With or without this "restructure" more and more clubs are moving towwards outsourcing their PL team. We can hardly call this new. We started it in 2000 with the Warriors. That's why the term "restructure" is a NSWRL wank to make them look like they're doing something. It's merely slapping a new name and a new trophy on what is a continuation of something that has happened for 8 years.
Of course, this outsourcing will be accelerated next year because of the National Under 20s which will replace the Jersey Flegg. Whereas previously, Jersey Flegg Clubs stuck mainly to Sydney and surrounds, the Under 20s squads of NSW based NRL clubs will have to double their away trips by flying two squads instead of one. This could increase club costs by close to $150k and they need to offset that somehow. (They don't have to offset it - I'm sure all NRL clubs can afford it. They just choose not). This is why clubs are looking to outsource PL next year.
As a club that has benefitted from outsourcing PL teams, we at Newtown cannot be too critical. We cannot exactly say "it's all right when we benefit but not all right when we lose out." Not all clubs will be outsourcing and hopefully there are enough of the "old school" club brands around for us to have a lot of good home games. Newtown, Norths, Balmain and Wests. Maybe Penrith, Cronulla and Manly. Who knows? Not all JBC clubs have the skills, finances, resources and ability to handle full time professional players. If NRL clubs link up with some of these dodgy clubs, they'll be worse off.
It looks set that Canberra will strengthen their existing relationship with Souths Logan. This means QLD Cup. Souths Logan will not play in PL. A lot of other NRL clubs are in talks. We'll find out as the season progresses (and knowing the NSWRL, we'll still be finding out in January).
In saying that, the Jets recognise that there will be a challenge in the coming years. it is easier to market, "Newtown v Parramatta" than it is to market "Newtown v Cabramatta". Let's face it, these JBC clubs have a very small following and the care factor of the average RL fans diminishes.
Even with away games, it is true that there are challenges for the competition. I watch Qld Cup on TV and I've seen all of the JBC grounds. A lot of the standards are terrible. Couple this with the small following of the clubs and it is no wonder people do not show up to these games. It will not reflect favourably on the NSWRL that their "flagship" competition will be played at some of these holes.
Newtown have shown that with good promotion, you can make the old Sydney rivalries something people value. It's my opinion that if the NSWRL got off their arse and tried promoting PL, that NRL clubs would be more reluctant to find feeder club relationships. If PL was on ABC TV Statewide and on ABC2 Nationwide, a few NRL clubs would maintain a presence in PL because of the increased brand exposure. For the Bulldogs, better that they see their jersey with "Mitsubishi Electric" going around than seeing a Sydney Bulls shirt.
