Front-Rower said:
Because in RL you don't have travel to Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney every second week. Most rubgy league teams travel by BUS.
Most Certainly not. Ground Rental is the big issue, that's why Whitten Oval is getting an upgrade, so the Dogs can play in a smaller venue. Melbourne Clubs only travel by air 4-5 times a year at most, about as many times as a financially troubled Manly had to (Brisbane, Townsville, Melbourne, Auckland)
Because the NATIONAL soccer leage was poorly managed. With teams being thrown into every city and the only ones to succeed where the Perth Glory because they had the guts to PROMOTE their own team. Not like Melbourne Storm.
Perth Glory draw a smaller crowd than Melbourne, Travel More, have no TV money and are still a success. their turnover would be lucky to be on a par with Melbournes WITHOUT the NRL club grant or Unky Rupey's money. Certainly runs counter to the 'travel' argument you've presented. Unless of course they are winning NSL's driving across the Nullabor (And in the Football Kingz case...across, perhaps even under the ditch!) in a coach every second weekend :lol: . Just goes to show who succesful fiscally tightfisted management can be and should be an argument FOR a Perth Team (The Glory draw about 8000 after half a decade of...Glory! The Reds Drew about 7000 during seasons of woe and failure)
Going back on the not enough talent issue how demoralising would it be for a team of up and comers to play for say Perth or Adelaide to get belted every week by teams such as the roosters or bulldogs.
Thats why 14 or 16 teams is PLENTY to have an elite competition with players who are really of 1st Grade standard.
Super League had the right idea when you really think about it, but the thing that was bad about their SUPER Idea was the fact they threw tonnes of money around and tried to kill off the tradition in the game.
Why? Is there a natural limit on the number of first graders a system can produce? 20 teams, if the NRL so desired is quite sustainable. RL isn't as demographically handicapped as the AFL, as evidenced by the large numbers of Islanders playing the sport.
The Brisbane and Sydney AFL clubs weren't composed of local kids either. Still aren't for the most part.
Super League didn't have the Right idea. At the core of its ideal was the assassination of tradition.