This is a very good post. The only part I disagree with is RU being as dominant as RL. Fumbleball and soccer have made huge inroads in the GPS schools that are the lifeblood for RU. Reds get as few as 10k or less at Lang Park and no one watches them on TV.
I think if the NRL were to add Brisbane 2 and Perth, with Bris 2 getting 18k and Perth getting 12k, then the game would be in a good place.
Any expansion into Brisbane and Perth must be based on the condition that both clubs break even from crowds that they're likely to attract. I'd go as far as to put it in writing that stadium rental is set at a rate that ensures Perth breaks even from 10k and Bris 2 from 15k. If the ARLC can get the QLD and WA Govs to agree to that then both teams will benefit the game. There is potential for the game to grow quite a bit in Perth if a team there is given support.
I like the idea of Bris 2 and, potentially Bris 3 if the maths add up, to be regionally based so they have a point of difference to the Broncos. If they were to have just 2 teams then one based at Nathan in the south-east, provided QEII Stadium is turned into a 35k seat boutique stadium, would produce a genuine rivalry and gives people from both sides of the city a chance to attend games.
The bus way is one lane each way, so at peak hour when people are heading home it can take ages to get from Mater Hill Station to the CBD as there are heaps of buses and lots of commuters.
