NRL 2024: ARLC chairman Peter V’landys believes the NRL is ready to expand to 18 teams

The NRL is stronger than ever - and ready to expand once again, according to Peter V’landys. And here’s the proof that he’s right about the game’s booming success.

These are the statistics which prove the NRL is as strong as it’s ever been and convinced Peter V’landys the competition is ready to expand into an 18-team league.

The ARL Commission will hold its final meeting of the year this month and expansion is set to be on the agenda following a blockbuster 2023 season.

V’landys has garnered support from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, including a $600 million government commitment, to launch a new NRL club with links to Papua New Guinea from as early as 2026.

The NRL expanded for the first time since 2007 (Gold Coast Titans) this year, with the introduction of the Redcliffe-based Dolphins creating a 17-team competition.

There were fears the Dolphins could dilute the game’s talent pool and negatively impact the competition, but that wasn’t the case as the 2023 season proved to be one of the most tightly fought in NRL history.

Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins were an instant hit in the NRL. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

ARLC chairman V’landys said that gave the Commission confidence the NRL could handle an 18th team.

“Absolutely,” he said when asked if the results were a shot in the arm for expansion.

“It proved everything we said was correct. That’s the beauty of it. It’s added another dimension.

“I’ve been a St George supporter all my life, now a bit of me goes for the Dolphins and I think there’s a lot of people like me.

“The competition last season was at its peak. What I’m concerned about is being able to replicate it again in 2024 because it was so good.”

The Commission implemented significant rule changes in 2020 aimed at arresting the wrestling phenomenon that had crept into the game since the early 2000s.

The flow-on effect of that resulted in more blowout contests in 2021-22, with the average margin of matches being 18 and 16.24 points per game those seasons.

This year’s average margin of 14.95 points per game was a return to pre-pandemic levels, but also coincided with an average of 45.29 points being scored per game – the second-highest result in nearly 20 years.

That increase in points being scored, while keeping margins tight, was box office gold for the NRL, leading to more engaging contests, bigger crowds and booming television ratings.

V’landys believes the players and clubs have now adapted to the rule changes, like the set restart, and are creating a better product.

“People have got used to all the rule changes,” he said.

“That’s made the game more unpredictable, faster and more entertaining. That’s why people are watching it more on TV and going to the games.

“It took a year or so for those rules to consolidate and people to get used to the new speeds.

“What the rule changes have done is brought in the exciting players like Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga. All those exciting players have come to the fore when there’s a bit of fatigue. That’s the entertainment factor.

“It brings those players that people want to see into the game. That’s the secret of it.

“The headache I’m taking Panadol for is to make sure it’s as good in 2024, if not better.”

Speed machines like Reece Walsh have more room to move. Picture: Getty Images

The introduction of the Dolphins created 12 more games in the NRL this year (213) compared to last year (201), but there were 11 fewer games decided by 13+ points (109-98). That meant the games decided by 12 points or less increased from 92 in 2022 to 115 this year.

NRL chief Andrew Abdo said the fans had embraced the closer competition, which culminated in one of the most incredible grand finals between premiers Penrith and the Broncos.

“The main focus for us is to make sure our fans get a great experience,” he said.

“They responded really positively this year. We had record ratings and wonderful crowd attendance. We averaged almost 20,000 a match, which was the highest it’s been in many years.

“The fans were responding to great football and credit has to go to the clubs and players because it was a wonderful season. All of the players really shone and we saw some amazing games.

“A third of the NRL matches were decided by less than six points, we had a number go to golden point and some phenomenal contests in terms of ebbs and flows.

“That’s great for our sport because it shows how competitive the competition is but also how engaging and entertaining it is, which is great for the fans.”

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo are thrilled with the 2023 season. Picture: Getty Images

The Commission will discuss potential rule changes for the 2024 season at its final meeting of the year.

There has been suggestions of the five-minute sin bin returning amid other potential changes to further improve the game.

One thing that won’t be up for discussion is the captain’s challenge, which is here to stay.

Statistics from last season showed Manly was the king of the captain’s challenge, with a 65 per cent success rate from 20 challenges, just edging out Brisbane (64 per cent from 25 challenges).

The Raiders were the worst at the challenge, winning just 20 per cent of challenges from 15 attempts, also a league low.

“It’s here to stay, there’s been no feedback or consideration of altering it,” Abdo said.

“It adds another dimension to the game and is good for the players to get some say and accountability.

“We’ve seen the success rate of the captain’s challenge improve year-on-year, so the players have got better at using it, and it assists the referees as well.”