Two more franchises by 2010

[chemicalbrother]

Hobart....the whole state has no football team, it's a great opportunity.....

...

 

[joejoe]

Does Hobart even like Rugby League?

 

[Timbo]

For starters, any league in Tasmania would be played in Launceston at Aurora Stadium, which is the only venue in the state up to scratch, and a one off game there each year wouldn't be a bad idea (in fact the local authorities recently renovated the ground, and they stated that one of the reasons for doing so was to attract not just AFL but A-League and NRL fixtures).

Secondly, someone else mentioned a 20 team competition by 2020. I think thats probably the ideal size for the competition, it'd be a long term sustainable size, and here's how I see it standing:

NSW/ACT

-Easts
-Canterbury
-Manly
-Cronulla
-Parramatta
-Penrith
-Illawarra
-Central Coast
-Newcastle
-Canberra

Queensland

-Brisbane
-2nd Brisbane
-Gold Coast
-North Queensland

-New Zealand

-Auckland
-Wellington
-South Island

Other States

-Melbourne
-Perth
-Adelaide

-----------------------

A few points:

*I think it's becoming more and more likely that Souths will end up on the CC. Their fans are even starting to think it's not a bad idea now. And It's only a matter of time until the NRL ups the incentive.
*I think StGI will probably end up becoming a wholly Illawarra franchise. Even with the upgrades to Hokey Pokey oval it's still only a small suburban ground which may be running out of time before long. And I think the NRL would want to establish a more permanant presence in the Illawarra.
*I think Wests will either relocate to either Perth or Brisbane. They are the club struggling for identity the most, with 4 home grounds this year, with two of them barely passing standards. Whichever area they do not relocate to, will simply create a new franchise.
*I think that the NZ Warriors will revert to being the Auckland Warriors with the admission of more NZ teams.
*I think that 3 teams would probably be the ideal size for NZ, and it'd help them to compete with S14 without just the token presence of the the Warriors. A South Island team is a must, being based out of Christchurch, but possibly splitting matches with Dunedin.

-----------------------

Anyway, that'd just my latest ruminations on the subject.

 

[croydon Dog food]

For starters, any league in Tasmania would be played in Launceston at Aurora Stadium, which is the only venue in the state up to scratch, and a one off game there each year wouldn't be a bad idea (in fact the local authorities recently renovated the ground, and they stated that one of the reasons for doing so was to attract not just AFL but A-League and NRL fixtures).

Secondly, someone else mentioned a 20 team competition by 2020. I think thats probably the ideal size for the competition, it'd be a long term sustainable size, and here's how I see it standing:

NSW/ACT

-Easts
-Canterbury
-Manly
-Cronulla
-Parramatta
-Penrith
-Illawarra
-Central Coast
-Newcastle
-Canberra

Queensland

-Brisbane
-2nd Brisbane
-Gold Coast
-North Queensland

-New Zealand

-Auckland
-Wellington
-South Island

Other States

-Melbourne
-Perth
-Adelaide

-----------------------

A few points:

*I think it's becoming more and more likely that Souths will end up on the CC. Their fans are even starting to think it's not a bad idea now. And It's only a matter of time until the NRL ups the incentive.
*I think StGI will probably end up becoming a wholly Illawarra franchise. Even with the upgrades to Hokey Pokey oval it's still only a small suburban ground which may be running out of time before long. And I think the NRL would want to establish a more permanant presence in the Illawarra.
*I think Wests will either relocate to either Perth or Brisbane. They are the club struggling for identity the most, with 4 home grounds this year, with two of them barely passing standards. Whichever area they do not relocate to, will simply create a new franchise.
*I think that the NZ Warriors will revert to being the Auckland Warriors with the admission of more NZ teams.
*I think that 3 teams would probably be the ideal size for NZ, and it'd help them to compete with S14 without just the token presence of the the Warriors. A South Island team is a must, being based out of Christchurch, but possibly splitting matches with Dunedin.

-----------------------

Anyway, that'd just my latest ruminations on the subject.

If struggling for identity can bring an average of 18000 home crowds through the gate when your running 12th things cant be all that bad. Look a little closer to home.

 

[NZ Warrior]

One of the new teams has to be Wellington, NZ. I'm f**king sick of the Warriors.

 

[Lego_Man]

NZ can't sustain another team. Not enough sponsorship dollars is probably the prime reason....also look how crap the Warriors crowds are. Noone in the South Island gives a toss about League....they love their Rugby Union and thats about it. And i can't see a League facing competition from the Hurricanes and Lions succeeding in Wellington.

 

[NZ Warrior]

It's funny you should mention crowds because ChurChur got near 18,000 against the Tigers this year and H-Town got 17,000 against the Eels. What the Auckland crowds really show is how bloody fickle that lot are.

A Wellington Team would take games around the country, something the Warriors have failed to do. The new team would be like a new slate for NZ, so it could renew some sponsership interest.

A league team would also be a breath of fresh air for the Wellington region. It gives them an alternative to supporting a bunch of up & down losers (that's both the Hurricanes & the Lions).

 

[Timbo]

If struggling for identity can bring an average of 18000 home crowds through the gate when your running 12th things cant be all that bad. Look a little closer to home.

It wouldn't be hard to average 18,000 when the fans know they only have 3 chances to go see the team.

 

[joejoe]

For starters, any league in Tasmania would be played in Launceston at Aurora Stadium, which is the only venue in the state up to scratch, and a one off game there each year wouldn't be a bad idea (in fact the local authorities recently renovated the ground, and they stated that one of the reasons for doing so was to attract not just AFL but A-League and NRL fixtures).

Secondly, someone else mentioned a 20 team competition by 2020. I think thats probably the ideal size for the competition, it'd be a long term sustainable size, and here's how I see it standing:

NSW/ACT

-Easts
-Canterbury
-Manly
-Cronulla
-Parramatta
-Penrith
-Illawarra
-Central Coast
-Newcastle
-Canberra

Queensland

-Brisbane
-2nd Brisbane
-Gold Coast
-North Queensland

-New Zealand

-Auckland
-Wellington
-South Island

Other States

-Melbourne
-Perth
-Adelaide

-----------------------

A few points:

*I think it's becoming more and more likely that Souths will end up on the CC. Their fans are even starting to think it's not a bad idea now. And It's only a matter of time until the NRL ups the incentive.
*I think StGI will probably end up becoming a wholly Illawarra franchise. Even with the upgrades to Hokey Pokey oval it's still only a small suburban ground which may be running out of time before long. And I think the NRL would want to establish a more permanant presence in the Illawarra.
*I think Wests will either relocate to either Perth or Brisbane. They are the club struggling for identity the most, with 4 home grounds this year, with two of them barely passing standards. Whichever area they do not relocate to, will simply create a new franchise.
*I think that the NZ Warriors will revert to being the Auckland Warriors with the admission of more NZ teams.
*I think that 3 teams would probably be the ideal size for NZ, and it'd help them to compete with S14 without just the token presence of the the Warriors. A South Island team is a must, being based out of Christchurch, but possibly splitting matches with Dunedin.

-----------------------

Anyway, that'd just my latest ruminations on the subject.

You seemed to have left out Wests!

just an honest mistake, I understand.

 

[Lego_Man]

It's funny you should mention crowds because ChurChur got near 18,000 against the Tigers this year and H-Town got 17,000 against the Eels. What the Auckland crowds really show is how bloody fickle that lot are.

A Wellington Team would take games around the country, something the Warriors have failed to do. The new team would be like a new slate for NZ, so it could renew some sponsership interest.

A league team would also be a breath of fresh air for the Wellington region. It gives them an alternative to supporting a bunch of up & down losers (that's both the Hurricanes & the Lions).

Good crowd for a one-off game yes....which would have had a lot of novelty value. Trying to sustain that over a season competing week-in week-out with the Crusaders etc is an impossible task. Plus as i said the more pressing problem of corporate sponsorship. The Warriors have enough problems with that in Auckland and that's a 10x bigger market than what theyve got down there.

 

[Lego_Man]

It's funny you should mention crowds because ChurChur got near 18,000 against the Tigers this year and H-Town got 17,000 against the Eels. What the Auckland crowds really show is how bloody fickle that lot are.

A Wellington Team would take games around the country, something the Warriors have failed to do. The new team would be like a new slate for NZ, so it could renew some sponsership interest.

A league team would also be a breath of fresh air for the Wellington region. It gives them an alternative to supporting a bunch of up & down losers (that's both the Hurricanes & the Lions).

Good crowd for a one-off game yes....which would have had a lot of novelty value. Trying to sustain that over a season competing week-in week-out with the Crusaders etc is an impossible task. Plus as i said the more pressing problem of corporate sponsorship. The Warriors have enough problems with that in Auckland and that's a 10x bigger market than what theyve got down there.

 

[In-goal]

I always liked the name of Minto maybe Minto United for first grade.

I thought i read an arcticle on David Gallop a while back who made suggestions about this sought of expansion.

 

[Rexxy]

Timbo, ever thought about changing your name. To Dumbo?

For starters, any league in Tasmania would be played in Launceston at Aurora Stadium, which is the only venue in the state up to scratch, and a one off game there each year wouldn't be a bad idea (in fact the local authorities recently renovated the ground, and they stated that one of the reasons for doing so was to attract not just AFL but A-League and NRL fixtures).

Secondly, someone else mentioned a 20 team competition by 2020. I think thats probably the ideal size for the competition, it'd be a long term sustainable size, and here's how I see it standing:

NSW/ACT

-Easts
-Canterbury
-Manly
-Cronulla
-Parramatta
-Penrith
-Illawarra
-Central Coast
-Newcastle
-Canberra

Queensland

-Brisbane
-2nd Brisbane
-Gold Coast
-North Queensland

-New Zealand

-Auckland
-Wellington
-South Island

Other States

-Melbourne
-Perth
-Adelaide

-----------------------

A few points:

*I think it's becoming more and more likely that Souths will end up on the CC. Their fans are even starting to think it's not a bad idea now. And It's only a matter of time until the NRL ups the incentive.
*I think StGI will probably end up becoming a wholly Illawarra franchise. Even with the upgrades to Hokey Pokey oval it's still only a small suburban ground which may be running out of time before long. And I think the NRL would want to establish a more permanant presence in the Illawarra.
*I think Wests will either relocate to either Perth or Brisbane. They are the club struggling for identity the most, with 4 home grounds this year, with two of them barely passing standards. Whichever area they do not relocate to, will simply create a new franchise.
*I think that the NZ Warriors will revert to being the Auckland Warriors with the admission of more NZ teams.
*I think that 3 teams would probably be the ideal size for NZ, and it'd help them to compete with S14 without just the token presence of the the Warriors. A South Island team is a must, being based out of Christchurch, but possibly splitting matches with Dunedin.

-----------------------

Anyway, that'd just my latest ruminations on the subject.

 

[NZ Warrior]

Good crowd for a one-off game yes....which would have had a lot of novelty value. Trying to sustain that over a season competing week-in week-out with the Crusaders etc is an impossible task. Plus as i said the more pressing problem of corporate sponsorship. The Warriors have enough problems with that in Auckland and that's a 10x bigger market than what theyve got down there.

The beauty of this new NZ team would be that they actually gave a f**k about the rest of the country. The team could pool a network of companies from around the country. It would give NZ a more "national" team.

The team would obviously base itself in my home town, Wellington, which is also centrally positioned. I think the rest of the country would really get behind it. I really do think The Southern Orcas will be around within the next 5 years, providing a team relocates to the Central Coast.

 

[Alan Shore]

My take:

QLD
Nth Qld
Brisbane
Gold Coast
Brisbane 2 (Redcliffe or Easts) } possible Souths merger

NSW/ACT
Canberra
Easts
Canterbury-Bankstown
Parramatta
Penrith
Cronulla-Sutherland
Manly-Warringah
CC Bears
Newcastle
Wests Tigers

Other
Auckland
Melbourne
Perth } Souths to relocate possibly
Adelaide }

18 teams, which is perfect. If you wanted 20, I'd add Darwin and the Southern Orcas (representing Wellington + Sth Island). If not Darwin, then add a team from Cairns/Sunshine Coast.

 

[flamin]

I'd think the next expansion would be comming up just as the next NRL TV rights deal is just ending.


I would suggest that the extra money the game draws from that deal would go a long way to funding those expansion sides.


Also Ive read here that in 2018, News Ltd stops taking $10,000,000 a year out of the game.

While I'd like to see ALOT of that money going into promoting the game (Whens the last time your saw an NRL ad on TV?) I think that money could eventualy go into expansion clubs as well.


The great thing about the NRL is that with a team in perth and Adelaide...you have ever major population center covered. From there you look are VERY exciting expansion opportunities.

You could look at the Pacific Islands, PNG, more NZ clubs...maybe even a South African side.


Of course at that point I think expansion teams that far out would almost be entirely funded by the NRL.

Exactly

Imgaine, the year is 2060. The NRL is a 35 team comp. with teams from all over the South Pacific region. The average crowd attendance is 45 000 - 50 000. Big games get as many as 90 000. State of Origin gets 200 000. A billion people watch the NRL grand final and State of Origin.

Heck, we might have an international club competition with teams from Australia, NZ, PNG, England, France, Russia, America and other Pacific and Europeans countries. The possibilities are endless...

 

[flamin]

But I doubt there will be 2 more teams in the NRL by 2010. I mean I would love for this to happen but I think 2014 is the minimum for an 18 team comp.

And if it does expand CC is virtually guaranteed to be in if a club hasn't already relocated. When the NRL released their strategic plan they stated that they were focused on making RL secure along the east coast of Australia and then would be looking for a national competition. And most people involved in RL in Perth have said that a team in the NRL would be in the medium to long term future (at least another decade). A 2nd Brisbane team is much, much more likely than a team out west.

 

[Tidus_Raider]

I think a second Brisbane team should be the NRL's top priority. Think about it. Let's say expansion first started in 1980. That's 25 years and still Brisbane, the secong biggest League stronghold in the WORLD still only has 1 team. That's equal to the AFL, Football, Basketball....

Brisbane is crying out for another team. The city needs it. IMO it should be Redcliffe Dolphins. Not a relocated one. Not a team from scratch.

Redcliffe already have an identity, a club culture and would have a following (allbeit a small one ATM).

I'm a big beleiver of the Central Coast having it's own team, but i'm torn because I would love for Souths to remain in Sydney but I aslo see the argument in them relocating. All Souths need is a competitive team week in/week out and they would pack Aussie Stadium. Now that they've moved to Telstra though it might be too late.

I think NZ should have 2 side max, not three. The Warriors are doing a very bad job of promoting the game in the country. They are called New Zealand. They should be playing games out of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin etc but they are not.

Perth and Adeliade....I don't know. To be truly a national competition then we need sides in these cities but I dont no how viable they would be. Would the locals both media and the general public get behind them? Even in tough times?

 

[Kurt Angle]

Souths should merge with the Sharks, they can then both share Newtown Jets PL teams.

Bears re-incarnated on the CC.

 

[Ari Gold]

Exactly

Imgaine, the year is 2060. The NRL is a 35 team comp. with teams from all over the South Pacific region. The average crowd attendance is 45 000 - 50 000. Big games get as many as 90 000. State of Origin gets 200 000. A billion people watch the NRL grand final and State of Origin.

Heck, we might have an international club competition with teams from Australia, NZ, PNG, England, France, Russia, America and other Pacific and Europeans countries. The possibilities are endless...

i hope you're kidding......... lol