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NRL faces major turmoil as clubs threaten breakaway league

BuffaloRules

Coach
Messages
15,552
Yeah I thought that might work. You have probably said "no plans" more than that, but still doesn't mean it's true. As I've explained to you numerous times the clubs and Nrl have both said, they won't expand until the clubs are profitable. Now correct me if I'm wrong but that in itself is a plan, is it not? Timeline is as long it takes to make clubs stand on there own 2 feet. Now you say that it's an excuse now..? The Nrl, clubs and most fans can at least understand the reasoning, not just discount it because you hate everything about the commission.

When smith was in charge expansion was looking possible. A lot of effort was put in to working out what is needed. Then at some point it got squashed and a line was drawn in the sand and a decision was made to look after the current clubs first. So there would of been plans and ideas on what a franchise would of needed and the initial role out but what is the point of telling people now when things can change in the mean time.

At the end of the day, the quicker clubs get profitable and can look after themselves and not plunder money on non-money making ventures the quicker expansion will happen. And I'm sure we all agree the sooner the better.

Im looking for the next leader of the NRL proposing a timetable and plan for expansion ,and it should be in time for the next TV deal that commences 2023.

This is what leadership should be about.. not wishy washy, mealy mouthed "lets wait for all the clubs to be profitable..." God know when that will ever be...

With the right combination of teams joining the NRL, I believe the extra game could be sold to TV networks to pay for the increased costs associated with the two new teams.. if this is indeed the case that expansion is going to be at worst revenue/cost neutral, I don't see how the existing clubs could reasonably have an issue...
 

BuffaloRules

Coach
Messages
15,552
I am unsold on equalisation as an outright evil thing. I am certainly against it as a means to prop up poorly run clubs in Sydney. But on the other hand I am pro adjustments in favour of teams in expansion areas or even regional areas.
I would tax Brisbane (fairly heavily) and redistribute some of their grant to the GC, Melbourne and possibly regional teams. Reason being is that they have a completely unfair advantage in terms of free to air TV every Friday (even when they play away most of the time). I would image this would amount to millions in terms of sponsorship, third party benefits etc. Their advantage in that respect has come in part from blocking new teams in Brisbane (and in one instance killing an existing team).
Would that ever happen while News Ltd owns the Broncos? Highly unlikely.
The brings me to the point that the game needs to get on better terms with Fairfax media and all other news outlets. Throw fairfax a bone. Get them more involved in the Dally M awards or something. Same with the ABC, Nine and seven. We need the other media to be in a position to drown out the garbage from News Ltd.

We can argue this until the cows come home, but...

I can never see this unequal funding happening in the NRL.. I think there is very much a feel that all teams should be on a level playing field....I don't ever hear/see the poorer clubs expecting more money than the richer teams.. its not the NRL way ...

Just because the AFL does something differently I don't see that being any great argument.. they do a lot of things differently with the main benefit of giving a leg up to the NSW and QLD teams.... why the other teams go along with it is a mystery to me...
 
Messages
14,139
According to this article in today's Sydney Morning Herald, the drop in junior numbers is in metropolitan areas. The CRL have said they have had an increase in registrations in non-metropolitan areas.
Only because that includes leaguetag. The leaguetag has been growing for 10 years as more groups and clubs take it up. But it masks what is happening to juniors and, especially, senior men's numbers. Even junior numbers are being inflated by leaguetag numbers. Leaguetag is good but it's not RL.
 
Messages
14,139
You're getting sick of hearing the word grassroots but at the same time annoyed that they haven't done anything for years. Hmmmm grassroots. "They" haven't killed the city-country, the players and the clubs have. Grassroots, grassroots, grassroots!!
Great post. What the f**k have you actually said?

So it's the clubs who run the game? What are they whinging about then?
 

T-Boon

Coach
Messages
15,878
Just because the AFL does something differently I don't see that being any great argument.. they do a lot of things differently with the main benefit of giving a leg up to the NSW and QLD teams.... why the other teams go along with it is a mystery to me...

It is a mystery to me as well.
I suspect maybe they have bought into the idea that the code getting bigger means everybody gets richer. They probably suspect if the AFL gets a bigger foothold in NSW and Queensland then there will be a corresponding increase in TV revenue and just all around growth in the game. They probably think the benefit of us (say Collingwood) spending an extra million (say $11m instead of $10) is better off, even for us, to be spent in Sydney or Brisbane. I could be way off.
I hope that the NRL and the Clubs have got a good understanding of why the AFL goes with that approach. Though I suspect it is a mystery to them as well.
 

siv

First Grade
Messages
6,761
Only because that includes leaguetag. The leaguetag has been growing for 10 years as more groups and clubs take it up. But it masks what is happening to juniors and, especially, senior men's numbers. Even junior numbers are being inflated by leaguetag numbers. Leaguetag is good but it's not RL.

On LeagueTag

You will have people who progress to senior levels of the physical game

But there are others who can't play a physical game eg kids with Cochlear implants. But still love to play, run and pass and kick a football

Setting up a U14, U16 and older LeagueTag comp playing for your local team on Saturday afternoon is a brilliant idea. Keeps everyone involved rather than players leaving the code from U14 onwards
 
Messages
14,139
On LeagueTag

You will have people who progress to senior levels of the physical game

But there are others who can't play a physical game eg kids with Cochlear implants. But still love to play, run and pass and kick a football

Setting up a U14, U16 and older LeagueTag comp playing for your local team on Saturday afternoon is a brilliant idea. Keeps everyone involved rather than players leaving the code from U14 onwards
It's for girls and women. So the only ones progressing to contact RL are a small handful in areas that have women's RL, and almost nowhere does.
 

siv

First Grade
Messages
6,761
I am unsold on equalisation as an outright evil thing. I am certainly against it as a means to prop up poorly run clubs in Sydney. But on the other hand I am pro adjustments in favour of teams in expansion areas or even regional areas.
I would tax Brisbane (fairly heavily) and redistribute some of their grant to the GC, Melbourne and possibly regional teams. Reason being is that they have a completely unfair advantage in terms of free to air TV every Friday (even when they play away most of the time). I would image this would amount to millions in terms of sponsorship, third party benefits etc. Their advantage in that respect has come in part from blocking new teams in Brisbane (and in one instance killing an existing team).
Would that ever happen while News Ltd owns the Broncos? Highly unlikely.
The brings me to the point that the game needs to get on better terms with Fairfax media and all other news outlets. Throw fairfax a bone. Get them more involved in the Dally M awards or something. Same with the ABC, Nine and seven. We need the other media to be in a position to drown out the garbage from News Ltd.

Rather than tax Brisbane

Setup a Scheduling impact allowance
eg
- If you play less 70% of games on FTA you get $X per game
- If you play Thu or Fri 6pm (not on long weekends) you get $Y per game

The ticket to a AFL equalisation strategy in RL is allowances
 

siv

First Grade
Messages
6,761
It's for girls and women. So the only ones progressing to contact RL are a small handful in areas that have women's RL, and almost nowhere does.
I know

But it should also be available for youths as well

Kids are being forced away from their local club from U14 and U16 when they want to stay involved and just play and have fun. They know they won't be NRL superstars and usually can't handle the physical demands or injuries

Prefer the play Touch or Tag in my local team colours than leave the code to go play soccer so they can play a bit of sport on a Saturday afternoon
 
Messages
14,139
I know

But it should also be available for youths as well

Kids are being forced away from their local club from U14 and U16 when they want to stay involved and just play and have fun. They know they won't be NRL superstars and usually can't handle the physical demands or injuries

Prefer the play Touch or Tag in my local team colours than leave the code to go play soccer so they can play a bit of sport on a Saturday afternoon
Problem with offering tag and the easy option is it will draw even more players away from RL and kill off even more junior sides. This is why developing non-contact versions doesn't necessarily benefit RL. It works for girls and women because they're not playing RL anyway so it's a route into RL. For men and boys it's actually a route out or RL.
 

Stormwarrior82

Juniors
Messages
1,036
Great post. What the f**k have you actually said?

So it's the clubs who run the game? What are they whinging about then?

How about you re-read my post. You are whinging about the nrl directing money to grassroots and blame the failure of the city/country on the nrl. I'm just pointing out to you how ridiculous that sounds. Are you normally this cynical?

Try and keep up with our conversation next time.
 

Marlins

Juniors
Messages
1,415
Problem with offering tag and the easy option is it will draw even more players away from RL and kill off even more junior sides. This is why developing non-contact versions doesn't necessarily benefit RL. It works for girls and women because they're not playing RL anyway so it's a route into RL. For men and boys it's actually a route out or RL.
Tag = no money or future career
Nrl=some of the highest paid sportsmen in aus
Tag and touch footy players cross over to RL.
It brings a lot more juniors to the game and associates them with nrl clubs it's a good thing.
 

Stormwarrior82

Juniors
Messages
1,036
Problem with offering tag and the easy option is it will draw even more players away from RL and kill off even more junior sides. This is why developing non-contact versions doesn't necessarily benefit RL. It works for girls and women because they're not playing RL anyway so it's a route into RL. For men and boys it's actually a route out or RL.

Agree

Having Touch, Austag, 9 a side and all other versions all dilutes the initial product which is 13 a side rugby league. I definitely don't think we should get rid of it but just be cautious with how we go about development.
 
Messages
14,139
Tag = no money or future career
Nrl=some of the highest paid sportsmen in aus
Tag and touch footy players cross over to RL.
It brings a lot more juniors to the game and associates them with nrl clubs it's a good thing.
That's the NRL's attitude, which is why they spent god knows how much buying touch (actually it's just so they can include touch players as participants). This is the NRL currently about to lose its chairman because he's not competent. What they don't understand is touch and tag are for people who have every opportunity to play RL already but don't want the physicality of RL. It's for RL players who don't want to play RL.

The NRL's entire junior development strategy is about getting six year olds to play RL. No six year old is playing touch or tag before playing mini league, so it makes no sense. They are all about recruiting six year olds but then do f**k all for other juniors and wonder why they all leave by 14 or 16. It's no surprise they are now telling the best players over 23 they can't play rep football anymore. Might as well tell them to f**k off altogether. Then they can play touch.
 
Messages
14,139
How about you re-read my post. You are whinging about the nrl directing money to grassroots and blame the failure of the city/country on the nrl. I'm just pointing out to you how ridiculous that sounds. Are you normally this cynical?

Try and keep up with our conversation next time.
No. You need to read. Why the f**k would I complain about money for grassroots??? What I said was the NRL is all of a sudden talking grassroots when it needs an excuse for pulling money back from the clubs. They've never shown this concern for the grassroots before. City-Country is just one recent piece of proof.
 

T-Boon

Coach
Messages
15,878
Problem with offering tag and the easy option is it will draw even more players away from RL and kill off even more junior sides. This is why developing non-contact versions doesn't necessarily benefit RL.

That sounds like a worry. It is not ideal but would a partial solution be to get reduced team competitions going. Say 9 a side on smaller grounds. Half field or something???
They do that in the US with smaller schools. They have 7 aside American Football in smaller schools and those schools still get kids into scholarships at college and into the NFL.

Edit: I just read Stormwarriors post above sounds like 9 aside is already being played.
 
Last edited:

T-Boon

Coach
Messages
15,878
Rather than tax Brisbane

I have to admit I love the idea of taxing Brisbane.

It would be the ultimate way of standing up to news limited and its bullying. Get all the other clubs (bar whoever else is owned by news ((Storm??)) on board with the idea....then just pound them. Ride out the Daily Telegraph melt down and get Fairfax promoting the idea in counter propaganda. f**k you News.

Best of all is that it is fair to tax them as they have insane advantage that need to be balanced out.
 

T-Boon

Coach
Messages
15,878
Tag = no money or future career
Nrl=some of the highest paid sportsmen in aus
Tag and touch footy players cross over to RL.
It brings a lot more juniors to the game and associates them with nrl clubs it's a good thing.

The NRL could really promote touch footy as a pipeline to the NRL by getting a touch comp on the Fox league station involving the NRL clubs with a mix of NRL players (Benji etc) and the best touch players going around.
 

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