On radio Searle has floated the idea of a Sunshine Coast or Ipswich-based team, a second New Zealand franchise and a joint venture between Darwin and Papua New Guinea.
But what he didn't say was that existing Sydney clubs would have to move to those places in order for it to work. That will be the recommendation that goes to the NRL in six weeks when work on the Doomsday Document is complete.
"This is not an expansion plan - it'll only work with relocation," he said.
"The NRL should offer 40 to 50 million dollars instead of eight or 11 for relocations. And if you merge, you should continue to get two clubs' grants each year for 10 years."
The most surprising element of the scheme is the first international joint venture in world sport.
The Northern Cyclones or Northern Birds of Paradise would play most of their home games in Darwin with two or three each year in Port Moresby - and draw millions of dollars in funding from both governments.
"There are just under 3000 Australian companies operating in PNG and their Government has made an official inquiry into getting a club in the NRL," he said.
"The Northern Territory Government is spending money attracting our games to Darwin and Alice Springs. We have an opportunity to take the Top End off the AFL."
