Overall I am concerned at how RL will grow beyond the 18 team mark
The only real growth after that i to stragicly move towards a 1 Round comp structure (if you do not introduce 2 divisions)
with the following teams all a good chance of being a viable NRL team
- CC Bears
- SW Brisbane
- Central Qld
- Perth
- Adelaide
- Wellington NZ
- N Brisbane
- PNG
So longer term if you choose expansion
24 teams - 23 rounds
Top 12 Super Rounds system
Week 1 - 1v12, 2v11, 3v10, 4v9, 5v8, 6v7 - where a win is worth 2 points (and the bottom 2 are eliminated)
Week 2 - 1v10, 2v9, 3v8, 4v7, 5v6 - again wins worth 2 points (bottom 2 eliminated)
Week 3 - 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5 - again wins worth 2 points (bottom 2 eliminated)
Followed by Top 6 semi final system
Week 4 - 1,2 bye, 3v5, 4v6
Week 5 - 1 v (lowest winner), 2v (highest winner)
Week 6 - Grand Final
The only real growth after that i to stragicly move towards a 1 Round comp structure (if you do not introduce 2 divisions)
with the following teams all a good chance of being a viable NRL team
- CC Bears
- SW Brisbane
- Central Qld
- Perth
- Adelaide
- Wellington NZ
- N Brisbane
- PNG
So longer term if you choose expansion
24 teams - 23 rounds
Top 12 Super Rounds system
Week 1 - 1v12, 2v11, 3v10, 4v9, 5v8, 6v7 - where a win is worth 2 points (and the bottom 2 are eliminated)
Week 2 - 1v10, 2v9, 3v8, 4v7, 5v6 - again wins worth 2 points (bottom 2 eliminated)
Week 3 - 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5 - again wins worth 2 points (bottom 2 eliminated)
Followed by Top 6 semi final system
Week 4 - 1,2 bye, 3v5, 4v6
Week 5 - 1 v (lowest winner), 2v (highest winner)
Week 6 - Grand Final