Women's NRL

[kbw]

There are only theee games plus a final. Most players will be from Sydney. Don’t get that relocation is the main issue.

Similar number of players from QLD and from NSW. We are talking about the top 40 Australian players

 

[Eion]

So what are Cronulla going to do about it? Maybe they should organise so sort of protest at the womens state of origin.

There is some person who has an online petition thing that has 10,000 sigs. Barry was going to meet with Greenberg for what it’s worth.

But realistically, not much they can do except whinge and god bless the internet for that.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Not according to nrl360,which I know is not the best source for reliable information! The nrl were keen on 6 club comp so why would they not accept the only other two clubs who allegedly put their hands up? On nrl360 they alleged that when the nrl insisted on clubs guaranteeing and shortfall in funding the Two withdrew.

What I don’t understand is why clubs with massive league club revenues didn’t put their hands up?
After all isn’t that the reason for a LC, to fund RL development? I can understand a titans or storm not feeling that spending their hard earned on a women’s team is a priority but surely panthers with $100million pokie revenue or eels with all its cash should have been investing some of that ill gotten gain in the sport?

And please, please, please Storm, when you do get a chance to enter the WNRL - don't make your team a Sunshine Coast team FFS - you are Victorian so how about you act like it! Having a base and a netball team in QLD sends the wrong message to Victorians.

 

[T-Boon]

There is some person who has an online petition thing that has 10,000 sigs. Barry was going to meet with Greenberg for what it’s worth.

But realistically, not much they can do except whinge and god bless the internet for that.

Haha, nice.
Get some signs at the Cronulla home games. Organise a Cronulla v Souths protest game.

 

[Perth Red]

Haha, nice.
Get some signs at the Cronulla home games. Organise a Cronulla v Souths protest game.

We need a break away women's league lol! Its a shame the women being contracted aren't being picked from the best in the country, watched the recent womens "affiliated" (sic) states championship and some decent women in the WA and Vic teams.

 

[Perth Red]

It was reported before the teams were even announced that the Jillaroo players had requested the comp be restricted to 4 teams. . The geographical argument is a valid argument, A team called Sydney is much more appealing than one called Cronulla, Not sure why Souths didn't get in but I didn't see the submissions.

As I said, just because things didn't go your way doesn't make it a conspiracy. Of course her answer was middle of the road, she and the other Jillaroos had requested 4 teams only be omitted and then the team that has paid her the last few years misses out. Its not like she can say she agrees with Cronulla missing out.

No logic in having just 4 teams. I don't believe for a minute that with decent coaching and fitness work there aren't enough women playing RL across Australia to make up 6 decent teams. Either it was a cost cutting exercise or the NRL didn't get the 6 clubs applying that it really wanted so chose 4 with a view it would get the others (probably Melbourne, a western Sydney club or NQ) next time around. Id have loved to have seen the NRL push the boat out a bit and have had a developing states rep squad in the comp from the non NSW/Qland regions.

 

[siv]

That's because you are emotional and biased about the decision. I'm glad you are passionate enough to feel this strongly. You must be able to see that having a team called Sydney is much more likely to attract the casual female fans this comp should be chasing than a team called Cronulla would be? Sydney is much more inclusive.

This is not about giving you another team to support, its about providing opportunities for female players and creating a new avenue to attract new fans and increase engagement in the game.

I actually don't think her answer is middle of the road, she was asked directly about the players requesting 4 teams and at no point denies this, her answer is also more weighted more towards the 4 team model.

In saying that I believe that Cronulla should have been included due to their history in the women's game, but that doesn't mean that the valid arguements for the other side can be dismissed and wrapped up in conspiracy theories.

What reason could the NRL have for excluding the Sharks? other than those that have been provided.

It definitely wasn't to steal the players or exclude them because they were too strong because that wasn't a consideration as for the purpose of this competition they were not Cronulla players.

If they wanted a Sydney rep team

Then it should have setup as such

Eg Northern Sydney united - carrying all nothern NRL Logos

Same for Southern Sydney United

Which allows you to have Western Sydney United

Not saying Rorters represent Sydney FFS

Otherwise - each NRL team has every right to participate

 

[Perth Red]

I see the AFLW has its expansion strategy in place with 2 new clubs admitted in 2019 and 4 more in 2020. I wonder If the NRL has any sense of how it will grow this and when? Surely given they had 6 applicants the 2 missing out could have been offered the first 2 expansion spots in 2019 or 2020?

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-27/faq-the-aflws-expansion-in-2019-and-2020

 

[T-Boon]

The four club thing has two positives. Firstly, the standard should be extremely high. Similar to or better than the World Cup some of which was the best RL I've seen in years. In comparison to the dogs breakfast that is the WAFL this should be a real positive. Secondly because there is a lot less players necessary for the comp they should be able to get paid a lot more per player than the ugly ducklings of Victoria.

 

[Perth Red]

The four club thing has two positives. Firstly, the standard should be extremely high. Similar to or better than the World Cup some of which was the best RL I've seen in years. In comparison to the dogs breakfast that is the WAFL this should be a real positive. Secondly because there is a lot less players necessary for the comp they should be able to get paid a lot more per player than the ugly ducklings of Victoria.

Couple of things, hardly anyone is going to watch it so does the standard actually matter that much? Not taking away from the ladies, I agree some women's test games I've watched have been more enjoyable than some NRL games, but this is fundamentally about two things. One; public perception of the sport, ie being seen to be inclusive and equal. and two; generating more interest in the sport from females. Hopefully getting them playing and following the game more.

To start with 4 clubs only damages point 1, it looks token at best and suggests NRL isnt that serious about it and isn't wiling to invest any significant $'s into it, or sends a message that women's RL is far smaller and more inferior than women's AFL at worse.
I don't believe the quality would be massively affected with 6 clubs, why not have a planned expansion plan ready to counter balance issue 1? it all smacks of poor execution of a good idea, yet again.

I shouldn't be surprised this is another half arsed response by the NRL but I live in hope one day they actually do something right!

 

[T-Boon]

Couple of things, hardly anyone is going to watch it so does the standard actually matter that much?

If it is broadcast it will be watched. The womens world cup did ok in the ratings from memory and I bet the womens state of origin this year rates through the roof. If they use that game to promote the WNRL then it could do well. People will be sick of seeing men play NRL by the end of September.

 

[Perth Red]

If it is broadcast it will be watched. The womens world cup did ok in the ratings from memory and I bet the womens state of origin this year rates through the roof. If they use that game to promote the WNRL then it could do well. People will be sick of seeing men play NRL by the end of September.

If it is watched it will be regardless of if the talent is spread through 6 clubs or 4. In fact with more clubs involved it is likely to generate more interest from those clubs fans, given the parochial nature of NRL fans.

 

[T-Boon]

If it is watched it will be regardless of if the talent is spread through 6 clubs or 4. In fact with more clubs involved it is likely to generate more interest from those clubs fans, given the parochial nature of NRL fans.

True. For a 4 team comp they would have been better off going NSW, QLD, NZ, Melbourne.

 

[siv]

If it is broadcast it will be watched. The womens world cup did ok in the ratings from memory and I bet the womens state of origin this year rates through the roof. If they use that game to promote the WNRL then it could do well. People will be sick of seeing men play NRL by the end of September.

There is a void left in broadcasting and match day schuedling by the removal of RG and U20s

There now is no pre-game for the finals

So enter the W-NRL

Will the public bother to turn up before the 45 min grass growing eession

How many fans wont be - as their team is not playing

Imaging the pre game crowd if Easts Donkeys Warriers and St Merge all miss the finals

 

[T-Boon]

How many fans wont be - as their team is not playing

Imaging the pre game crowd if Easts Donkeys Warriers and St Merge all miss the finals

They should let fans in for free (including to stay for the main game) up until the 20 minute mark in the womens game. Anyone that keen should be rewarded.

 

[siv]

They should let fans in for free (including to stay for the main game) up until the 20 minute mark in the womens game. Anyone that keen should be rewarded.

They can't - it will be a ticketed finals match at $175 to $350 for a halfway line seat

 

[kbw]

Had my eyes opened today in regards to Cronulla and the WRL.. I always believed they did so much for Women's RL and together with Illawarra were the real vanguards. But no, they aren't. They have never ran a proper comp. Most of their great players came out of illawarra and its all smoke and mirrors.
Illarwarra are streets ahead of them running competitions for many years across many age groups. Cronulla basically ran 1 team.

On the Souths bid that was so strong. out of all the criteria that the NRL outlined were necessary Souths met only 1 and the rest were so far off the mark it was pathetic. Lets also not forget Souths have never done anything for WRL, Redfern All Blacks have done and still do a fantastic jobs but once again Souths proved themselves a joke

 

[Diesel]

Top 60 players including all Jillaroo and NZ international players are being allocated evenly to each of the participating teams. This is why the relocation costs were so important.

I’ll guarantee no Jillaroo plays for the Warriors

 

[Eion]

Had my eyes opened today in regards to Cronulla and the WRL.. I always believed they did so much for Women's RL and together with Illawarra were the real vanguards. But no, they aren't. They have never ran a proper comp. Most of their great players came out of illawarra and its all smoke and mirrors.
Illarwarra are streets ahead of them running competitions for many years across many age groups. Cronulla basically ran 1 team.

On the Souths bid that was so strong. out of all the criteria that the NRL outlined were necessary Souths met only 1 and the rest were so far off the mark it was pathetic. Lets also not forget Souths have never done anything for WRL, Redfern All Blacks have done and still do a fantastic jobs but once again Souths proved themselves a joke

Just today? Thought you were right across it from every angle from the get go we’re you not?

 

[Perth Red]

Had my eyes opened today in regards to Cronulla and the WRL.. I always believed they did so much for Women's RL and together with Illawarra were the real vanguards. But no, they aren't. They have never ran a proper comp. Most of their great players came out of illawarra and its all smoke and mirrors.
Illarwarra are streets ahead of them running competitions for many years across many age groups. Cronulla basically ran 1 team.

On the Souths bid that was so strong. out of all the criteria that the NRL outlined were necessary Souths met only 1 and the rest were so far off the mark it was pathetic. Lets also not forget Souths have never done anything for WRL, Redfern All Blacks have done and still do a fantastic jobs but once again Souths proved themselves a joke

Good article from the Illa rebuking Sharks claims to be the main developers of womens RL in the region

In 2016 the Sharks made a big song and dance about putting together the NRL’s ‘first’ women’s team. It was a major leap forward that deserved media attention, with Jillaroos stars Ruan Sims, Corban McGregor, Sam Bremner, Allana Ferguson and Maddie Studdon all decked out in Sharks colours.

Where had they all played their senior footy before that? With the Helensburgh Tiger Lillies in the Illawarra Women’s League. That’s certainly not to diminish the strength of their ties to the Sharks, their junior clubs or to the Cronulla-Sutherland area, it just illustrates that it was the Illawarra league that provided a pathway where there previously wasn’t one.

Likewise, when Kezie Apps – arguably the biggest star in the game – went looking for a competition to play in, she found a home in the Illawarra league. Bremner and Apps have been Dragons ambassadors since 2016.

The IDRL’s commitment is not just evident at the elite level. It goes right down through the junior leagues and schools all the way down the South Coast.

Since the introduction of League Tag in the Illawarra and South Coast junior leagues the number of participants have jumped from 343 players in 2015 to 1453 in 2017 (a more than 300 per cent increase).

Since 2000, the number league tag participants overall has jumped from almost 1000 to more than 8,000 in 2017. In regards to the tackle forms of the game, the numbers have jumped from almost 250 participants to more than 3000 last year.

Seven teams competed in the inaugural Illawarra Women’s League season in 2011 and there were 11 teams across open and under 18s divisions last season.

The Illawarra Steelers were part of the inaugural Tarsha Gales 9s competition last year, reaching the semi-finals, and (like the Sharks) are undefeated this season. The St George Dragons are also fielding a side in this year’s competition.

It makes South Sydney CEO Blake Solly’s laughable suggestion that the Dragons “don’t have a pathway,” not just misguided, but flat-out foolish.

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5314809/kickoff-illawarra-the-real-deal/