Expansion or Relocation

Been talked about before and apparently it's off the agenda, but thought I would start the discussion with talk the Western Force is a big chance of getting the boot from Super Rugby.

If they do get the boot should the NRL take the opportunity to create a new team or provide big incentives to relocate a team there and try to get some bandwagon fans while the iron is hot? Is it a lost cause? Are the Force fans Rugby fans who won't follow league anyway, so SANZAAR's decision has not impact on the NRL?

If they do commit to a WA team, what should happen? New team or relocated team? If a relocated team, which one? If it was your team, would you still support it? If it's a Sydney team, should they still play some games in Sydney? What would be the best name for a team? The WA Cocks? West Tigers? Gold Coast-West Coast Titans? Cronulla Quokkas? St George-Illawarra-Fremantle Dragons? Perth Parrots? The WA (Sand)Gropers, lead by Mitchell Pearce and playing in yellow dresses with Troy Buswell as their no 1 ticketholder?

i don't think the force going will make the NRL move over there

i'd be for it but i don't think it'll happen, another reason it could be a good time to because the force would have players that could make the switch that a new team could pick up. including a few that already have a good history in rugby league

i don't think the NRL will relocate a team, if a sydney team died, they probs wouldn't hesitate in using that to expand but i don't think they'll ever force that process. which i agree with

The argument against expansion is always the lack of depth we already have but a new team also brings a new cap and the ability to get players from ESL/Rugby

leaguegod wrote:i don't think the force going will make the NRL move over there

i'd be for it but i don't think it'll happen, another reason it could be a good time to because the force would have players that could make the switch that a new team could pick up. including a few that already have a good history in rugby league

i don't think the NRL will relocate a team, if a sydney team died, they probs wouldn't hesitate in using that to expand but i don't think they'll ever force that process. which i agree with

The argument against expansion is always the lack of depth we already have but a new team also brings a new cap and the ability to get players from ESL/Rugby

I don't buy the lack of depth argument - the fringe players would step up and the comp would adapt.

It's not about crowd figures, it is purely about eyes watching the TV and thus I think the issue is that there is only one standout location for a new/relocated club (Perth) and this is even further made attractive if the Force do fold.

So the NRL is caught between a rock and a hard place in terms of do the expand to another location along with Perth so that there is even teams in the comp; or do they relocate an underperforming Sydney team??

Perth is going places, new stadium being built, the fans are passionate and plenty of corporate support

The NRL is not going places, they don't have a clue and the local chook raffle is run more professional.

Would love to see it happen but it won't

Oz Sport Mad wrote:

I don't buy the lack of depth argument - the fringe players would step up and the comp would adapt.

It's not about crowd figures, it is purely about eyes watching the TV and thus I think the issue is that there is only one standout location for a new/relocated club (Perth) and this is even further made attractive if the Force do fold.

So the NRL is caught between a rock and a hard place in terms of do the expand to another location along with Perth so that there is even teams in the comp; or do they relocate an underperforming Sydney team??

i think if you expand to perth, you plan to go to 18 teams


but you probably have deal with an odd number for 2-3 seasons, i think the game can handle 18 but bringing 2 in at one time could lead to those teams being even poorer then they would be otherwise.


if we make these decisions around TV(which 95% of current decisions are made around), perth and 2nd NZ team would give us heaps of flexibility schedule wise



i'd love a proposal for say

Perth 2019
2nd NZ 2022

leaguegod wrote:

i think if you expand to perth, you plan to go to 18 teams


but you probably have deal with an odd number for 2-3 seasons, i think the game can handle 18 but bringing 2 in at one time could lead to those teams being even poorer then they would be otherwise.


if we make these decisions around TV(which 95% of current decisions are made around), perth and 2nd NZ team would give us heaps of flexibility schedule wise



i'd love a proposal for say

Perth 2019
2nd NZ 2022

I think that is the only thing holding up Perth because I doubt the NRL (and the TV rights overlords) want to have to deal with teams having byes throughout the entire season.

Has to be 2 teams and there isn't an obvious 2nd team at the moment.

long term i would agree but i don't think byes for a few years are the end of the world

Relocation wouldn't work, I can't speak for everyone but I don't want a relocated team. It would just put people off, imagine say for example that gold coast gets relocated. Hayne says no I don't want to live in Perth, it already cheapens the franchise before it gets off the ground.

It needs to start from scratch, there's already merch for the West Coast Pirates. While I'm not thrilled about the name I can still get behind it.

We'll have a new stadium by the end of the year that is going to be one of the best in Australia. The time slot is perfect for the NRL. It would have done a lot better 5 years ago when the mining boom was going on however there's enough kiwis here to get the team going.

Honeysett wrote:Relocation wouldn't work, I can't speak for everyone but I don't want a relocated team. It would just put people off, imagine say for example that gold coast gets relocated. Hayne says no I don't want to live in Perth, it already cheapens the franchise before it gets off the ground.

It needs to start from scratch, there's already merch for the West Coast Pirates. While I'm not thrilled about the name I can still get behind it.

We'll have a new stadium by the end of the year that is going to be one of the best in Australia. The time slot is perfect for the NRL. It would have done a lot better 5 years ago when the mining boom was going on however there's enough kiwis here to get the team going.

It might put people off for a bit but people get over it.

I used to be a Brisbane Bears fan in the AFL and was a bit dirty for a while when the Lions became part of the club.

Eventually (and 3 premierships did help mind you), it is forgotten and I actually enjoy the history from Fitzroy being part of the club.

Oz Sport Mad wrote:

It might put people off for a bit but people get over it.

I used to be a Brisbane Bears fan in the AFL and was a bit dirty for a while when the Lions became part of the club.

Eventually (and 3 premierships did help mind you), it is forgotten and I actually enjoy the history from Fitzroy being part of the club.

The trouble with Perth is the mentality, if you aren't competitive they won't rock up. The way we get behind teams when they win is a lot better than I reckon most Sydney teams eg Scorchers and the Wildcats.

For me it feels this is what is needed to make the Perth club successful.

1) Huge name people will know
2) New team
3) Competitive straight away
4) NRL backing to make us competitive
5) Honeysett #1 ticket holder

Unless NZ want to become a state of Australia I say fuck em off. No 2nd team is coming out of NZ. It should be Perth and Brisbane. We don't prop up the rest of the Pacific why NZ ? If they can't support their own league then they can be minnows like PNG and play in the QLD cup.

Honeysett wrote:

The trouble with Perth is the mentality, if you aren't competitive they won't rock up. The way we get behind teams when they win is a lot better than I reckon most Sydney teams eg Scorchers and the Wildcats.

For me it feels this is what is needed to make the Perth club successful.

1) Huge name people will know
2) New team
3) Competitive straight away
4) NRL backing to make us competitive
5) Honeysett #1 ticket holder

Pffft that's the trouble with every and any team in Australia mate....

But I doubt people rocking up is what the NRL is after anyway.
What they are targeting is the 2.5M West Australians that are potential TV viewers.

I think so far Perth has done everything it can to convince the NRL. Every game they put on here is a sell out. They have had a test match here and it was well received. They're bringing SOO here in 2019 to the new stadium, so it's not like we're not on the radar.

The new Stadium and precinct looks like it is going to be awesome, but I still think NIB Stadium is the best place for NRL (aside from the 2019 Origin) to be played. We won't sell NIB out when there is a team here. 10 to 15k is a great atmosphere at NIB, but 25k at an 'oval' oval is terrible.

The saddest thing about all of this is we have all been talking about it for the best part of this decade. Back in 2011 it seemed like it was almost a foregone conclusion that there would be a Perth team in 2013ish.

2017 and it is still on the backburner. The points made in here and on 360 tonight were dead right. The AFL have the money and they swore come hell or high water that they would make GC and GWS successful, and from memory Demetriou literally said they had a 20 year plan back then.

What does N.R.L mean?
Has to be time for Honeysett #1 ticket holder to be a chance.

I'd personally love to see the expansion of the league and think that Perth is a great place for a team to be. Even more so if the Force get booted. I can't get behind another Brisbane based team... Would love to see something from Central QLD (ala Capras) or the likes but I doubt that will happen any time soon die to lack of stadium, difficulty in travelling and whatnot.

I suppose the only other logical place for another side (other than WA) would be NZ. 

*I live in VIC and can tell you that neither them or SA has any need for another side.

I am in full support if the NRL agree to start a new team in Perth, I think it would be great for the sport. Watch an AFL game there and have a look at the turnout!

Oz Sport Mad wrote:

I don't buy the lack of depth argument - the fringe players would step up and the comp would adapt.

I dont buy this either.
Sure the comp has survived without them but the code would have been far better off keeping the Folau's, SBW's, KHunts and co in the game.
Imagine if a young JT was poached early on in his career and we never got to see what he has done. I hate the "fringe/young guys will step up" argument. The best ones will make it regardless, and if there is less teams, then we dont have to see Michael Chee Cam or Brendan Elliott run around every weekend.

I would love to see a relocation of a side.

It happens fairly "regularly" in the NFL and NBA. Of course there are positives and negatives for both, but sometimes you just have to upset a few people in order to grow.