18th club, whose next?

[BuffaloRules]

PVL doesn't look bad, he can deflect all the blame on PNG and Aus Government.

I just can't see it happening as soon as 2028.

And if it does, it will be probably the worst team to play at NRL level since the 98 Magpies.

I can’t see it pushed out any further than 2029 though … they would have spent 40 percent of the Govt money by then… I don’t think it’s a great look for the NRL if they can’t deliver the team in the competition when they are spending all the money in the meantime …

Unlike Perth ..I don’t think they will care too much with the initial on field results …they could go with the PNG Hunters team if they had too with a few journeymen… possibly could even base them out of Cairns Year 1 and FIFO if the compound isn’t ready…

 

[Canard]

I can’t see it pushed out any further than 2029 though … they would have spent 40 percent of the Govt money by then… I don’t think it’s a great look for the NRL if they can’t deliver the team in the competition when they are spending all the money in the meantime …

Unlike Perth ..I don’t think they will care too much with the initial on field results …they could go with the PNG Hunters team if they had too with a few journeymen… possibly could even base them out of Cairns Year 1 and FIFO if the compound isn’t ready…

It's a bad look for the game if PNG is losing by 50 every week.

 

[flippikat]

Given Perth makes it an even number, there is no rush for Team 18.

Team 19 you mean?

Yeah, if PNG gets delayed from 2028 to 2030 or later.. then it's possible that we could see it happening alongside another expansion team - meaning we get the "sugar hit" of an extra game to sell to TV as well.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

It's a bad look for the game if PNG is losing by 50 every week.

Home games in PM will be a tough away trip for most of the comp, so should jag a few wins there. But hard to not see them getting tonked when playing in Oz/NZ

 

[T to the T]

Yeah, if PNG gets delayed from 2028 to 2030 or later.. then it's possible that we could see it happening alongside another expansion team - meaning we get the "sugar hit" of an extra game to sell to TV as well.

This. I think it's pretty nailed on there will be 20 teams by 2032 in order to keep the TV/media rights momentum going but also offer flexibility.

I assume up to 2032, we'll still have 24 rounds a season (9 * 24 = 216 regular season games). With 20 teams, you could go down to 22 games a season without reducing the inventory (10 * 22 = 220 regular season games).

Like it or not, we'll see 20 teams, the only question is the location.

 

[flippikat]

This. I think it's pretty nailed on there will be 20 teams by 2032 in order to keep the TV/media rights momentum going but also offer flexibility.

I assume up to 2032, we'll still have 24 rounds a season (9 * 24 = 216 regular season games). With 20 teams, you could go down to 22 games a season without reducing the inventory (10 * 22 = 220 regular season games).

Like it or not, we'll see 20 teams, the only question is the location.

I think the NRL will be relieved (to a degree) that a PNG delay means a delay in HAVING to decide on team 20 - it means they can focus on getting the Dolphins & Bears running well & the logistics of PNG

Then somewhere in the 2028-30 timeframe either choose the team to be team 20 THEN (maybe joining with PNG somewhere between 2030-2032)... or select two OTHER teams (19 and 20) in the unlikely event PNG is scrubbed before launch, to add those two in that 2030-2032 window.

Anyway, a delay in PNG certainly buys the NRL a few years to think about that final team to get to 20.

 

[blue bags]

I think the NRL will be relieved (to a degree) that a PNG delay means a delay in HAVING to decide on team 20 - it means they can focus on getting the Dolphins & Bears running well & the logistics of PNG

Then somewhere in the 2028-30 timeframe either choose the team to be team 20 THEN (maybe joining with PNG somewhere between 2030-2032)... or select two OTHER teams (19 and 20) in the unlikely event PNG is scrubbed before launch, to add those two in that 2030-2032 window.

Anyway, a delay in PNG certainly buys the NRL a few years to think about that final team to get to 20.

Keep pushing for NZ 2
Concentrate on warriors 1st
Unbelievable

 

[flippikat]

Keep pushing for NZ 2
Concentrate on warriors 1st
Unbelievable

What do you mean?

Supporting the Warriors doesn't have to mean opposing the prospect of NZ 2 in Christchurch.

Being a fan in Wellington (well, Hutt Valley technically), having 2 NZ teams will hopefully better the chances of my region getting to host the odd NRL game once again.