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Central Coast Bears NRL Bid.

flippikat

First Grade
Messages
5,215
We keep hearing its too far for Sharks and Dragons fans to travel to the SFs so why would they abandon RL and travel to SCG if there was a southern Sydney club on their doorstep in a quality stadium.

The "it's too far to travel" argument particularly irks me. In some of the rationalisation ideas mentioned here, there'd still be a club in the south (one club, servicing Dragons/Sharks territory), clubs in the inner-west (though not as many), a club in the east.. the North Shore/Manly remains a puzzle - and if the Roosters were to take over "north of the bridge" it raises some questions over what those fans get for games.. BUT the ideas are out there - Sydney CAN be covered by less teams than it currently has, with MINIMAL change to where games are played.

It just needs far less overlap.
 

LeagueXIII

First Grade
Messages
5,969
That doesn't specifically answer the question.

Again, can I ask- in your opinion how many clubs can/should our top tier realistically have?

I think in the short term 18-20 Growing to 22-24 with conferences in the long term.

How many you think?
 
Messages
14,822
Its two fold for me, creating license space for a better geographical spread for the game and trying to reduce the cannibilising of limited resources in Sydney so we have bigger more sustainable clubs there long term without having to spend as much of the games money making that happen. Im not convinced RL fans are going to switch to Giants because a club is merged (I dont generally support relocation unless the club is bust and the brand is worth saving). If a generic brand like GWS appeals to sports fans why wouldnt a western sydney RL brand? We keep hearing its too far for Sharks and Dragons fans to travel to the SFs so why would they abandon RL and travel to SCG if there was a southern Sydney club on their doorstep in a quality stadium.
I've never understood the argument about RL dying in Sydney if a club merges or is given the boot. I've heard Sydneysiders say that lifelong Bears fans from northern Sydney are now dyed in the wool Swans fans, travelling to the SCG every fortnight to watch their AwFuL club play.

Is this true or are the people who say it making up shit?

There's nothing stopping young people from this area travelling to the SFS to watch the Roosters play at a ground that's across the road from the SCG. If they are under 25 then they would have never watched the Bears play a game in A Grade. Most kids born as far back as 1992 probably wouldn't remember the Bears, let alone have an emotional attachment to the club.
 

LeagueXIII

First Grade
Messages
5,969
Ok, so when the NRL puts a 2nd team in Brisbane (a given), then a 2nd team in NZ (not a dead cert, but likely given the rhetoric).. what then for Perth & Adelaide?
Perth deserve a team. Adelaide can have a team in the second tier and grow it from there. Play the odd NRL game there and Test.

Our games health should not centre around having a team in Adelaide.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
69,520
I've never understood the argument about RL dying in Sydney if a club merges or is given the boot. I've heard Sydneysiders say that lifelong Bears fans from northern Sydney are now dyed in the wool Swans fans, travelling to the SCG every fortnight to watch their AwFuL club play.

Is this true or are the people who say it making up shit?

There's nothing stopping young people from this area travelling to the SFS to watch the Roosters play at a ground that's across the road from the SCG. If they are under 25 then they would have never watched the Bears play a game in A Grade. Most kids born as far back as 1992 probably wouldn't remember the Bears, let alone have an emotional attachment to the club.

One of those things we just dont know beyond anecdotal, may mate says. Do we have quantitative data on tv audiences in different parts of sydney? Do we have data on jnr numbers and if reduced if its any greater than reduction in other areas? Do we have any data on how many swans members are from NS and joined after 1999? We know Bears had around 12k active fans, we dont know what happened to them or what has happened to young people growing up in NS since Bears merged and then were lost. Its all just hearsay.
 

flippikat

First Grade
Messages
5,215
I think in the short term 18-20 Growing to 22-24 with conferences in the long term.

How many you think?

20, tops. Brisbane, NZ 2, Perth, Adelaide are the key expansions IMO - there's the 20.

For anything else (Brisbane 3, NZ3, Perth 2, Melbourne 2.. or even Central Coast or Central Qld), we'd need to see rationalisation of Sydney, to "balance" the competition better.
 

LeagueXIII

First Grade
Messages
5,969
20, tops. Brisbane, NZ 2, Perth, Adelaide are the key expansions IMO - there's the 20.

For anything else (Brisbane 3, NZ3, Perth 2, Melbourne 2.. or even Central Coast or Central Qld), we'd need to see rationalisation of Sydney, to "balance" the competition better.

Disagree about Sydney. Adelaide is not that important. Melbourne 2 would be 50 Years off if on the radar at all.

What about PNG or Pacific Islands long term?
 

flippikat

First Grade
Messages
5,215
Perth deserve a team. Adelaide can have a team in the second tier and grow it from there. Play the odd NRL game there and Test.

Our games health should not centre around having a team in Adelaide.

Someone here said (and I may be paraphrasing), the only reason people THINK "Adelaide is years, decades away from NRL status" is because so many people keep saying it.. it's the classic case of perception becoming reality.

However, look at how well the Rams did in their 2-year existence. Pretty damn good, considering they existed in the most turbulent era of the game, in the middle of AFL-land.

It's about time we ditched the narrative that "Adelaide is a long way away from getting an NRL team" - it doesn't have to be - and the fact it's one of the biggest cities in Australia means that it SHOULDN'T be a long way from getting an NRL team.
 

LeagueXIII

First Grade
Messages
5,969
How well did they go? what legacy for the game did they leave?

Adelaide is AFL mad and now has two massive clubs different to back then.
 

flippikat

First Grade
Messages
5,215
How well did they go? what legacy for the game did they leave?

Look at the crowds they had in 1997, then tell me they didn't have any promise.

Yes they took a hit in 1998, but the sword was raised to slash them.. and hard to leave a legacy when News Ltd and the ARL (under the combined auspices of the NRL) yanks the carpet put from under you barely 2 years into your existence.
 

flippikat

First Grade
Messages
5,215
What about PNG or Pacific Islands long term?

Something drastic would have to change for that to happen - you have some HUGE infrastructure, security, and financial issues to overcome for those markets to ever hope for a top tier team.

I don't doubt the passion.. but when you have the population spread out, with no big cities, and pretty low disposable income all round, it's hard to see the "critical mass" needed to sustain a top tier team, unless some radical changes (in NRL funding eg a massively differential system of grants, or in demographics, with some pacific mega-city emerging) happen.
 

LeagueXIII

First Grade
Messages
5,969
Something drastic would have to change for that to happen - you have some HUGE infrastructure, security, and financial issues to overcome for those markets to ever hope for a top tier team.

I don't doubt the passion.. but when you have the population spread out, with no big cities, and pretty low disposable income all round, it's hard to see the "critical mass" needed to sustain a top tier team, unless some radical changes (in NRL funding eg a massively differential system of grants, or in demographics, with some pacific mega-city emerging) happen.


Well we can talk about this again in 20 yrs:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
 

Santino Patane

Juniors
Messages
293
If Wests merged with Pirates say goodbye to rl being strong in Sydney fastest growing area.
I have spelt out time and time again why relocation, after Sydney having already rationalised won't work.
The State Govt doesn't have to work on 5-6 Sydney boutique stadium,only Manly,Campbelltown ,and WIN
Win stadium cannot have a stand on the Eastern side as I stated, there is a possibility they may move to another area there.

Sharks are already a force in Sthn Sydney, even allowing for the Dragons playing games at Jubilee.
The area is big enough ,because both traditional clubs Dragons have a big base and Sharks are well entrenched in the Shire and surrounds and own their facilities.

You keep assuming keeping the brand and relocating will solve the problem.The NThn Eagles was a disaster.
Do you realise Gyngell when he was running ch9 stated IHO Brisbane needed a 2nd club(agreed),but was not keen on other non heartland areas.So all this proposition that non heartland areas, will translate into huge TV ratings and revenue ,belies the truth.He said it ,not me.
It's not going to happen ,unless a club fails.

It still doesn't sink in. Losing clubs and joint venturing didn't solve problems, it divides fans and fans are lost to the game.North Sydney is a classic example and they were not in a strong heartland rl area.
Anyone can sit back and say ,we'll put this club here and there.I would only work as a final desperate move to save a sinking club.

The crowds, juniors for joint venture and lost clubs did not dramatically increase in heartland areas, where one would expect it should happen.The money expended to get Melbourne established was a king's ransom and juniors are rare in their team.They were competitive day 1 and had many stars ,that gave them a boost, but they can't get on ch9 main channel in Melbourne.
Losing South Sydney for that period, did untold damage, ask their fans.Them coming back helped TV ratings,merchandisaing,crow.ds


The GC stadium was built ,and can't get close to full, unless the Broncos play.And the area has large numbers of junior s and 600k population, meaning size of area even in heartland can be misleading.
I have no problem with another Brisbane tearlike Gyngell stated.
I do not see another NZ side as being financially practical.

Using that argument ,how many care about rl in non heartland areas interstate and the likely ratings that bring in revenue? If they did the NRL would have had teams on track.
SOO brings in Interstate viewers,NRL games don't .


You do understand that Fitzroy and South Melbourne would not be in the position they are now, without the SL war, which the Broncos,Perth and Nth Qld all interstate clubs, jumped on the bandwagon.
And after 38 years the Swans Tv ratings in Sydney are ordinary, else they'd be on main Ch7 channel.
And when the Lions are down the ladder their crowds drop dramatically.
The Sunburns and Gnats get local ratings about as low as the earthquake Richter scale, after huge amounts poured in.
How much money does the NRL have in its kitty? Answer ATM not bleeding much,thanks to the CCP virus.

Hence the reason Vlad has stated the code needs to get into the Asian and Indian community at grassroots in Sydney.
And you are forgetting these migrants will also be going to others states, such as WA/SA/Vic,so that will make it a lot harder for rl.

So on your theory, removing more Sydney clubs even from heartland areas(and the effect on fans rusted on and casual), in the biggest Tv ratings city for the code, where the population will be watered down by migrant intake(that also includes other states),will somehow strengthen the game in Sydney ,when removal and joint ventures have not had the massive impact expected.
Despite the fact all Sydney clubs being financially able to carry on, and upgraded facilities either being done, being lobbied with Govt ,even the AFL is not that dumb.
And business people(yep even with union backgrounds) that financially help sponsor the clubs, they are not going to do so if their team ,is shafted to the ends of the earth.
The AFL are not going to move clubs now, they admit it's costing a motza to set up in other states, and bear in mind their Tv deals in the future may well be chopped.Then what?

I'd like to know what fully investigated research has been done on the matter by the code, not by us posters making assumptions and putting pins on maps.I'd also like to know the financial issues involved ,especially as we have used up our cash, as the code is hardly at its strongest point.
We are assuming the NRL has not discussed the ratings' effect on having clubs in non heartland areas.They have had people on the ARLC who have been involved with TV negotiations with expertise in non heartland regions.Weiss from memory was one.

I will repeat, those that seem to be pushing for Sydney relocation are non Sydneysiders.I do know the AFL would love further NRL club removals, that makes their efforts to penetrate the market that much easier.Particularly for growing grassroots in a vacuum.
We've screwed up Nthn Sydney so, why not other parts, sounds rational LOL.
It's like going on a patrol, without a forward scout, you'll get rogered.
You lob the insult “you’re not from Sydney” like we’re second rate participants. Guess what, we’re not. We’re actually the future of Rugby League. There is little growth in Sydney in best case situations. If we want our game to realise it’s potential, we need to put as much energy into outside of Sydney as we put in to maintaining the area, if not a lot more. Sydney has had its time lauding over the rest of us- time for something more. Watching the Manly game on the weekend at Brookvale it was embarrassing that this is top flight RL. And no, the answer is not more Stadiums in Sydney, it’s clubs that actually work in in the three good stadiums that will soon populate the area.

Look at the best of the best internationally (NBA, NFL, EPL etc). There are no oversaturated metropolitans there- max 2-3. Now I know we are a long way from those heights (and probably never will get anywhere near there) but where is our aspiration and vision to be bigger than we are??

I’m not even a fan of rationalisation in Sydney anymore (in the short to medium term) nor do I think we should have NRL teams in minor regional areas (think central qld, Christchurch/Wellington etc), but I do want the game to think bigger, be bigger than some shitty 20th Century Metropolitan competition from NSW. I just want the competition to treat all areas equally.
 

MugaB

Coach
Messages
15,006
I think in the short term 18-20 Growing to 22-24 with conferences in the long term.

How many you think?
This works, as a top 8 system for finals, the possibilities are endless, having 9 teams in sydney but 20-24 teams in the comp doesn't looks so bad, as long as all licenses are viable, some say a few clubs aren't currently, but im sure that will turn around, wait to see the 17th licence announced and we will know the criteria for certain for future expansion..

And btw there will never be any more rationalisation, that ended in 2000, and failed they'll never EVER try it ever again, so get used to it
 

MugaB

Coach
Messages
15,006
One of those things we just dont know beyond anecdotal, may mate says. Do we have quantitative data on tv audiences in different parts of sydney? Do we have data on jnr numbers and if reduced if its any greater than reduction in other areas? Do we have any data on how many swans members are from NS and joined after 1999? We know Bears had around 12k active fans, we dont know what happened to them or what has happened to young people growing up in NS since Bears merged and then were lost. Its all just hearsay.
I know of many and i grew up in the area, and you're sitting in Western Australia, pretending it never happened coz it never happened to you, you only had a relatively new team for 3 years, we lost a team that was inaugural from 1908, theres no comparison, but not having a top flight team means no presence, as youve seen with the no pirates in sg ball this year
 
Messages
14,822
You lob the insult “you’re not from Sydney” like we’re second rate participants. Guess what, we’re not. We’re actually the future of Rugby League. There is little growth in Sydney in best case situations. If we want our game to realise it’s potential, we need to put as much energy into outside of Sydney as we put in to maintaining the area, if not a lot more. Sydney has had its time lauding over the rest of us- time for something more. Watching the Manly game on the weekend at Brookvale it was embarrassing that this is top flight RL. And no, the answer is not more Stadiums in Sydney, it’s clubs that actually work in in the three good stadiums that will soon populate the area.

Look at the best of the best internationally (NBA, NFL, EPL etc). There are no oversaturated metropolitans there- max 2-3. Now I know we are a long way from those heights (and probably never will get anywhere near there) but where is our aspiration and vision to be bigger than we are??

I’m not even a fan of rationalisation in Sydney anymore (in the short to medium term) nor do I think we should have NRL teams in minor regional areas (think central qld, Christchurch/Wellington etc), but I do want the game to think bigger, be bigger than some shitty 20th Century Metropolitan competition from NSW. I just want the competition to treat all areas equally.
Whenever I see games played at a ground that has a terrace on the far side of the field, I cannot help but cringe at how lowbrow it makes our game look.

Manly are a basketcase and don't belong in the NRL. Their fanbase is tiny and they draw low TV ratings. Relocating them to NZ would give us a 2nd team in that country and allow Roosters to take over the North Shore and Northern Beaches. Sea Eagles fans cannot complain as the brand will still be around for them to watch on TV every week.
 
Messages
14,822
One of those things we just dont know beyond anecdotal, may mate says. Do we have quantitative data on tv audiences in different parts of sydney? Do we have data on jnr numbers and if reduced if its any greater than reduction in other areas? Do we have any data on how many swans members are from NS and joined after 1999? We know Bears had around 12k active fans, we dont know what happened to them or what has happened to young people growing up in NS since Bears merged and then were lost. Its all just hearsay.
NRL crowds in Sydney have improved since the Bears were turfed and 4 teams were merged into 2. Participation has dwindled because of changing demographics and attitudes now that people are aware of CTE.
 
Messages
14,822
I know of many and i grew up in the area, and you're sitting in Western Australia, pretending it never happened coz it never happened to you, you only had a relatively new team for 3 years, we lost a team that was inaugural from 1908, theres no comparison, but not having a top flight team means no presence, as youve seen with the no pirates in sg ball this year
Mate, this happened to me, so I know a thing or 2 about it. I had a team. Logan Scorpions. They ceased to exist after 2002. Souths took over the area but don't service it. The game has never been stronger in Logan.

Other BRL clubs with more history than Cronulla, Manly, St George and Illawarra have gone into the wind, but still exist in the second division.

If a few Sydney teams are relocated then at least the brand stays alive for their fans to follow.
 

Santino Patane

Juniors
Messages
293
Good post, but I assume you had just taken your estrogen shot before you wrote this last bit.
If you had any idea of how to effectively argue a point with a detractor at a high level, it’s called finishing with a rational redirect at emotions. Sorry if it hurt your mangina!! :wink:
 

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