I dont think the NRL have any intention to put another franchise in Perth (I dont agree with that stance for one minute). The problem is most ARL Loyalists think that News Ltd is to blame. The real problem is the NRL clubs themselves. None of them want to move past 16 clubs and if another franchise was added that would mean one the existing clubs would have to relocate or go under. All their funding is locked into for the next 5 years. They want to take the easy option and play at Homebush and accept the up front cash. I have funny feeling that if Souths wouldnt have won their court case, the game would still be stuck at 14 teams. I hope now the Channel 9 franchise in Perth has changed ownership, that it will mean better TV coverage for WA. Channel 7 has moved to multi channelling on the digital platform and that may force the 9 Network to follow suit.
I agree. The NRL is conveniently broke when it suits them. They have $12m for anyone who wants to relocate to the Central Coast. They have cancelled this years Country Carnival because of the cost of Centenary Celebrations. I think the Carnival a bit of cheap way to promote the game outside the NRL areas, but it is stupid to cancel it when it also used for Junior Registration days. Tough choice for the NRL/ARL; party or re-invest in the future. Im still mystified if they are so broke, how they can start up a National Under 20s Comp. 5 or 6 years ago they were calling out for second tier clubs like Cabramatta, Ryde/Eastwood, St Marys etc to help fund the NRL and they now have enough cash to fly 20 year olds around Australia and NZ.
Perth needs their reinstatement to the NRL to be driven by the local Rugby League people, like what happen with Paul Broughton and Michael Searle on the Gold Coast. I wonder where are all the flat earthers now who said the Gold Coast would fail? Keep shoving in their face Perth Red,
