the country and the south pacific is because of the Broncos, Storm, Warriors in combination with the larger Sydney clubs (not all Sydney clubs).

I love the game too mate but let's not crap on with the world renowned and envied part - we will hopefully get there one day but statements like that lose your arguments a lot of credibility.

No you don't love this game! Your disrespect emanates from your reckless ideas! But it's a free world. Keep wasting our time!

 

[Perth Red]

Got to understand the geography and travel issues in this region. They are extensive like you would not fathom.The clubs are absolutely necessary fir rugby league's footprint going foward. These clubs are gold on a very hostile and less loyal market place.You dudes just can't work this out! We are trying to inform you but you still don't get it!

There is a stack of options for the 1.7 million you claim will flock to the Gosford bears. Reality is only a fraction, at best 15k-20k, attend games regularly, the rest are distant or half arsed fans watching on tv so could choose any nrl team they want to support. If you’re into rugby league and live in the NS to Gosford corridor you are probably already following an existing nrl club. But yeh you keep pedalling the nonsense that Sydney needs another club whilst other major cities have zero access to a club.

 

[Stallion]

There is a stack of options for the 1.7 million you claim will flock to the Gosford bears. Reality is only a fraction, at best 15k-20k, attend games regularly, the rest are distant or half arsed fans watching on tv so could choose any nrl team they want to support. If you’re into rugby league and live in the NS to Gosford corridor you are probably already following an existing nrl club. But yeh you keep pedalling the nonsense that Sydney needs another club whilst other major cities have zero access to a club.

Todd Greenberg has noted that the "half arsed fans " viewing on tv are not viewing as well! The market of the Central Coast and northern Sydney is still thereally for the picking. It's whether rugby league are smart enough to capture it. Otherwise other codes will eventually as us happening with union in northern Sydney . *(10000 crowds for union in northern Sydney is happening each year).But that's irrelevant isn't it! No concern at all. Just keep minimizing the top flight rugby league presence in this massive region and let things decay away. Great thinking! Apathy sits well for some on this site. This code does not deserve such thinking but it's a free world.

 

[Perth Red]

Yet we have had record tv audiences since the bears demise. Go figure!

Pray do tell how you think other codes will grab the area? Do you really believe super15, afl or Aleague are going to launch a club at north Sydney oval? Lol you do come up with some nonsense.
Like I’ve shown you there are multiple nrl clubs with 80kms of this corridor,there is a plethora of choices for anyone in that area tomsuport a reasonably close existing club. It simply does not need or justify adding another nsw club to an overburdened area when we have at least 4 better options.

 

[MrE_Assassin]

We dissagree . There are plenty of Bears fans in hibernation. Not only are you advocating the code neglect and underservice an area with over 1.7 million people (Gosford to North Sydney ) , you think one team should take the place of two? The population is there. It's a proven past area with rugby league support and an untapped modern ground in Gosford and you continue on with your disrespect and ignorance . Only rugby league loses. Perhaps that's what you want! ?

How does 1 club take the place of 2 when there isn’t a club representing the area in the first place? I’m say that the nearest Sydney NRL club (Manly) expand their influence to include Gosford/Central Coast rather than just live in their Penninsula bubble where they are struggling to survive. That is replacing 0 clubs with 1 that already exists IN THE NRL! Therefore no need to waste an expansion spot on a rebranded defunct club when it can be used in expanding the NATIONAL footprint.

You keep saying there is a 1.7mil population in the Gosford/Northshore area but not all of those people are interested in NRL let alone rugby league as a sport. The Bears certainly didn’t have 1.7mil fans/members and still don’t. Those potential, currently uncommitted fans on the north shore have a club in the area if they want to be NRL supporters. Adding the Bears there isn’t going add much more to the total fan base of the NRL. How many of that 1.7mil population play rugby league? How many of that population actually follow rugby league? How many of that 1.7mil are members of Norths/central coast?

In typical Stallion form from what I’ve seen on the multiple threads you’re part of, you result to childish arguments and calling people “disrespectful” and “ignorant” when they hit you with a hard truth, a fact, or an opinion/idea that actually makes some sense. The only way they NRL and Rugby League as a whole loses is through close-minded people like yourself who would rather sacrifice national expansion in favour of their own one-eyed, ill-informed views of how the game should go backwards.

Stallion? More like My Little Pony!