Western Melbourne
Juniors
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Western Melbourne is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia with a large and diverse population, which presents a potential untapped market for the NRL. An expansion team could attract new fans and help grow the game in this region. According to the 2021-22 ABS census, the population of Western Melbourne's LGA (including Brimbank and Melton) is estimated to be over 1.1+ million for the metropolitan region alone. Including Greater Geelong and Ballarat, the market size increases to over 1.5 million. This would rank Western Melbourne 5th-6th in the NRL by population/market size.
- The addition of a 2nd Victorian NRL team creates a new rivalry in Australian sports. A Western Melbourne-Victoria based team would form a blockbuster cross-city derby with the Melbourne Storm - between Melbourne's west and Melbourne's south-east.
- Junior numbers for rugby league in Victoria are at a record-breaking high in 2023, with over 4,400+ juniors signed up and counting - up 50% since 2019! As the game continues to grow at grassroots level, a 2nd Victorian NRL team would help accelerate that growth and provide more funding and resources for junior clubs. It also opens up more pathways and opportunities for young kids aspiring to play in the NRL.
- Many NRL players have played and developed in the Victorian junior ranks, particularly with western-based clubs, including Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Zev John, Ben Nakubuwai (Altona Roosters), Dean Ieremaia, Sione Finau, Haele Finau, Fonua Pole (Sunbury United) and Greg Marzhew (North West Wolves). Other greats such as Gareth Widdop and Jeremy Smith have also had stints with western junior clubs.
- A potential Western Melbourne NRL side could look at a variety of options for stadiums, including the ideal destination of Wyndham City Stadium (Tarneit) which is located in the heart of Melbourne's western suburbs. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the 15,000-capacity multisport stadium is being developed as part of the 'Wyndham Stadium Precinct' which includes a 63-hectare world class sport, entertainment, business and residential precinct. GMHBA Stadium in Geelong or Mars Stadium/Moreshead Park in Ballarat are other options. Otherwise, Marvel Stadium and AAMI Park are alternate options located in Melbourne's CBD.
Wyndham Stadium Precinct | Wyndham City
The Wyndham Stadium Precinct is located at 1160 Sayers Road (North) Tarneit, with major investment to transform this large undeveloped, 63-hectare site into a world class sport, entertainment, business and residential precinct.
- NRL boss Peter V'Landys has talked about plans to expand the NRL competition to 20 teams by 2032. While we support the growth of the game nationally and expanding into other regions like Perth, a 2nd NZ team etc a 2nd Victorian NRL team would also have logistical and financial advtanges compared to other major cities i.e. travel costs and distance.
- With the strong kiwi/Māori and Pasifika demographic in Melbourne's west, the potential to tap into this market could help open up a whole new fanbase. As demonstrated by the Samoan/Pasifika parades last year during the RLWC - particular in Melbourne's west, with areas such as Caroline Springs, Melton, Altona etc seeing unprecedented numbers of fans and scenes encapsulating the passion of Pasifika rugby league fans.
- Another potential rivalry could be on the cards with the New Zealand Warriors. With the annual ANZAC Day clash against the Storm being a popular fixture with Warriors supporters, the possibility of two away games in Melbourne could also be an ideal proposition for the NRL.
+ POINTS OF SUMMARY
- Unique potential for a Melbourne derby rivalry and strong Pasifika demographic
- Stadium in Tarneit provides unique opportunity for team to play at marquee venue in Melbourne's western suburbs - a feat the AFL has not yet acheived
- Comparatively strong data and analysis in favour of Western Melbourne compared to other major cities in talks for expansion
- Potential drawbacks and challenges in expansion to other cities
FAQ
Q. Why Western Melbourne?A. Western Melbourne is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. With a total population of 1.5 million people including Geelong and Ballarat, Melbourne's west is also home to the fastest growing region in Australia!
Wyndham in Victoria (region of Wyndham City Stadium in Tarneit) was Australia’s fastest growing region over the past three years, with an additional 34,500 to its population between 2019-2022 for a December estimate of 308,900 residents. In addition, among the top 10 fastest growing Australian regions for 2019-2022 was Melton (Vic) ranked #3 in the nation - located in Melbourne's west.
Q. A 2nd Victorian team - especially out West - would struggle like Western United.
A. Comparing this idea to Western United is pretty much apples and oranges, especially without context. The A-League's popularity has dwindled considerably in recent years, much like Super Rugby. At the height of its peak, the old Victory v Heart derby in the A-League drew crowds of 50k+ without any real geographical incentive behind it. Given that WUFC were introduced with two other established teams in the same market at a time when the A-League was in rapid decline (and still is) without the stadium yet built - it gives us models to learn from.
On the other hand, the NRL finds itself growing in popularity which is evident in the 50% growth of rugby league juniors in Victoria in just one year! Add that with a growing population and the potential to tap into the large Pasifika demographic out west - as well as the possibility to take regional and trial games to Geelong and Ballarat, further expanding the NRL's reach into Victoria.
Q. How can a Western Melbourne expansion NRL team compete in AFL heartland?
A. Given the population boom of Melbourne's west combined with the significant growth of junior rugby league in Victoria and the strong, increasing Pasifika demographic, data suggests that rugby league in Victoria will continue to soar in popularity at a rapid-rate.
With the geographical and cultural divide between Melbourne's west and Melbourne's south-east, the emphasis on a Melbourne derby against the Storm offers a unique, blockbuster rivalry in Australian sport like no other. It also innovates the 'tribalism' aspect that's prevalent in Melbourne sporting culture.
With the strong kiwi, Māori and Pasifika demographic and NZ-expats, you also add the prospect of two away games in Melbourne for the NZ Warriors; a popular fixture in Melbourne with the annual ANZAC Day clash between the Storm and Warriors consistently drawing crowds of 20,000+.
The most unique and distinctive feat about a potential NRL team in Melbourne's west is dependent on completion of the stadium in Tarneit. No professional sports team in Melbourne actually plays out of a marquee stadium in Melbourne's western suburbs. Essendon & WB play their home games in Melbourne's CBD, with the Bulldogs taking the odd regional games to Ballarat. Geelong, while part of the Western corridor market, is much further out from the suburbs. This is why the stadium being built is key to this concept developing. The NRL could potentially have a chance to land a huge strike in AFL heartland and bring a team out west that actually plays out west - something the AFL has not yet acheived. The stadium's centralized location in the heart of Melbourne's west along with the millions being invested into the sports entertainment precinct is vital to this idea coming to fruition.
Q. Why should a 2nd NRL team in Victoria even be considered? Especially against other cities like Perth, Adelaide, NZ2 etc?
A. From an outsider's perspective, I understand why people would not even give us a second thought and look at us as a viable option. However once you do your due dilligence and analyze the data, look at the facts and compare us to other major cities in expansion talks given the standards of criteria like market size, junior numbers and grassroots participation, logistics, TV household #, along with other factors like average median household income, infrastructure, projected growth of populations etc we definitely tick a lot of boxes the NRL would be looking at. There are pros (and cons) of any expansion team, however I believe the pro's are definitely in our favour. Maybe more than what some may think.
Of course we want the game to expand nationally, but you have to look into every option and analyze how practical it is; how it benefits the growth of the game and the NRL product, the risk/reward factor and ultimately the evidential data to back it all up. For example, many fans favour the idea of a PNG team or a Pasifika-based team. On paper, it sounds great. When you look at it from the NRL's perspective taking said criteria above into consideration, it's perhaps more detrimental than beneficial.
#WESTMELBNRL
** NOTE: We are not affiliated with the NRL, NRL Victoria, the Melbourne Storm and or any other commercial entities. This is an independent fanpage supporting & promoting a 2nd NRL team in Victoria for expansion. Any content used within are property of their respective owners, and are used in accordance subject to copyright under 'fair use'.
** NOTE: We are not affiliated with the NRL, NRL Victoria, the Melbourne Storm and or any other commercial entities. This is an independent fanpage supporting & promoting a 2nd NRL team in Victoria for expansion. Any content used within are property of their respective owners, and are used in accordance subject to copyright under 'fair use'.
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