Hartwood
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Theoretically, if you were in charge of the NSWRL during 1980s, how would you have planned your expansion of the game?
Going back to 1982, the Canberra Raiders, the first expansion side in the NSWRL was founded, along with the VFL's first expansion side, the Sydney Swans.
1981 NSWRFL current teams
Eastern Suburbs
Newtown
South Sydney
Penrith
Manly-Warringah
North Sydney
Parramatta
Canterbury-Bankstown
St George
Western Suburbs
Balmain
Cronulla
Teams that were introduced in 1982
Illawarra
Canberra
Firstly, obviously way too many Sydney sides here, the NRL would eventually solve this issue in the '90s and '00s with half baked 'mergers'.
Using a bit of hindsight, but being reasonable, here's what I would have done:
How 1982 should have been
Eastern Suburbs/Sydney City Roosters
The Roosters would remain as the main eastern suburbs side
South Sydney Rabbitohs
I would have ideally booted Souths, as it seems unnecessary to have two sides based out of Eastern Sydney, however the NRL would eventually try this in 2000 and it didn't go well. Most Souths fans live out west so maybe they could play in parra or blacktown or smthn idk
Parramatta Eels
Second most supported Sydney team in the large region
Macarthur Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies would rebrand as the Macarthur magpies, Wests eventually moved to Campbelltown in 1987 anyway so I'm just making the transition smoother
St George Dragons
Taking in the Southern Sydney region
Illawarra Sharks
Southern Sydney is too small for two teams, NSWRL obviously wanted a team in Illawarra. I would expect this team would evetually merge with St George, just as the Steelers did
Penrith Panthers
North Sydney Bears
Incorporating the entire North Sydney region
Gosford Sea-Eagles
Similar situation as the Illawarra Sharks, probably unsustainable, would probably merge with North Sydney
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Not sure how neccessary Canterbury would be because I don't know much about Sydney geography
Canberra Tigers
Tigers to Canberra
Brisbane Past Brothers Leprechauns
Two Brisbane sides introduced, both Brisbane city BRL teams. Rugby league already has a deep history in Brisbane, so using BRL teams rather than a bid team or relocation means that the team already has a supporter base and a history within the city. Leprechauns is an original name that is rarely used in sport, unlike the generic, American "Broncos"
Fortitude Valley Diehards
Create a rivalry with the 'chauns, another great original name. Would have to change their colours so they don't clash with the next side
Melbourne Jets
If the VFL can get a team in Sydney by 1982, then there can be a professional rugby league side in Melbourne as well. Jets got booted in 1983 anyway, might as well move them to Melbourne. Hipster Suburb team into Hipster city
Future Expansions
In order of priority
Auckland Warriors
Western Reds
NQ Razerbacks
Cowboys is a dumb American name
Adelaide Rams
Gold Coast Dolphins
Titans is also not a great name, atleast it isn't American sounding, Redcliffe can either suck it up or join with GC
NZ2
Equatorial/Tropical/Northern Buffalos
Based out of Darwin playing half their games in PNG
Going back to 1982, the Canberra Raiders, the first expansion side in the NSWRL was founded, along with the VFL's first expansion side, the Sydney Swans.
1981 NSWRFL current teams
Eastern Suburbs
Newtown
South Sydney
Penrith
Manly-Warringah
North Sydney
Parramatta
Canterbury-Bankstown
St George
Western Suburbs
Balmain
Cronulla
Teams that were introduced in 1982
Illawarra
Canberra
Firstly, obviously way too many Sydney sides here, the NRL would eventually solve this issue in the '90s and '00s with half baked 'mergers'.
Using a bit of hindsight, but being reasonable, here's what I would have done:
How 1982 should have been
Eastern Suburbs/Sydney City Roosters
The Roosters would remain as the main eastern suburbs side
South Sydney Rabbitohs
I would have ideally booted Souths, as it seems unnecessary to have two sides based out of Eastern Sydney, however the NRL would eventually try this in 2000 and it didn't go well. Most Souths fans live out west so maybe they could play in parra or blacktown or smthn idk
Parramatta Eels
Second most supported Sydney team in the large region
Macarthur Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies would rebrand as the Macarthur magpies, Wests eventually moved to Campbelltown in 1987 anyway so I'm just making the transition smoother
St George Dragons
Taking in the Southern Sydney region
Illawarra Sharks
Southern Sydney is too small for two teams, NSWRL obviously wanted a team in Illawarra. I would expect this team would evetually merge with St George, just as the Steelers did
Penrith Panthers
North Sydney Bears
Incorporating the entire North Sydney region
Gosford Sea-Eagles
Similar situation as the Illawarra Sharks, probably unsustainable, would probably merge with North Sydney
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Not sure how neccessary Canterbury would be because I don't know much about Sydney geography
Canberra Tigers
Tigers to Canberra
Brisbane Past Brothers Leprechauns
Two Brisbane sides introduced, both Brisbane city BRL teams. Rugby league already has a deep history in Brisbane, so using BRL teams rather than a bid team or relocation means that the team already has a supporter base and a history within the city. Leprechauns is an original name that is rarely used in sport, unlike the generic, American "Broncos"
Fortitude Valley Diehards
Create a rivalry with the 'chauns, another great original name. Would have to change their colours so they don't clash with the next side
Melbourne Jets
If the VFL can get a team in Sydney by 1982, then there can be a professional rugby league side in Melbourne as well. Jets got booted in 1983 anyway, might as well move them to Melbourne. Hipster Suburb team into Hipster city
Future Expansions
In order of priority
Auckland Warriors
Western Reds
NQ Razerbacks
Cowboys is a dumb American name
Adelaide Rams
Gold Coast Dolphins
Titans is also not a great name, atleast it isn't American sounding, Redcliffe can either suck it up or join with GC
NZ2
Equatorial/Tropical/Northern Buffalos
Based out of Darwin playing half their games in PNG