What was the reason...

[LeagueXIII]

league went from 20 clubs to 14 in 1999?

 

[wittyfan]

Wasn't it 17 teams in 1999?

 

[LeagueNut]

Yes.

1998 = 20
1999 = 17
2000 = 14

 

[innsaneink]

17 in '99

Adelaide & Gold coast folded, Illawarra & saint merged.

 

[LeagueXIII]

Thanks scoop.

But what was the REAL reason behind the rhetoric that we had to go to 14 clubs?

 

[Perth Red]

Money, the game was bankrupt nearly and needed to cut its cloth accordingly. Less clubs meant more money to each club to keep them afloat. They booted those that they "thought" were of least value.

Some of the stupidist decisions ever made in sports administration in hindsight!

 

[innsaneink]

Thanks scoop.

But what was the REAL reason behind the rhetoric that we had to go to 14 clubs?

You might try and be a bit more specific with your questions next time arsehole

 

[LeagueXIII]

Would these clubs b able to survive today considering the money in the game today? Surely if clubs such as Souths, Cronulla etc can survive why wouldn't the one's considered unable to.

 

[Stagger eel]

Would these clubs b able to survive today considering the money in the game today? Surely if clubs such as Souths, Cronulla etc can survive why wouldn't the one's considered unable to.

the NRL couldn't sustain the extra cost and the quality of the game will suffer big time.

just leave it at 16.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

relocation is the future

 

[Stagger eel]

relocation is the future

yep, that's what should happen.

 

[Red Bear]

the rot started when they added 4 clubs at once in 95, this buggered everything up. Should've been at most 2. Then the ARL's treatment of Perth was terrible, they never had a chance.

 

[Stagger eel]

the rot started when they added 4 clubs at once in 95, this buggered everything up. Should've been at most 2. Then the ARL's treatment of Perth was terrible, they never had a chance.

weren't they a victom of the peace deal???

 

[LeagueXIII]

Innsaneink wrote:

[You might try and be a bit more specific with your questions next time arsehole/QUOTE]

Little sensitive aren't we?

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

I agree, relocation is the future.

I hate merges, my team hasnt merged and im grateful we havent, I really feel for Steelers, Dragon, Tigers, Magpies and Bears fans (not so much Manly fans).

Everytime I see a Bears, Balmain or Magpies jersey I think tradition and the games birth, now when I look at the Wests Tigers jersey I see 2 great clubs forced into one. When I look at a Reds jersey I think "what could have been".

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

You might try and be a bit more specific with your questions next time arsehole

Little sensitive aren't we?

Touchie subject, I dont think he is angry at you, just at what happened to his team.

 

[innsaneink]

Innsaneink wrote:

[You might try and be a bit more specific with your questions next time arsehole/QUOTE]

Little sensitive aren't we?

Sensitive?

Nope, I always class ingrates as arseholes.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

Touchie subject, I dont think he is angry at you, just at what happened to his team.

Or it could easily be construed as him being just a rude prick !

 

[LeagueXIII]

innsaneink wrote:

Sensitive?

Nope, I always class ingrates as arseholes

Not only sensitive, but angry as well.

 

[LeagueXIII]

I hate merges, my team hasnt merged and im grateful we havent, I really feel for Steelers, Dragon, Tigers, Magpies and Bears fans (not so much Manly fans).

Have to agree. Could these clubs have survived if they rode out the tough times post SL? Particularly when internet, mobile rights could be worth as much as TV rights. It seems our traditions have been killed for a pure cold hearted business decision.

For me the worst merger was St.George a club that could easily survive, I liken them to Manchester Utd in soccer or Collingwood in AFL, these clubs would NEVER merge in 100 years. They should be a stand alone club, fullstop.