So far we have Nth Qld, Gold Coast, Newcastle and Canberra covered as regional centres/cities and Melbourne and Brisbane as major cities covered. That's 6 of of our 16 teams.
My thoughts - and I'm not picking on anyone here.
* I really would like to see St George Illawarra actually cover the South Coast more (with NRL and CRL assistance - in conjunction with the Raiders, to shore up all of Southern NSW, Highlands, Riverina, ACT) where the combined juniors can trade between the two clubs if need be. Saints would ideally play 9 of 12 games at Wollongong and 3 in Sydney [1 being the alternate hosting of the ANZAC Game].
* I'd like to see the comp expanded to 18 teams, with Perth and either Brisbane 2 or NZ 2 given the other spot. An Adelaide, PNG and Pacifica team would be something to work on for the next 30 years. Brisbane 2 or NZ 2is a no brainer. Perth gives us options with tv slots, new markets, new frontiers, etc.
* I'd like to see a Sydney team take on the Central Coast. Easts are already putting groundwork in. If it be them, so be it. If not, the NRL should encourage a Sydney based team to relocate to the Central Coast.
* I'd like to see the NRL make sure SW Sydney has a permanent team in the Campbelltown/Narellan/Camden basin. In 25-50 years that area will all be suburbia. They need a team where the people are.
* IF the NRL can't get a team in to base themselves in CC and SWS then really, each Sydney team should be playing 1 game on the CC and 1 game at Campbelltown/SWS each season to give both these areas at least 8 games a
* I don't actually have a problem with Easts, or their location at the SFS. I'm not an Easts hating Souths fan. In fact, the East needs a team and they've been there since 1908. With properly done membership and promotion with the club and NRL and hell, even by doing a multi-Swans, Roosters, Tahs, Sydney FC membership, I reckon the Roosters would benefit immensely from that. Apologies if there is already something like that in place. Eastern Sydney / Sydney City need a team and it shall remain the Roosters.
* Souths / Bulldogs play out of ANZ. Penrith remain where they are too, as do Paramatta. Depending on finances, and meeting all eligibility for remaining in the comp, that's where they stay and grow their markets, etc.
* Manly - I know I'm going to PO a lot of people but they should really look at becoming the 2nd Brisbane team. And before anyone goes ballistic, I've said the same about Souths. If the NRL made it financially worthwhile, a Manly team at Suncorp playing on alternative weekends to the Broncos would be an absolute winner IMHO. Furthermore, the draw is rigged so they get good exposure on TV for 5-10 years as a thank you AND they create a Sydney Sea Eagles membership base/season ticket whereby the draw is also rigged so that Manly play 6-8 games in Sydney each season. Thereby, Manly fans would be able to attend all these games in Sydney. (I wonder how many of the people in the crowd of 15-18,000 each Manly game goes to more than 1-3 games a season at Brookvale anyway). Again, this is just a hypothetical really, and I do not wish to aggravate or annoy Manly fans. The same option could be given to them to move to South NZ as Manly always seem very well supported amongst Kiwi fans. I know there's the argument we forgo the North Shore without Manly but I personally don't see Brookvale ever getting redone OR a 'new' boutique stadium getting built from anywhere to Chatswood to Narrabeen.
* I also foresee a time where the NRL runs Jr football. The NRL clubs will focus solely on developing their squad, recruitment and retention, and all junior players will come through a draft system from NSW/QLD club structures and from within the NZ, WA and anywhere else once those junior bases are built. The AFL has a draft due to a player association agreement, so I can't see why the NRL can't have the same thing.
In fact, the NRL should be organising all match day events/entertainment, total NRL wide sponsorship deals, TV/internet deals, advertising revenues, promotion, etc. The NRL clubs should focus solely on their squads, training, playing and winning. And that's about it.
I know I'll get shouted down. Again, I do not wish to offend anyone's team. I think vigorous debate is good. I also think it's time to stop thinking suburban and getting this game back to the forefront. There is so much that is fun, good and great about the game. Sure, there are negatives, but with elbow grease the NRL and RL as a code can be amazing.
