"Wasting money", "wasting" being the insulting word. It implies that there is no point in investing to grow the game outside its heartland.
At first I thought it was just a brain fart moment in his quest to gain support as he came into the chairman's role by announcing his preference for Brisbane2 expansion. But now he has doubled up on it a few months later with exactly the same phrase. It's pointless stupidity that damages the game for no good reason. Especially with the Vic Govt just investing $10mill in a new centre for VicNRL and WA Govt spending millions on NRL events and SA Govt spending big on Origin for first time.
I agree the wording is a bit of a put off, but remember that's his(an Accountant) abrupt Mediterranean style.But the comparisons with Trump are ludicrous.
Don't know that it damages the game, but it craps those in expansion areas.But geez I've heard Gould make similar comments.And Monsieur Um and Agh talk about only fishing where the fish are.
"Wasting money"" perhaps meaning much more needed in that location, or concentrating money firstly where the new club will not require anywhere near as much, and has the juniors and supporter base on tap in a major heartland city, and the TV ratings which draws advertising income.
One thing for sure, he "ain't " going to waste money .
IMO Brisbane whatever it is called ,has always been the apple of the eye of ch9 execs ,where one(name now escapes me) who has since left ,mentioned it was worth then $20m pa.Maybe as part of a future 2023 onward Nein Tv deal, V'Landys is pushing that barrow.
Bear in mind using the excuse 17 team gives clubs a bye is alright short term, but eventually as it lacks continuity, it's eventually built up to evens .The fumblers did it and I still maintain V'Landys will do it .Surely he would have an idea ,Perth are looking at a 3rd fumbler team down the line, and ignoring an NRL team once this happens the door is shut.
The problem we face is once again having our funds drained by not a SL war, but a bleeding virus, that could have been stopped in its tracks, if we had been warned when it first hit in China.
Hell we are all agreed for years that Brisbane urgently needs a 2nd club, if that brings in a lot more revenue re Tv deals, and I think that's why the NRL got est $1bn over 5 years on Foxtel because of Brisbane 2 coming on line, then extra funds should assist a Perth bid.
Who knows what Nein will do,Skidmarks is all over the shop.I could be wrong but Nein and their team of drone commentators are dragging the FTA ratings down.Not one of them engender any sort of excitement in an exciting game, and quite a number of us havegiven them a flick on occasions or just watch our teams.
The way I see it, looking at his comments his priorities are:-
1) Ensuring all current NRL clubs are financially viable, with none cut.He's into tribalism.
2) Getting a 2nd Brisbane side up and running, block the fumblers.
3)Underpinning the game in heartland areas, at grassroots and middle tier levels.
4)Lobbying Govts for ground infrastructure funding, that will test his mettle.
5)Building up a future fund that can assist Perth, but airline travel costs there were and post COVID-19 are damn expensive.
6) Increase non broadcast income. and clubs need to get off their rings to increase memberships.
That's my Sunday night rant and it's goodnite from me.
