Ok. I am a Tigers fan who currently lives on the Gold Coast- I have as clear a view as possible
This is how the competition should go
First- Cut Cronulla- They have never got off the ground- give their juniors back to St George
Second- Merge Parramatta and Penrith- this would create an absolute powerhouse club with well over 15000 Juniors, Parramatta and Penrith Leagues Clubs. Sharing Games Between CUA and Parramatta stadium would be a huge sucess.
Then
with the two new teams, you would give a Perth and Northern Licence. This Northern license would be for a team which is based in Darwin but plays in PNG- to base a team in PNG would be too hard given infrastructure etc, however, to play there would be a huge financial windfall. Also, a Central QLD, Central Coast, Pacific Islands (FIJI SAMOA TONGA) Wellington Licence would be given depending on whos bid was best.
Next
the Sydney matter.
People always talk about how to get the Sydney Crowds back etc.
The answer is simple.
Split the NRL into two conferences
with my merged Parramatta Panthers and No Sharks, the "New South Wales Conference" would have 8 teams.
Parramatta Panthers
Souths
Easts
Wests
Manly
Dragons
Canterbury
Knights
This would create local derbies much more often and bring the crowds back hopefully. Each team plays teams in its own conference twice and outside its own conference once.
The "National Conference"
Melbourne
Brisbane
Titans
Cowboys
Northern (PNG)
Perth
Auckland
Raiders
This system cuts the regular season short by 5 weeks. However to make up for this a more exciting finals system would be devised.
Each conference is counted like the current "top 8" in the Mcintyre system. This Mcintyre system is played out until each conference has a top four. Then, the top fours are ranked on their overall competition points from one to 8- then the Mcintyre system is repeated. Virtually same number of games with more knockout games and excitement. Brings back what Sydney people want ( tradition etc) gives the game a much better national focus and revenue stream and i think would be much more financially sound.
