WA eyes return as Sydney clubs battle
Brent Read | May 22, 2008
A DAY after NRL chief executive David Gallop warned Sydney clubs were at death's door, Western Australian officials came knocking, presenting a compelling case for re-entry to the competition should the game's parlous financial state claim a scalp.
WA Rugby League general manager Bill Nosworthy has been beavering away in Perth since the demise of the Western Reds in 1997, who lost their place in the premiership as part of the Super League-Australian Rugby League peace deal of 1998.
Nosworthy believes Perth has the financial clout to support an NRL team, a powerful argument given the monetary woes facing clubs in Sydney as a result of the state government's decision to increase the poker machine tax.
Central Coast also remains a viable venue for the NRL, while Adelaide enjoys an undercurrent of support among NRL chief executives.
Given the squeeze in Sydney, and the financial clout enjoyed by interstate clubs, it is becoming increasingly clear the answer lies in relocation or mergers. The alternative is unpalatable: Sydney clubs will keel over and die.
"We're up for the fight," Nosworthy said. "We want to be part of it. We believe people in the west would support it. We believe rugby league would benefit from it."
Rugby league in Western Australia took a significant hit when the Reds were closed down, but corporate support and participation numbers have steadily returned since.
Junior numbers are up 30 per cent while senior participation is up 10 per cent, a direct result of Western Australia fielding a team in the Jim Beam Cup.
The state continues to lead the way among the traditional non-league playing states, including Victoria, which has the benefit of Melbourne Storm to increase the code's profile.
"We're ahead of Victoria with the Melbourne Storm on their doorstep," Nosworthy said.
"We are the leading state by far. For us, it's not being big-headed, but an enormous head start for the rebirth of the game at NRL level.
"We realise 100 per cent and we accept 100 per cent the philosophy of the NRL of not looking in that area for some time. They really needed to repair our game."
The other benefit of adding Perth - and possibly Adelaide - is the potential financial return they would bring. It may not be immediate, but long-term a legitimate national competition would drive television revenue to record levels.
Given the booming economy in Perth, Nosworthy has little doubt Perth could support two AFL teams, a league team and rugby union's Western Force.
"There's a huge amount of corporate support. We realise what happened in 1997 had to happen. We realise that totally. But we also believe now is the time that expansion has to happen."
