NRL Expansion. Ideas and opinions.

[TheRam]

A few things..

1 - They will never construct a purpose-built rectangular stadium of in / next to the cbd for a new team. And it wouldn’t make economic sense to build. Better spending far less on upgrading the existing facility if anything.

2 - Coopers Stadium is indeed convenient to get to. This isn’t Sydney with its coronary traffic and lack of parking / rail transport to the doorstep of Moore Park. It’s easy to drive to, and convenient to public transport (mind you most people drive here).

You can be anywhere within 30 minutes of each other... the city, the sea, the hills, there’s even vineyards less than 20 minutes from the CBD at Magill (Penfolds Wines!) It’s ridiculously easy to get around by comparison.

3 - It’s next to North Adelaide with loads of pubs bars and restaurants. So no buzzkill like Homebush or a trudge from the SCG if you want to have drink or meal after/before a game.

All that said, and aside from the basics of business structure, marketing, competitive team etc... I believe the real key to success - and an advantage of Coopers Stadium - is getting new / passive fans as close to the action as possible. They don’t get that with gargantuan AFL grounds. Adelaide oval is just across the river from the CBD and an awesome stadium but won’t get the fans up close, and realistically more than half the seats would be empty...

Get the crowd up close and personal to the play, the hits, the speed etc.. that can win people over.

Well at the very least it needs to be a quality stadium with minimum specs being like Parra Stadium. If any team were to play out of that crappy hole at the moment, the buzz and thrill would be lost very quickly. We need Sepo style big buzz and hype for these types of outpost teams that are competing with the gargantuan air smothering AFL. This is not 1995 anymore. That ship has sailed.

People who are into AFL and used to quality arenas, with massive crowds and atmosphere, will not get a thrill out of sitting in a hovel park like ground that is half full and weak atmosphere, while they try to get their heads around a sport that they don't understand to well or means very little to them at this point.

Like I said, we need to come prepared with all the big bazookas we can muster. The stadium appeal and its location is paramount to getting the very first step right. If we get that wrong, it sets the tone of what will follow for the next decade or two. Again this is not rocket science, this is call knowing your customer, great marketing and preparation.

The last thing we want is to look second rate and playing out of any shith#le. It will just cement that second rate look and feel for our code in the non traditional RL States. We need to look big, professional, and powerful. A quality stadium puts your team in a tux so to speak, not barefoot, unwashed and pushing a trolley down the street while muttering to yourself. We all try to avoid those types don't we?

You say we would never get a Parra style purpose built stadium in SA. Well then we don't go there. What's the point? You are just downgrading your product to just except anything less in the 21 century. This is where the best minds and negotiators for the ARLC should come in and keep working hard till they get the stadium that befits an NRL team. It should not be negotiable.

Same goes with Perth. I don't see the point in going to these states and then struggling every week to get more then 10-12K because that is what will happen after the first few games at best. When those teams are struggling on the field even less. At least if the State Gov's get behind and fund a new stadium, then it is in their interest for the team that plays there to be successful, so then they will be more receptive to any other help we may need to promote the crap out of it. Which shouldn't be that hard to do in a city of 1.5m and only 1 or 2 other teams that they support. Especially if they are playing on the weekends that no other AFL team is playing in that city.

But again the Stadium and its location is the lure. We can't take expansion to these Two States in particular lightly. They will need all the support and right decisions/planing possible. The markets that they will be fishing in are fat and bloated on all things AFL, it will make it very hard to get them to even take a nibble on a RL lure so to speak. So that lure needs to be the most shiniest, dancing-est and attractive in that vast AFL sea.

 

[MugaB]

At least we didn't go ,cap in hand, to Murdoch .

Not sure if thats a bad thing, i enjoyed super league, meant we never had to play the roosters or manly, both rich clubs that never needed/wanted to leave the ARL.

 

[Perth Red]

Well at the very least it needs to be a quality stadium with minimum specs being like Parra Stadium. If any team were to play out of that crappy hole at the moment, the buzz and thrill would be lost very quickly. We need Sepo style big buzz and hype for these types of outpost teams that are competing with the gargantuan air smothering AFL. This is not 1995 anymore. That ship has sailed.

People who are into AFL and used to quality arenas, with massive crowds and atmosphere, will not get a thrill out of sitting in a hovel park like ground that is half full and weak atmosphere, while they try to get their heads around a sport that they don't understand to well or means very little to them at this point.

Like I said, we need to come prepared with all the big bazookas we can muster. The stadium appeal and its location is paramount to getting the very first step right. If we get that wrong, it sets the tone of what will follow for the next decade or two. Again this is not rocket science, this is call knowing your customer, great marketing and preparation.

The last thing we want is to look second rate and playing out of any shith#le. It will just cement that second rate look and feel for our code in the non traditional RL States. We need to look big, professional, and powerful. A quality stadium puts your team in a tux so to speak, not barefoot, unwashed and pushing a trolley down the street while muttering to yourself. We all try to avoid those types don't we?

You say we would never get a Parra style purpose built stadium in SA. Well then we don't go there. What's the point? You are just downgrading your product to just except anything less in the 21 century. This is where the best minds and negotiators for the ARLC should come in and keep working hard till they get the stadium that befits an NRL team. It should not be negotiable.

Same goes with Perth. I don't see the point in going to these states and then struggling every week to get more then 10-12K because that is what will happen after the first few games at best. When those teams are struggling on the field even less. At least if the State Gov's get behind and fund a new stadium, then it is in their interest for the team that plays there to be successful, so then they will be more receptive to any other help we may need to promote the crap out of it. Which shouldn't be that hard to do in a city of 1.5m and only 1 or 2 other teams that they support. Especially if they are playing on the weekends that no other AFL team is playing in that city.

But again the Stadium and its location is the lure. We can't take expansion to these Two States in particular lightly. They will need all the support and right decisions/planing possible. The markets that they will be fishing in are fat and bloated on all things AFL, it will make it very hard to get them to even take a nibble on a RL lure so to speak. So that lure needs to be the most shiniest, dancing-est and attractive in that vast AFL sea.

as GC showed a shiny stadium means little. A well run well financed club is far more important. Perth’s stadium will be spot on if they sort the west stand out and get it to around 27k. After spending $125mill on it the WA govt isn’t going to spend a further $300-400mill building a new one.

 

[TheRam]

as GC showed a shiny stadium means little. A well run well financed club is far more important. Perth’s stadium will be spot on if they sort the west stand out and get it to around 27k. After spending $125mill on it the WA govt isn’t going to spend a further $300-400mill building a new one.

No as I said, location is just as important as the stadium itself. GC stadium is in Suxpool. Shit location. Add to that a shit team and you get what a WA or SA team would get if presented with the same circumstances.

Location, location, location. Then fix up the digs. Number one rule in real estate and in Stadium location.

 

[T-Boon]

I don't understand why we are taking a state of origin game to Adelaide when they would be behind even Perth as a possible expansion option. Unless Adelaide has paid a fortune for it.

 

[MugaB]

I don't understand why we are taking a state of origin game to Adelaide when they would be behind even Perth as a possible expansion option. Unless Adelaide has paid a fortune for it.

They probably have, i reckon keep doing it, every few years if they really want a team there in WA/SA, after QLD teams are expand on. Then we can see which state wants the next one, it won't be for another decade from now tho

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

I don't understand why we are taking a state of origin game to Adelaide when they would be behind even Perth as a possible expansion option. Unless Adelaide has paid a fortune for it.

There are lobbyists for these games, State Govts/Stadium Managers etc. For the State, it's massive Tourism $$ in winter months - which are usually the downturn months for tourism in the southern states. And while it's just a theory, i also think for the likes of Telstra (and possibly Pay TV), there could be an angle to gain more subscribers watching league in new markets. This in turn gives the NRL stronger bargaining power for future sponsorship deals.

There's not been much advertising here for the origin but the Adelaide Oval it has been promoted fairly heavily at the ground.

 

[Perth Red]

I don't understand why we are taking a state of origin game to Adelaide when they would be behind even Perth as a possible expansion option. Unless Adelaide has paid a fortune for it.

$$$$’s
These games have nothing to do with any sustained plan for growing the game, they are just a cash grab to make the nrl’s bottom line look better,

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

EDIT

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Well at the very least it needs to be a quality stadium with minimum specs being like Parra Stadium. If any team were to play out of that crappy hole at the moment, the buzz and thrill would be lost very quickly. We need Sepo style big buzz and hype for these types of outpost teams that are competing with the gargantuan air smothering AFL. This is not 1995 anymore. That ship has sailed.

People who are into AFL and used to quality arenas, with massive crowds and atmosphere, will not get a thrill out of sitting in a hovel park like ground that is half full and weak atmosphere, while they try to get their heads around a sport that they don't understand to well or means very little to them at this point.

Like I said, we need to come prepared with all the big bazookas we can muster. The stadium appeal and its location is paramount to getting the very first step right. If we get that wrong, it sets the tone of what will follow for the next decade or two. Again this is not rocket science, this is call knowing your customer, great marketing and preparation.

The last thing we want is to look second rate and playing out of any shith#le. It will just cement that second rate look and feel for our code in the non traditional RL States. We need to look big, professional, and powerful. A quality stadium puts your team in a tux so to speak, not barefoot, unwashed and pushing a trolley down the street while muttering to yourself. We all try to avoid those types don't we?

You say we would never get a Parra style purpose built stadium in SA. Well then we don't go there. What's the point? You are just downgrading your product to just except anything less in the 21 century. This is where the best minds and negotiators for the ARLC should come in and keep working hard till they get the stadium that befits an NRL team. It should not be negotiable.

Same goes with Perth. I don't see the point in going to these states and then struggling every week to get more then 10-12K because that is what will happen after the first few games at best. When those teams are struggling on the field even less. At least if the State Gov's get behind and fund a new stadium, then it is in their interest for the team that plays there to be successful, so then they will be more receptive to any other help we may need to promote the crap out of it. Which shouldn't be that hard to do in a city of 1.5m and only 1 or 2 other teams that they support. Especially if they are playing on the weekends that no other AFL team is playing in that city.

But again the Stadium and its location is the lure. We can't take expansion to these Two States in particular lightly. They will need all the support and right decisions/planing possible. The markets that they will be fishing in are fat and bloated on all things AFL, it will make it very hard to get them to even take a nibble on a RL lure so to speak. So that lure needs to be the most shiniest, dancing-est and attractive in that vast AFL sea.

Hmmm. Let's see if we can add some perspective here. I'm not advocating Adelaide must come back into the comp (as much as I'd like them to), but how it would best work if they did. I hope it does happen one day as I now (having moved here) genuinely believe it could be a success if managed right.

It can be wise to see what has worked and what has failed in the past. So let's have a brief look.

1 - History of expansion teams and grounds.

Since 1982, There have been a total of 14 teams enter the NSWRL/ARL/SL/NRL competitions.

Of these 14 teams;

• Only ONE team has entered the competition with a brand new stadium (Titans)
• 4 have subsequently moved to Brand new stadiums. Broncos, Storm, Eels and Cowboys. All bar the Cowboys have other professional sporting teams that use the facility as a home ground (or at least i'm not aware of any other teams that will use it)
• The cost of brand new stadiums has ranged from $160M (Robina Stadium, Titans, and over 13 years ago) to $360M (Bankwest Stadium).
• 6 of the 14 teams no longer are part of the competition (excluding the Steelers who became a JV with the Dragons). This includes the Adelaide Rams who were admitted in 1997 and axed in 1998.

So.. lets look hypothetically at an Adelaide bid to get back in the NRL.

if Adelaide were coming back, when there are two existing facilities available to choose from (Adelaide Oval and Coopers Stadium) why on earth would straight up anyone spend a minimum $360M on a brand new stadium to house them in/near the CBD (with added extra costs of land acquisition that would be necessary) to re-enter a competition where the governing body left them to rot and unmercifully axed them previously before they had a real chance?

Well amongst many things, because smartly they wouldn't take the risk of the NRL pulling the pin again and them being stuck with the White Elephant to crush all other White Elephants. They;d be left with Adelaide City FC to help them pay the bill.

For mine... of course a new stadium would be wonderful to have and in the modern era we should have ambitions to have the best stadiums possible for the NRL and encourage fans off the lounge and consistently to games. But in Adelaide that would be committing economic and political suicide - and no fool could be stupid enough to do it. Perhaps a bloke like Alan Bond would plonk that much loot on a new stadium upfront for a team in a city with next to no professional Rugby League pedigree. And he's long since passed. The Government in power who'd do this would be voted out at ruthlessly as the Rams were in 1998.

In my opinion the far smarter option is start at Coopers Stadium, who they would share with Adelaide City FC, and potentially redevelop/upgrade if necessary (Roofing on the eastern stand would be the most apparent). Build up a strong core following and membership base, then if it's feasible and both clubs prove sustainability over a long time there could be a case for a brand New Stadium in the future (as has been the case for others).

Full list below of expansion clubs and home ground history.

Notes.
(JV) - Subsequent Joint-Venture club.
(NLE) - No longer exist in NRL.
(R) - Ground undergone major redevelopment.

1982

Illawarra Steelers (JV).
Wollongong Showground. Existing Facility (R).

Canberra Raiders.
Seiffert Oval. Existing Facility (R).
Moved to Bruce Stadium (R) in 1990.

1988

Brisbane Broncos.
Lang Park. Existing Facility.
Moved to ANZ Stadium (QE2) 1993-2003. Existing Facility.
Moved to Suncorp Stadium 2004. New Stadium. Cost $280M.

Newcastle Knights.
International Sports Centre. Existing Facility (R).

Gold Coast Giants > Seagulls (NLE).
Seagulls Stadium. Existing Facility

1995

North Queensland Cowboys.
Stockland Stadium. Existing Facility (R)
Moving to Queensland Country Bank Stadium 2020. Cost $293M

Western Reds (NLE)
WACA. Existing Facility

Auckland Warriors
Ericsson (Mt Smart) Stadium. Existing Facility

South Queensland Crushers (NLE).
Lang Park. Existing Facility

1996

Gold Coast Chargers (NLE).
Carrara Stadium. Existing Facility.

1997

Adelaide Rams (NLE)
Adelaide Oval. Existing Facility.
Moved to Hindmarsh Stadium (Now Coopers Stadium) in 1997.

Hunter Mariners (NLE)
Topper Stadium. Existing Facility.

1998.

Melbourne Storm
Olympic Park. Existing Facility.
Moved to Docklands Stadium 2001/2 - returned to Olympic Park 2003.
Moved to AAMI Park 2010. Cost $260M.

2007.

Gold Coast Titans.
Robina Stadium. New Facility. Cost $160M.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

2 - Opinions for/against expansion to Adelaide and a new stadium.

I don't know much about Adelaide

So how have you reached your conclusion on what Coopers Stadium is like?

Well at the very least it needs to be a quality stadium with minimum specs being like Parra Stadium.

Why?

Bankwest Stadium came at a huge price - $360M. This cost can be justified largely by the multiple sporting teams who use it as their home ground. The Eels and the Wanderers have large membership and supporter bases, and are very well established sporting teams in the area who will bring large, multiple revenue streams. To a lesser extent, teams such as the Tigers, Bulldogs and Rabbitohs will also play some games out of Bankwest in the future.

For a new Adelaide RL team with little Professional history, with only one other professional team to bring in revenue (Adelaide City FC), and competing with the Adelaide Oval for concert revenue (which the AO is awesome for)...... It would be the absolute gamble of the century. If you can exhume Alan Bond and get him back to life, you may have a chance of him shoving his millions into it. No one else is that daft.

A rough calculation I did is that even if a new stadium in adelaide averaged what Parra did last year at Benkwest (22,018), Adelaide would need an average ticket price of almost $70 per seat to pay off the stadium in 20 years - And that's just cost, not any profit at all.

By comparison, the most expensive seats at Bankwest (Platinum) for this season are indeed $70. Most are between $10 and $55 per seat.

If any team were to play out of that crappy hole at the moment, the buzz and thrill would be lost very quickly. We need Sepo style big buzz and hype for these types of outpost teams that are competing with the gargantuan air smothering AFL. This is not 1995 anymore. That ship has sailed.

I thought you didn't know much about Adelaide?

Maybe in your research you could see what people who actually go to the ground think. Not being familiar with Adelaide, you could look at Google reviews, which show an average rating of 4.5 stars and overwhelmingly positive comments, all-be-it with some areas of concern. But "Crappy Hole" wasn't mentioned once....My experience was it was a great facility place to watch a game with top atmosphere being so close to the field (it's like suburban sydney grounds but where it's all seated without a bad seat in the house, right on top of the action). Most others think similarly..

Think I'll trust myself and the folks who've been there rather than those who haven't.

Here's an example below, the most recent review on line. And what Eagle Blue says is what I've said the NRL can capitalise on to get fans to the game, and regularly.. without building a $360M black-hole up front.




Eagle Blue

11 reviews · 3 photos

2 weeks ago

Outstanding atmosphere.. The seating layout makes you feel like your standing on the sidelines.. However there is no shelter for rain or the blistering sun unless your in the members stand.. Apart from that it's well worth the visit.

People who are into AFL and used to quality arenas, with massive crowds and atmosphere, will not get a thrill out of sitting in a hovel park like ground that is half full and weak atmosphere, while they try to get their heads around a sport that they don't understand to well or means very little to them at this point.

See Above - Eagle Blue (with a Crows Avatar) who has actually been to the ground thinks completely the opposite. Although in winter the blistering sun wouldn't be an issue. Have you been to Coopers Stadium?

If so, i'd be interested in your experience. Those who have haven't used the term "hovel" from what i've read apart from you.

Like I said, we need to come prepared with all the big bazookas we can muster. The stadium appeal and its location is paramount to getting the very first step right. If we get that wrong, it sets the tone of what will follow for the next decade or two. Again this is not rocket science, this is call knowing your customer, great marketing and preparation.

The last thing we want is to look second rate and playing out of any shith#le. It will just cement that second rate look and feel for our code in the non traditional RL States. We need to look big, professional, and powerful. A quality stadium puts your team in a tux so to speak, not barefoot, unwashed and pushing a trolley down the street while muttering to yourself. We all try to avoid those types don't we?

So who's gonna pay for those big bazookas?

You better track down Bondy...

Melbourne played out of Olympic Park for years and they did ok enough.. And when they were established, competitive with strong crowds sustained over a long period of time, it proved to investors it was good economic sense to construct a Brand New Stadium.. in combination with teams from the A-League similarly. Although I don't know how the current ROI is on AAMI Park.

And while I never went to Olympic Park, Coopers hasn't got a running track. It's a purpose built rectangular stadium close to the field and no bad seats.

As for homeless people struggling on the streets, firstly I don't avoid them at all. It's easy to just ignore them and pretend they don't exist, but they do exist and at the core they are people like me or you. A few coins, bit of food and a little conversation can mean the world to them.. But the easy option is to try and avoid them like you say..... but that's another story. As for your reference in the first place... very questionable.

You say we would never get a Parra style purpose built stadium in SA. Well then we don't go there. What's the point? You are just downgrading your product to just except anything less in the 21 century. This is where the best minds and negotiators for the ARLC should come in and keep working hard till they get the stadium that befits an NRL team. It should not be negotiable.

"Accept".... not "except"...
"21st".... not "21"..
"Bankwest Stadium" not "Parra Stadium".

As for a Bankwest Stadium being built here, Not initially no. Unless Adelaide could prove ROI by building it at that enormous cost, it will never happen. And definitely not smack/bang in the CBD or next to it. And for reasons I've suggested earlier I believe it doesn't need to be there. I've learnt a lot since moving here.

Why go to Adelaide?

Well 1997 they had a crack - averaged 15,330 at their home games. In a state with no RL history, in their first year, that was the 5th highest crowd average across both competitions. Since then times have indeed changed. More expats have moved here and i have had numerous chats with all kinds of folk from back east who are rabid league fans. And loads of locals say they'll always watch Origin but it's the only game they'd see all year.

Yeah - it's all a bit too hard isn't it. Maybe it's easier to rename the NRL the AEST+NZRL.. it's only a few more letters in the title..

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Continued..

Same goes with Perth. I don't see the point in going to these states and then struggling every week to get more then 10-12K because that is what will happen after the first few games at best. When those teams are struggling on the field even less. At least if the State Gov's get behind and fund a new stadium, then it is in their interest for the team that plays there to be successful, so then they will be more receptive to any other help we may need to promote the crap out of it.

Huh?

So building Brand new stadiums in (so called "Non-RL) states that struggle to get 10-12k is the solution?

I do get you think a big shiny "Parra" stadium is the solution to get big crowds.And I think it would be awesome, but as long as i'm not paying for it. Someone else would have to pay for it, and without any reasonable return-on-investment (ROI) then it'll always remain a pipe-dream.

I do agree any expansion team needs to have higher average crowds than this, otherwise (again) they'll be financially crippled.

And how exactly does a State Government safeguard against a team that might struggle on the field...Yes it would be in their interests to have a successful team. But sport doesn't work that way. Someone always has to finish last.

Has it worked for the Titans? The one club that went all in on a new stadium straight up? Indeed when they were competitive (sadly not for a while now) they had great crowds. And I do believe the new stadium had a lot to do with that also. But since their struggles it's been a sea of blue seats.

Perth has a major disadvantage because of the travel costs, which was a major factor in them exiting the NRL. They were actually drawing decent crowds at the WACA but were vastly in the red (no pun intended). If there's a deal which can overcome the travel hurdle, they would be in a strong position to re-enter.

I've not been to NIB stadium but I wouldn't bag it unless i'd been there and felt it wasn't good enough for NRL standard. I'd much rather listen to the opinions of folks like Perth Red etc who know the landscape far better than I. But I'd love to see the Reds back one day. Hopefully they can make it viable.

But again the Stadium and its location is the lure.

I agree. Bad stadium and/or location and there's no point - especially in a Non-RL state. But according to the majority of visitors who've posted a review, they are very positive about Coopers Stadium.

We just disagree with you on our opinions of the stadium.

We can't take expansion to these Two States in particular lightly. They will need all the support and right decisions/planing possible. The markets that they will be fishing in are fat and bloated on all things AFL, it will make it very hard to get them to even take a nibble on a RL lure so to speak.

Absolutely agree. As does the NRL.

There hasn't been a new NRL team since the Titans in 2007 and probably with god reason. And since the mass expansion across the country in 1995 - only 4 expansion teams have survived. The Cowboys, Warriors, Storm and the Titans.

The Titans have been on NRL life support for ages, and if it weren't for the pride factor of giving AFL ownership of the area with the AFL propping up the Suns - I reckon they'd have gone a long time ago. Just my view.

So that lure needs to be the most shiniest, dancing-est and attractive in that vast AFL sea.

Agree too. We'd just choose different lures.

Finally - it's well recognised that the AFL have immense warchest of money, and are intent on playing the long game in QLD and NSW to take over the as the #1 winter sport..

So why haven't they gone all-out and purpose built brand new stadiums in these states at all with their warchest (instead using existing facilities or upgrading them in the case of the gold coast)?

Would building a brand new AFL stadium in these states bring in a sudden increase in crowds to AFL games, and make the stadiums profitable?

I think not. Lucky for the AFL and State Governments they aren't run by Alan Bond.

 

[blue bags]

redcliffe dolphins , 2023

 

[MugaB]

Hmmm. Let's see if we can add some perspective here. I'm not advocating Adelaide must come back into the comp (as much as I'd like them to), but how it would best work if they did. I hope it does happen one day as I now (having moved here) genuinely believe it could be a success if managed right.

It can be wise to see what has worked and what has failed in the past. So let's have a brief look.

1 - History of expansion teams and grounds.

Since 1982, There have been a total of 14 teams enter the NSWRL/ARL/SL/NRL competitions.

Of these 14 teams;

• Only ONE team has entered the competition with a brand new stadium (Titans)
• 4 have subsequently moved to Brand new stadiums. Broncos, Storm, Eels and Cowboys. All bar the Cowboys have other professional sporting teams that use the facility as a home ground (or at least i'm not aware of any other teams that will use it)
• The cost of brand new stadiums has ranged from $160M (Robina Stadium, Titans, and over 13 years ago) to $360M (Bankwest Stadium).
• 6 of the 14 teams no longer are part of the competition (excluding the Steelers who became a JV with the Dragons). This includes the Adelaide Rams who were admitted in 1997 and axed in 1998.

So.. lets look hypothetically at an Adelaide bid to get back in the NRL.

if Adelaide were coming back, when there are two existing facilities available to choose from (Adelaide Oval and Coopers Stadium) why on earth would straight up anyone spend a minimum $360M on a brand new stadium to house them in/near the CBD (with added extra costs of land acquisition that would be necessary) to re-enter a competition where the governing body left them to rot and unmercifully axed them previously before they had a real chance?

Well amongst many things, because smartly they wouldn't take the risk of the NRL pulling the pin again and them being stuck with the White Elephant to crush all other White Elephants. They;d be left with Adelaide City FC to help them pay the bill.

For mine... of course a new stadium would be wonderful to have and in the modern era we should have ambitions to have the best stadiums possible for the NRL and encourage fans off the lounge and consistently to games. But in Adelaide that would be committing economic and political suicide - and no fool could be stupid enough to do it. Perhaps a bloke like Alan Bond would plonk that much loot on a new stadium upfront for a team in a city with next to no professional Rugby League pedigree. And he's long since passed. The Government in power who'd do this would be voted out at ruthlessly as the Rams were in 1998.

In my opinion the far smarter option is start at Coopers Stadium, who they would share with Adelaide City FC, and potentially redevelop/upgrade if necessary (Roofing on the eastern stand would be the most apparent). Build up a strong core following and membership base, then if it's feasible and both clubs prove sustainability over a long time there could be a case for a brand New Stadium in the future (as has been the case for others).

Full list below of expansion clubs and home ground history.

Notes.
(JV) - Subsequent Joint-Venture club.
(NLE) - No longer exist in NRL.
(R) - Ground undergone major redevelopment.

1982

Illawarra Steelers (JV).
Wollongong Showground. Existing Facility (R).

Canberra Raiders.
Seiffert Oval. Existing Facility (R).
Moved to Bruce Stadium (R) in 1990.

1988

Brisbane Broncos.
Lang Park. Existing Facility.
Moved to ANZ Stadium (QE2) 1993-2003. Existing Facility.
Moved to Suncorp Stadium 2004. New Stadium. Cost $280M.

Newcastle Knights.
International Sports Centre. Existing Facility (R).

Gold Coast Giants > Seagulls (NLE).
Seagulls Stadium. Existing Facility

1995

North Queensland Cowboys.
Stockland Stadium. Existing Facility (R)
Moving to Queensland Country Bank Stadium 2020. Cost $293M

Western Reds (NLE)
WACA. Existing Facility

Auckland Warriors
Ericsson (Mt Smart) Stadium. Existing Facility

South Queensland Crushers (NLE).
Lang Park. Existing Facility

1996

Gold Coast Chargers (NLE).
Carrara Stadium. Existing Facility.

1997

Adelaide Rams (NLE)
Adelaide Oval. Existing Facility.
Moved to Hindmarsh Stadium (Now Coopers Stadium) in 1997.

Hunter Mariners (NLE)
Topper Stadium. Existing Facility.

1998.

Melbourne Storm
Olympic Park. Existing Facility.
Moved to Docklands Stadium 2001/2 - returned to Olympic Park 2003.
Moved to AAMI Park 2010. Cost $260M.

2007.

Gold Coast Titans.
Robina Stadium. New Facility. Cost $160M.

Some interesting facts, you forgot to mention chubby checker singing and dressed in a rams jersey tho hehe

Adelaide Archangels will work, if not the bears will come a knocking.
And if your ok with a relocation too, maybe rooster and their famous colors might swing by more often

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Some interesting facts, you forgot to mention chubby checker singing and dressed in a rams jersey tho hehe

Adelaide Archangels will work, if not the bears will come a knocking.
And if your ok with a relocation too, maybe rooster and their famous colors might swing by more often

Haha, the great man himself. What a coup getting Chubby Checker on board. Tina who??

 

[Perth Red]

A great RL stadium in Perth just waiting for a club.

 

[MugaB]

A great RL stadium in Perth just waiting for a club. View attachment 36438

Didn't we just pump you guys like 70-4
Sorry, just had to be said

 

[The Great Dane]

Some interesting facts, you forgot to mention chubby checker singing and dressed in a rams jersey tho hehe

Adelaide Archangels will work, if not the bears will come a knocking.
And if your ok with a relocation too, maybe rooster and their famous colors might swing by more often

Why not resurrect Adelaide's first name-

 

[flippikat]

Why not resurrect Adelaide's first name-

Or just use a big "Ace of Spades" card as logo, and blast the Motorhead song before every home game

 

[The Great Dane]

Or just use a big "Ace of Spades" card as logo, and blast the Motorhead song before every home game

Get them sponsored by the casino, have a sort of hard rock/metal bikie theme very similar to Motörhead themselves, play Ace of Spades as the team runs on to the pitch, with lots of lights and explosions of course.

Play nospam29 (for some reason the name of the song is spam lol) when the team scores, use songs like Overkill, Bomber, and The Game to build hype throughout the match day, use copious amounts of pyrotechnics. Mate they'd have the greatest game day experience in Australian sport.

I'd honestly think about switching teams lol.