Lack of player talent delaying NRL expansion aspirations, say leading rugby league identities

LEADING rugby league identities believe expanding the NRL competition would prove an unmitigated disaster, writes David Riccio.

Ricky Stuart believes the NRL should be focused on other issues before an expansion plan

EXPANDING the NRL competition would prove an unmitigated disaster, according to leading and influential rugby league identities who believe there simply isn’t enough quality playing talent to add any further teams.

The issue of expansion and re-location reared it’s head last week following revelations that the financial plight of the Wests Tigers is at breaking point.

NRL chief executive Dave Smith has consistently stated that discussion on expanding the competition will feature on his end-of-season agenda, with no extra clubs or relocation of teams expected during the current broadcast deal, which concludes in 2017.

But according to the game’s leading coaches, players, chief executives and commentators, the issue of expanding the competition needs to be withdrawn and replaced by a more intense focus — there simply isn’t enough talent to satisfy more than 16 NRL teams.

It’s a belief was never more evident than last weekend.

Leading rugby league identities believe expansion would be an unmitigated disaster.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that an alarming 83 NRL players were unavailable for selection either through injury or suspension last weekend, which contributed to three of the seven matches finishing with record-breaking scorelines, mediocre TV ratings and far from satisfying crowd figures.

Missing only their starting hooker Nathan Peats, Parramatta fielded their best possible side before succumbing to their biggest loss in 67-years against the Sydney Roosters last Saturday night, losing 56-4.

Surrendering 40-12 to the Wests Tigers, the Gold Coast Titans flatlined to finish with their biggest ever defeat at home in the club’s short history.

And without eight members of their starting line-up last Monday night, Cronulla suffered their heaviest loss to Canterbury in 47-years.

Bob Fulton and Ray Hadley say there is a serious lack of depth to contemplate expansion.

Rugby League Immortal Bob Fulton said a serious lack of depth of talent is the issue the game needs to address well before expansion or relocation talks begin.

So alarming is the inconsistency of playing talent, the former Manly champion said he is in no doubt that an expanded NRL competition would lead to further fan dissatisfaction and decreased interest in the game.

“There is not enough talent in the competition to take another 60 players out which, you’d need to form for two new clubs,’’ Fulton said.

“There is just not the depth of talent and the product would be eroded to the point of even worse television ratings, even worse score lines and worse crowds.

“It’s all well and good to say we need a second team in Brisbane, but what we really need to be saying is we a second strong team in Brisbane.

“We have this level of players right now, which is close to consistent but as soon as you get a few injuries the standard of play drops alarmingly. Particularly if you lose one or two of your x-factor players out of your team.

“We’re a long, long way from expansion, at least another five years.’’

Former NSW Origin and Test coach Ricky Stuart said the length of the current season — 26 rounds — coupled with the new rules, which has sped up the game, should also be considered when expansion plans are tabled.

Ricky Stuart believes the NRL should be focused on other issues before an expansion plan is tabled. Picture: Zak Simmonds.

“The season is too long, there’s too many games and with the game now faster than ever before, the attrition rate will be like we’ve never seen before,’’ Stuart said.

“So with that comes the forced promotion of players from the junior level who are not conditioned for NRL.

“We should be focusing on keeping our aged players, of early thirties, in the game longer before we talk about expanding the competition, which in essence would only dilute the talent.’’

NSW State of Origin captain Paul Gallen entered the debate on radio last week, admitting that as a player there is a major concern with the quality of playing talent in the game.

“I hear about expansion of the game and how we want another team in and without being rude, there’s just not enough good players to fill another team,’’ Gallen told 2KY’s Big Sports Breakfast.

“You’re not going to find another 25 to 30 first graders who are going to be able to compete week in, week out.’’

At least 12 NRL clubs currently sit on or below the financial breadline, forcing the NRL to consider the possible relocation of teams, highlighted by reports last week that the Wests Tigers could be moved to Perth, while last year the Sharks were identified for a future home in Rockhampton.

2GB’s leading commentator Ray Hadley has been calling rugby league for 27 years and said the NRL needed to push expansion plans back to 2018, while also warning of the dangers associated with uprooting teams.

“There should be a period of consolidation,’’ Hadley said.

“The last time they expanded the competition to 20 teams it was a disaster.

“They’ve (NRL) got new rules, a whole new regime who have changed the game, so put expansion plans back four years and don’t even think about it.

“Not enough good players to fill a team,” says Paul Gallen. Picture: Matt King.

“And if they are to do it, concentrate on another team in Queensland, revisit the Central Coast with their own team as opposed to one transplanted from elsewhere.

“As far as relocation goes, it doesn’t work. Just look at Manly and the Northern Eagles.

“And I don’t think Sydney Swans or Brisbane Lions supporters in the AFL identify with Fitzroy or South Melbourne either.”

St George-Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust said that ahead of expansion, the ‘quality of the product needed to be of greatest concern’.

“We can’t afford to add teams to he competition at this point in time because our priority is to make what we’ve got more sustainable, I think it’s been well documented that we need to do some investing in growth before we can expect to be able to afford any additional teams,’’ Doust said.

“While a national footprint notionally has a solid flavour to it, I just don’t think we have the capacity short-term to think about that. “Sustainability needs to be at the top of the list.’’

However, Peter Mulholland, the inaugural coach of Perth’s now defunct Western Reds franchise, which was established in 1995, was of an opposing view.

“It might not be the intense competition that you want it to be, but it’s about opportunities,’’ Mulholland said.

“The under 20s competition has given us opportunity to school kids better and to develop them better than any other competition.

“Surely, that should pay dividends to expand.’’