Nrl plans for a 20 team comp

[Gobsmacked]

It's interesting to see how many compelling bids are out there, more than the 3 the NRL needs to get to 20 teams.

That really presents the question of whether the NRL sees more than 20 teams as the future - and if another phase of expansion happens, then how soon would it be after we get to 20.

I remember the last time we went to 20 teams (1995), all the talk from the ARL at the time was that there'd be a "bedding in" period after that expansion, no further expansion for a while.

That would've also given the ARL a chance to see if any teams (presumably Sydney clubs) would "hit the wall" and warrant relocation or demotion, so that an even bigger footprint could be accomplished while keeping the competition to just 20 teams.

But looking at places that didn't have teams in 1995, we now have a Melbourne team, probably a PNG team shortly & either an NZ 2 or 3rd Brisbane team (Possibly western Brisbane).. so even IF the situation arises that makes relocation a chance, there will probably be fewer viable destinations - Adelaide, maybe NZ, maybe Brisbane if Brisbane 3 isn't chosen and that's about it.. yeah?

Genuine expansion list imo:
1.Christchurch
2.Perth
3.PNG
4. Wellington
5. Ipswich
6. Adelaide
7. Melbourne 2
8. Sunshine Coast
9. Central Coast
10. Fiji
All those without question are 100% legitimate viable expansion options.
Questionable one's :
Auckland 2
Hamilton
Dunedin
Pasifika

An amazing amount of potential still lays in the northern hemisphere though, with the NRL invested into the Super league after we go to 20 teams could see an investment into club grants, a salary cap lift and expansion.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

It's interesting to see how many compelling bids are out there, more than the 3 the NRL needs to get to 20 teams.

That really presents the question of whether the NRL sees more than 20 teams as the future - and if another phase of expansion happens, then how soon would it be after we get to 20.

I remember the last time we went to 20 teams (1995), all the talk from the ARL at the time was that there'd be a "bedding in" period after that expansion, no further expansion for a while.

That would've also given the ARL a chance to see if any teams (presumably Sydney clubs) would "hit the wall" and warrant relocation or demotion, so that an even bigger footprint could be accomplished while keeping the competition to just 20 teams.

But looking at places that didn't have teams in 1995, we now have a Melbourne team, probably a PNG team shortly & either an NZ 2 or 3rd Brisbane team (Possibly western Brisbane).. so even IF the situation arises that makes relocation a chance, there will probably be fewer viable destinations - Adelaide, maybe NZ, maybe Brisbane if Brisbane 3 isn't chosen and that's about it.. yeah?

Let's assume it's...

18. Western Bears
19. The Hunters
20. South Island Kea

We would still have some genuinely lucrative options to tap into...

The Jets
Adelaide
Wellington
Melbourne 2
Fiji (if there's some juicy Govt cash)