Phil Gould's blunt answer on his podcast when asked if it should be Perth, PNG or a second NZ team next in the NRL:
"Brisbane"
When quizzed on the options presented in the original question he made these comments:
NZ - "eventually, but not yet. They aren't ready for one yet"
Perth - "perhaps, they'd be the third option for me"
PNG - "under serious consideration because the Governments are involved"
podcasts.google.com
What he said makes sense.
Brisbane is the
only location that is guaranteed to generate strong revenue from football operations; increase the value of the broadcast deal; increase the size of the talent pool, and; inflate the NRL attendance beyond 20k (one of Dave Smith's goals).
What we've got on here is a bunch of "progressives" who want us to quash meritocracy and push diversity for selfish reasons.
Affirmative action never works out well. Especially when it relies on socialism to survive. It causes mediocrity by punishing the strong and promoting the weak.
Brisbane has earnt the right to have three teams by virtue of having a massive rugby league community that wants more content in a city that is light years ahead of Perth, New Zealand and PNG in terms of global relevance.
I'd have NZ2 and Perth in the NRL as the 19th and 20th teams, but only if they could meet the criteria needed for entry. In Perth's case it would require a written contract from the WA Gov guaranteeing an upgrade to Perth Oval; a high performance training facility; better funding for local clubs, and; funding for RL programs across secondary schools.
NZ2 needs to settle on a fixed location before it can be taken seriously. No city is able to resent a compelling case for why it should be the base for the next team. Wellington is doomed by the restriction on night games it can host. The South Island is doomed by its sparse population and lack of commercial opportunities. Auckland isn't ready for a second team.
I'd go with Brisbane Tigers for.the 18th licence then wait 10 or so years until Perth and NZ2 are ready before including them.
This PNG bid is just plain dumb and will backfire on the ARLC if it is stupid enough to take Albo's $200m. We've got the PNG Gov crying out for Australia to step in and quell the tribal violence that is marring the country. Albo won't do anything on this issue -- the previous video I posted explained why -- but he willing to give them $200m over 10 years for a team that will do nothing for the average Papuan.