"It’s very realistic to say that we’ll have a second team in Brisbane in 2023": V'landys

[RedVee]

Should they become the Illawarra Dragons, based full-time out of Wollongong with all 12 games at Wollongong Stadium?

Yes, once St George move to Brisbane and take the 17th slot.

so… not gonna happen

 

[flippikat]

Clubs have had the begging bowl out every tv deal and have had massive grant increases with no kpi’s or strings attached. And here we are with them wanting to stunt the games growth because the begging bowls are empty again. nrl needs to remind them it’s only a couple of years ago they got a massive grant increase that is now more than $3million a year above the players salaries! They got an extra $1.5mill last year and over $1mill extra so far this year Plus significant govt funds last year from job keeper. Memberships for most clubs are up this year.
but I guess the arlc only have themselves to blame for giving the clubs so much power when they had the chance in 2012 to create a genuinely independent commission to run the game And totally fluffed it.

This is where we really see if V'Landys can make the tough call for the future of the game.

A stagnant competition with the same 16 clubs we've had since 2007 isn't stability - it's going BACKWARDS.

All the existing clubs need to be told the money isn't unconditional & endless.. and if they're still struggling (with the funding the NRL has given them all), then it's on them to reassess and restructure their business model.

 

[Perth Red]

This is where we really see if V'Landys can make the tough call for the future of the game.

A stagnant competition with the same 16 clubs we've had since 2007 isn't stability - it's going BACKWARDS.

All the existing clubs need to be told the money isn't unconditional & endless.. and if they're still struggling (with the funding the NRL has given them all), then it's on them to reassess and restructure their business model.

I get these are exceptional times and clubs may need more support so not being too critical last year and this but lets be honest without covid the clubs would still be crying poor and asking for more rather than using the games money to grow. Vlandys is a lot of mouth and pretty small minded, never a good combination. He’ll happily throw all the games revenue at propping up the small minded suburban attitude of the clubs all in the name of tribalism, he’s said as much. Nothing will change until he’s gone. Sadly our last two leaders, Greenberg/Grant and Vlandys/Abdo have done nothing to use the games new found riches to take the game to where it needs to be for the future.

 

[mongoose]

We’re squabbling about if we can enter 1 new team to the NRL (despite having areas screaming out for a team). Meanwhile the AFLW has now expanded to 18 teams and more than the NRL. The NRL just keeps getting left behind and it’s frustrating.

Im not going to rehash decades old arguments that we’ve all had on here but I agree with the above. The NRL had the ability to be the number 1 sport in Australia and use that as a springboard to push onto the international stage. But we’re always too cautious to expand and constantly left behind. I think the worst part is that somehow despite constantly avoiding expansion we still manage to neglect our heartlands.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The NRL and its stakeholders only care about keeping State of Origin strong, that's their cash cow.

 

[Pippen94]

We’re squabbling about if we can enter 1 new team to the NRL (despite having areas screaming out for a team). Meanwhile the AFLW has now expanded to 18 teams and more than the NRL. The NRL just keeps getting left behind and it’s frustrating.

Im not going to rehash decades old arguments that we’ve all had on here but I agree with the above. The NRL had the ability to be the number 1 sport in Australia and use that as a springboard to push onto the international stage. But we’re always too cautious to expand and constantly left behind. I think the worst part is that somehow despite constantly avoiding expansion we still manage to neglect our heartlands.

Yep, let's do it

 

[flippikat]

I get these are exceptional times and clubs may need more support so not being too critical last year and this but lets be honest without covid the clubs would still be crying poor and asking for more rather than using the games money to grow.

Yep, that's why I said any support money shouldn't "unconditional & endless" - a bit of support for Covid losses isn't endless (so long as the NRL make it clear that ends once the virus is in retreat), and nor should it be unconditional (ie the NRL should be encouraging clubs not to rely so much on pokies/leagues clubs revenue)

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The NRL and its stakeholders only care about keeping State of Origin strong, that's their cash cow.

Which is ironic considering the NSWRFL and Sydney media claimed state of origin was a stupid concept when the QRL pushed the idea. The NSWRFL and Sydney media claimed Queenslanders were insane and stupid for wanting to select players on origin, rather than the competition they played in. They predicted the SOO match in 1980 would be a dud and they would return to the Representatives format in 1981.

Suns up NSWRL's views on expansion.

 

[The Great Dane]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The NRL and its stakeholders only care about keeping State of Origin strong, that's their cash cow.

If that were true they wouldn't be undermining it by investing heavily in talent from NZ and the PI's.

 

[flippikat]

Which is ironic considering the NSWRFL and Sydney media claimed state of origin was a stupid concept when the QRL pushed the idea. The NSWRFL and Sydney media claimed Queenslanders were insane and stupid for wanting to select players on origin, rather than the competition they played in. They predicted the SOO match in 1980 would be a dud and they would return to the Representatives format in 1981.

Suns up NSWRL's views on expansion.

Precisely. Maybe the NRL needs to be put in the hands of Queenslanders.. maybe that'll install a more expansionist mindset?

 

[Perth Red]

If that were true they wouldn't be undermining it by investing heavily in talent from NZ and the PI's.

They aren’t, they give a pittance to nzrl and even less to the pi’s. Most Pi players in nrl aren’t being developed outside of nsw and qnlnd.

 

[The Great Dane]

They aren’t, they give a pittance to nzrl and even less to the pi’s. Most Pi players in nrl aren’t being developed outside of nsw and qnlnd.

Sure, but once they are developed the majority of them are going on to play for NZ, the PI's, et al., and not the Blues or Maroons. Every star player who doesn't participate in SOO makes it just that little bit harder to claim that it's the pinnacle of the sport, and as soon as it's not the pinnacle of the sport it'll become irrelevant.

Just like the influx of players from outside of Vic, SA, WA, and Tas, quickly made the AFL SOO unwieldy and then ultimately irrelevant, the influx of non-Qld and NSW players will eventually do the same to the NRL's. What you'd hope is that the NRL will be able to replace SOO with internationals as their major representative product, where the AFL has failed to replace theirs with culturally relevant representative matches.

 

[mongoose]

If that were true they wouldn't be undermining it by investing heavily in talent from NZ and the PI's.

The NRL wouldn't have any players if they didn't lol

 

[Perth Red]

Two mental giants going at it over expansion lol

In the red corner - Freddy Fittler
ittler was adamant the time was right, and said he was fed up with excuses when there is such a huge opportunity in Queensland especially.

"I'm a fan. I think they should [expand now]. I think there definitely has to be another team in Brisbane," he said on the Sunday Footy Show.
"A lot of people look at some of the clubs that didn't work, but Melbourne worked, we went to Brisbane, that worked, we went to Newcastle, that worked, we went to Canberra, that worked - they were all expansion teams. It's not as though it can't work and I'm with Wayne Bennett that if you get the right structures in place and the right people involved then it can work.

"Regardless [of the timing], I just think why keep putting off the timing? We find ways not to do it when if it's done properly it can be a huge success.

And in the Blue corner - One punch too many to the head Gallen
Gallen was simply not convinced the top rugby league talent pool is there to field another NRL team that can compete for the premiership.

"I don't think there's enough playing talent. You have a look at the discrepancy in games this year. I mean Parramatta are coming fifth or sixth and get 50 points put on them by Manly," the ex-Sharks skipper said.

"I don't think there's enough playing talent in the game to expand and have another team - that's another 35 players you've got to find. It dilutes the current talent that we've got and you look at some of the teams down the bottom of the ladder, I don't see you finding another 30 players from them that can compete with the Melbourne Storm or the Penrith Panthers. I just don't think there's enough talent."

Fittler fed up with anti-expansion 'excuses'

Argues with league legends over NRL bid timing

wwos.nine.com.au

 

[Perth Red]

Despite his time in charge of his fifth NRL side inching towards a close, coaching mastermind Wayne Bennett has stated his desire to officially lead the league's newest expansion franchise.
"I am honestly confident enough that if I got an opportunity to coach that team, and it did happen, that I could put a successful team together pretty quickly with a bit of help from other people," Bennett said.

"The players are out there. The problem is that a lot of coaches aren't getting the best out of what they have got. I don't fear any of that at all. I know who's under-performing and I know that guys aren't getting opportunities.
"The good clubs help players and develop their talent. There are two or three clubs - without actually naming them - who I see do a great job every year with players that other clubs let go and all of a sudden, these guys resurface and play great football.

"I see an expansion team doing that and another factor is that there are about 10 guys who go to England every year to play. It is still pretty good football so if you say there are 10 of those guys you have only got to find another 20 and I don't think that is a challenge at all."
Although many new franchises have faltered across the nationalization of the competition, Bennett continued by pointing out the expansion success stories of the past as a key indicator as to why the league should be pressing on with their plans.

"It would be exciting and it would create a hell of a lot of interest as it did in the past," he said.

"Melbourne has been a great success and the Broncos as an expansion club were a great success, even if they are having a tough time now.
"The other thing that you have got to understand is that the club that is going to be admitted, if there is one, has got to find a $10 million guarantee of cash in the bank to back that bid up.

"That has never been done before with any expansion team so I can't see what the risk is, but I can see the upside."

Bennett wants coaching reins of expansion side

The 71-year-old mastermind has claimed he still has plenty left in his coaching kitbag.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

Two mental giants going at it over expansion lol

In the red corner - Freddy Fittler
ittler was adamant the time was right, and said he was fed up with excuses when there is such a huge opportunity in Queensland especially.

"I'm a fan. I think they should [expand now]. I think there definitely has to be another team in Brisbane," he said on the Sunday Footy Show.
"A lot of people look at some of the clubs that didn't work, but Melbourne worked, we went to Brisbane, that worked, we went to Newcastle, that worked, we went to Canberra, that worked - they were all expansion teams. It's not as though it can't work and I'm with Wayne Bennett that if you get the right structures in place and the right people involved then it can work.

"Regardless [of the timing], I just think why keep putting off the timing? We find ways not to do it when if it's done properly it can be a huge success.

And in the Blue corner - One punch too many to the head Gallen
Gallen was simply not convinced the top rugby league talent pool is there to field another NRL team that can compete for the premiership.

"I don't think there's enough playing talent. You have a look at the discrepancy in games this year. I mean Parramatta are coming fifth or sixth and get 50 points put on them by Manly," the ex-Sharks skipper said.

"I don't think there's enough playing talent in the game to expand and have another team - that's another 35 players you've got to find. It dilutes the current talent that we've got and you look at some of the teams down the bottom of the ladder, I don't see you finding another 30 players from them that can compete with the Melbourne Storm or the Penrith Panthers. I just don't think there's enough talent."

Fittler fed up with anti-expansion 'excuses'

Argues with league legends over NRL bid timing

wwos.nine.com.au

Better boot Cronulla from the competiton if it all comes down to being a premiership contender. It took them 50 years to win one.

 

[MugaB]

Better boot Cronulla from the competiton if it all comes down to being a premiership contender. It took them 50 years to win one.

You are so dumb, first mention of cutting a team and you think Cronulla, when titans and warriors have never won a premiership, total anti sydney bias

 

[Jim Rockford]

Yep, the Three Stooges yelling loudest for expansion only care about cutting Sydney clubs. Adding teams is secondary to their agenda. I can only imagine that each of them had a very unpleasant experience last time they came to Sydney that has mentally scarred them for life.

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

You are so dumb, first mention of cutting a team and you think Cronulla, when titans and warriors have never won a premiership, total anti sydney bias

I think @Get Rid of The Donkeys was applying Paul gallen’s own litmus test of accepting any new expansion team to that of gallen’s own sharks who didn’t compete/win a premiership for 50 years since entering the professional ranks in 1967.

 

[The Great Dane]

The NRL wouldn't have any players if they didn't lol

Not if they stopped neglecting the grassroots and junior development.

I mean if the NRL were smart about it, and put significant resources into grassroots and player development in NSW, Qld, and the ACT, independent of what the clubs and States do, I could see them potentially making the talent pool roughly 50% bigger in a couple generations.

If they put any effort into 'the affiliated states' it'd be even bigger. It'd almost certainly be more profitable for them as well, because Vic, WA, and SA, are bigger, more lucrative (in the entertainment industry), markets than the PI's and their diaspora in Australia and NZ (with the exception of PNG pop wise).

In the end though you'd still end up with the issue of undermining SOO, but that wouldn't be a bad thing. RL outgrowing SOO would be a very good thing for the sport IMO.

This is all academic though, because the NRL doesn't have the money to invest into the grassroots on that sort of scale because they give more money to the NRL clubs than they can afford, and simply don't have the resources left over to invest in significant projects like that.

 

[MugaB]

I think @Get Rid of The Donkeys was applying Paul gallen’s own litmus test of accepting any new expansion team to that of gallen’s own sharks who didn’t compete/win a premiership for 50 years since entering the professional ranks in 1967.

I disagree, his anti sydney bias is the reason he chose sharks over any other team, that im sure of