NRL expansion poker

[Perth Red]

So with the no news for two more years who is going to fold, who is going to hold and who is going to raise?

Bears are the only bid so far to suggest they might fold. Sage/Elias if they are going to bid have already thrown their cards in but may rejoin the game in the future
Bombers and CQ reckon they are going to hold,
Pirates are likey to raise imo as we will continue to build the game in WA anyway and I get the feeling the ARLC is about to throw some serious development money and NRL games our way over the next few years.

No indication from Western Corridor yet on what they will do

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-new...ll-keen-despite-arlc-snub-20121029-28eug.html

 

[simostorm]

Ahem.. Pandas..

We are going all in!

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Bears aren't suggesting that they will fold, they are stating that current investors might not want to wait which in that case new investors will be sounded out. As a heaily supported bid with alot of people as fans, it's too late to simply throw in the towel. Even if the current investors do, plenty more fish in the sea. Sometimes I wonder if people read things as they are or as they want it to be to be more mellow dramatic.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

I personally think when using the word EXPANSION, West Coast Pirates brings a lot to the table.

And please, not bagging other bids.

But WCP have:
* A new audience / fan pool.
* A new RL market
* A different time slot for potential games scheduling / TV.
* New sponsor pool.
* Mining money.
* The feel good factor of 'a new horizon'.
* A pretty cool logo for mine (not that that is important).
* WA Govt on side.
* A redeveloped stadium at NIB (correct me if I am wrong).

With their junior development, and they've been at it since 2005 or so, it's not like the Pirates have just turned up, a la the Bombers.

They communicate with their fans and have been pretty transparent about growing RL in WA and getting in to the big game.

For mine, would have liked to have seen that on the table. 2 more years to get it right though.

I will proudly wear my Pirates T-shirt over here on the East Coast and continue to hope they get in.

 

[Misanthrope]

In a perfect world, we'd have the player depth and interest to let in more than two of the bids. There are definite merits to West Coast, Central Coast, CQ, Wellington, PNG, Brisbane, and Adelaide IMO.

 

[simostorm]

Pirates should be certainties.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

No one is a certainty.

 

[CQ Italia]

CQ will only be raising and looking to progress no matter what the date is. As we saw last week with the CQ Capras link now. And we should see in coming weeks, months or years.

 

[Beowulf]

The Bears are not folding. The NRL won't get off the hook that easily. The only one who has said they are gone is Ray Hadley, and that's just wishful thinking on his part!

 

[Perth Red]

Flo is the only person so far to not come out with a positive statement about definately being around in 5 years for the next chance.

"We'll have to assess whether we can fund another two or three years in the wilderness, sitting around not operating," Florimo said.

"That's going to be the biggest issue for us, whether the stakeholders want to sit around that long.
"We have to have to sit down with the members and the board to decide where we go from here.

 

[Beowulf]

Flo is the only person so far to not come out with a positive statement about definately being around in 5 years for the next chance.

"We'll have to assess whether we can fund another two or three years in the wilderness, sitting around not operating," Florimo said.

"That's going to be the biggest issue for us, whether the stakeholders want to sit around that long.
"We have to have to sit down with the members and the board to decide where we go from here.

All of that is true - Bears fans are expremely confident of the key stakeholders response, however. Flo can't speak on their behalf till he confirms with them. There will be a statement within a few weeks.

 

[BuffaloRules]

The Bears are folding and unfortunately the whole Central Coast area will now be lost to AFL & Lacrosse...

 

[WayneBennett]

Where are the Hunter Mariners?

 

[boonboon]

Mayby the cc bears could manage a nsw cup side although they haven't as yet

 

[Beowulf]

The Bears are folding and unfortunately the whole Central Coast area will now be lost to AFL & Lacrosse...

Flo said yesterday on 2GO that the Bears are not folding. Looks like all bid teams will continue.

 

[Boy]

I'm all for the pandas and am willing to become member to keep the bid alive
But I want a prototype jersey