Why News Ltd is eager to quit the NRL ahead of time

[MarkInTheStands]

If the Sharks could do like what South Melbourne did here in Sydney, and stick at it, I can see them being SA's team quite easily.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Actually, the only teams in danger are

Cronulla because of lack of funding. But they appear to have that development thing approved by the council which they say will ensure their survival.

Manly because of their home ground not suitable for sponsors, fans and dog turds

And Newcastle because the NSW government claim that Newcastle owe them rent BUT in fact, because the NSW Gov is doing redevlopments of EAS, the Knights have been limited in sponsor revenue. Therefor the Knights are owed compensation.

Souths are fine aslong as they have Russ and PHaC (for how long who knows). Penrith were hit hard by the pokie tax but have sold off alot of properties. They are fine.

 

[mickdo]

Cronulla are specials to move. No premiership winning history, plagued by scandals, financial troubles etc. It will happen before long.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

It might, but Id rather them move to Wellington. Wellington seems a better prospect then Adelaide.

 

[MarkInTheStands]

But Tezza, again we need to make this a National League and not the East Coast + New Zealand League.

 

[Avenger]

If the Warriors keep missing the 8, watch them fold.

 

[mickdo]

We don't need another NZ team IMO

 

[ElectricEelMan]

I don't think there needs to be any relocations
But I also believe teams in Perth and Adelaide are necessities for the future of the game. I also believe we need another team in SE QLD to counter the 'invasion' of the AFL. A Central Coast team would also be nice. Ultimately the NRL should be a 20 team comp and yes we do have the talent for 20 teams.

In the end though the most important thing that needs to be addressed in regards to the long term viability of NRL is the restructuring of rugby league in Australia. The sport has the most potential for long term growth in the country than any other sport and has the potential to dwarf the other codes IF managed right. AFL has reached saturation and have no where else to expand except maybe Tasmania. Their expansion in NSW and QLD are doomed to failure since AFL really hasn't caught the imagination of people in NSW in QLD even with us being bombarded with AFL propaganda. There are however people/regions clamboring to enter the NRL; central coast NSW, perth, wellington, central coast QLD, sunshine coast, even PNG and eventually Adelaide.

These are exciting times for rugby league.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

But Tezza, again we need to make this a National League and not the East Coast + New Zealand League.

In the NFL, the National Football League in the USA, their 2nd biggest city doesnt have a side. LA.

National does not necessarily mean dots on a map. Adelaide is no bigger then country NSW. Hell, country NSW and Qld is bigger then Perth and Adelaide combined.

Im all for Adelaide, but they wont offer any more to the game then Cronulla except a seperate dot in the map.

 

[MarkInTheStands]

The Way I see it

A team in Melbourne = Storm
Team in Perth = Red's
Team in Adelaide = Sharks (if only to get Joey Grima away from our juniors :lol
Team in Central Coast = Bears
Team on The Gold Coast = Titans
Team in Brisbane = Broncos
Team in Newcastle = Knights
Team in Canberra = Raiders
Team in New Zealand = Warriors
Team in North Queensland = Cowboys (Would love for them to have at least a game in Carins and Maybe in Rockhampton once a year)

The NRL, be it the NRL commission or News Ltd, should always ensure we have these outposts, and that they are run for and as close to a profitable status as possible.

18 Teams, a national competition, then it is up to the Sydney Teams to survive against these others.

The teams inside of Sydney, catch and kill your own.

 

[Angry_eel]

But Tezza, again we need to make this a National League and not the East Coast + New Zealand League.

IMO we need an Oceanic Rugby League. Apart from Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart, a team in every Australian Capital plus 2 in NZ plus 1 in PNG. If we ever get that, Rugby League will be going great.

 

[mickdo]

Agree MITS. Relocate the Sharks to Adelaide and add Perth & the Bears. 18 teams will suit an 8 team finals system perfectly, but any more is probably just too many.

 

[MarkInTheStands]

Indeed, then you play everyone once, with 6 more games against "Groups" sides (Break the comp up into 3 groups like the do now with 2 groups), Maybe make that

So
Teams 1,4,7,10,13,16 Play each other a second time.
Teams 2,5,8,11,14,17 Play each other a second time.
Teams 3,6,9,12,15,18 Play each other a second time.

 

[born an eel]

why should we play a select number of teams twice. It should be once or twice each depending on number of teams. Any more than 12 teams it should be once, introduce a pre-season comp or similar if the season turns out to be too short.
It would also allow fot free weekend around SOO to make it fair to all teams.

 

[strider]

I've got one question for the all the "we must have ...." statements .... Why?

Why does league NEED a team in melbourne?
Why MUST it be a totally national competition?
Will melbourne ever be a truely self sufficient league franchise?

Melbourne is at an absolute peak in terms of onfield performance NOW - 4 yrs of the highest success possible (making a GF) .... can't see there being alot more success for a club - superstars, super coach, SOO players, international players .... will the supporter base grow in melbourne? will they get more corporate support in melbourne? ..... what will happen when they drop off the wave of success? - will current support levels be maintained?

The Swans had a few periods of struggling in sydney - but that was mostly when they were unsuccessful .... melbourne are doing OK at the moment (altho they still need News Ltd to keep them alive) - what if they were to fall off and News bailed?

Channel 9 won't show them ... I can only imagine its because its not worth it for 9 financially - which means they don't get viewers ... 9 no longer has AFL to show, why wouldn't they show league more? political maybe? .... why would you cut off the presentation of the GF? - 9 must think its not important in melbourne???


This is not an anti-Melbourne rant - its more a case of i think we should throw money at places where it WILL definitely make a difference before we miss the boat rant.

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

I've got one question for the all the "we must have ...." statements .... Why?

Why does league NEED a team in melbourne?
Why MUST it be a totally national competition?
Will melbourne ever be a truely self sufficient league franchise?

Melbourne is at an absolute peak in terms of onfield performance NOW - 4 yrs of the highest success possible (making a GF) .... can't see there being alot more success for a club - superstars, super coach, SOO players, international players .... will the supporter base grow in melbourne? will they get more corporate support in melbourne? ..... what will happen when they drop off the wave of success? - will current support levels be maintained?

The Swans had a few periods of struggling in sydney - but that was mostly when they were unsuccessful .... melbourne are doing OK at the moment (altho they still need News Ltd to keep them alive) - what if they were to fall off and News bailed?

Channel 9 won't show them ... I can only imagine its because its not worth it for 9 financially - which means they don't get viewers ... 9 no longer has AFL to show, why wouldn't they show league more? political maybe? .... why would you cut off the presentation of the GF? - 9 must think its not important in melbourne???


This is not an anti-Melbourne rant - its more a case of i think we should throw money at places where it WILL definitely make a difference before we miss the boat rant.

I'm witcha Strides....beat me to it.

I'm to be convinced that Melbourne actually gives a fig about the game.

That $5-6 million has been pissed down the drain if you ask me....put it back into strengthening where it is a heartland....more sides in Qld (no seriously)...Central Coast...Central Queensland....PNG could be a killer but I just can't see it being sustained financially even with the support of 2 govts.

WA, SA and Vic don't care.

It truly does not worry me if we don't expand.

 

[TheParraboy]

The game of rugby league first and formost should guarantee and make bloody well sure the grass roots of our game never dies ie country footy, junior footy and regions where there is a genuine want for the game. Worrying about wether Melbourne live or die is a farce if we let our own rugby league backyards die

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

Exactly...I am involved in a junior rugby league club and even a slither of that $5-6 million would help us immensely.

 

[strider]

tbh, I assume that 5-6 million would simply not be spent on League if News Ltd pulled away from melbourne .... I just see it as sponsorship that they would probably choose to save rather than put into league if they didn't have a vested interest in a particular team

I worry about whether melbourne can attract that amount of finacial support from somewhere else if/when News Ltd decide not to bother any more, which seems to be on the cards .... yes all NRL clubs struggle to come up with the required $$$s, but they are managing so far ... can melbourne do it without News?

melbourne are a 1 team town - a f'n big town .... IF they are viable, they SHOULD be able to get the necessary corporate support from within melbourne

 

[Belly in Brisvegas]

tbh, I assume that 5-6 million would simply not be spent on League if News Ltd pulled away from melbourne .... I just see it as sponsorship that they would probably choose to save rather than put into league if they didn't have a vested interest in a particular team

I worry about whether melbourne can attract that amount of finacial support from somewhere else if/when News Ltd decide not to bother any more, which seems to be on the cards .... yes all NRL clubs struggle to come up with the required $$$s, but they are managing so far ... can melbourne do it without News?

melbourne are a 1 team town - a f'n big town .... IF they are viable, they SHOULD be able to get the necessary corporate support from within melbourne

Especially after 11 years in the comp and 3 premierships.