Expanded 18-team competition and two new conferences would bring back tribalism to NRL
AN expanded 18-team competition with two new teams and two new conferences would bring back tribalism to the NRL, writes Phil Rothfield.
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AN expanded 18-team competition with two new teams and two new conferences would bring back tribalism and blockbusters to the NRL almost every weekend of the footy season.
It would also allow the NRL to produce a fairer and more equitable season draw, replacing the current lopsided schedule with 25 rounds of football and stand alone Origin weekends.
New clubs from Brisbane and Perth would not only provide an extra game and more television revenue but allow all nine Sydney teams to go into their own conference.
DO YOU AGREE? BLOG WITH BUZZ HERE
BUZZ: DRAW DEBACLE ROBS TOP TEAMS
Almost every week would become a heritage round with more derbies and traditional-rival showdowns.
It would give Sydney clubs the chance to attract more away-team fans, unlike now when they host the Titans, Cowboys, Warriors or any of the out-of-town teams in front of 10,000 to 12,000 fans.
Clubs in each conference would play each other twice for 16 games before meeting clubs from the out-of-town conference once for nine games.
The top four clubs from each conference make up the top eight.
The Penrith Panthers are a good example of why the game needs to revamp the schedule.
Here’s a club trying to fight off the AFL threat and desperately working to build on sluggish crowds from recent years.
Yet they host only five Sydney teams this season at Sportingbet Stadium.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? BLOG WITH BUZZ ALL DAY
Glamour clubs the Roosters and Sea Eagles plus the exciting young Wests Tigers don’t play at Penrith at all.
The conference idea has the support of influential figures including super coach Wayne Bennett and the game’s longest serving CEO, Shane Richardson.
It saves all the Sydney clubs, maintains tradition and guarantees four Sydney clubs make the finals each year.
It ensures national and regional exposure from four out-of-town clubs in the finals every year.
The other benefits are less travel and accommodation costs for Sydney clubs.
The Perth team would open up new timeslot for TV broadcasters.
The second Brisbane team ensures we don’t have to watch the Broncos every Friday night and also stops the Broncos from having such a huge commercial monopoly.
Stand-alone Origin weekends could be used to play the Nines and City-Country to keep the broadcasters happy.
The NRL’s head of football Todd Greenberg says expansion will be discussed in the off-season.
“I get where you are going,” he said, “The problem is whether we can sustain two new clubs in those markets.
“Is there enough talent to go around for another two teams? But you’re right to be exploring it.
“As for conferences, it’s important to maximise the attendances by having our big Sydney clubs playing against each other.
“We’re still trying to find the right balance. Everyone at the NRL is working very hard and we’re open to all suggestions.”
Premier coach Trent Robinson argues there is enough players to support two new teams.
“This is a good debate to have,” he said, “ I think Brisbane having a second team and Perth is vital for the future of our game.
“We’ve got to back ourselves to produce more players.
“I disagree we don’t have enough. In Australia and New Zealand, there is enough talent there.
“We’ve got enough good coaches out there to put good systems in place at two new clubs.”
Souths boss Shane Richardson supports the idea of a Sydney conference.
“It would certainly build sustained rivalries in the Sydney market and enable the NRL to build marquee events such as our Heritage round at the SCG and Good Friday at ANZ stadium on an annual basis with more of the clubs,” he said.
“The artificial way we conduct the draw at the moment needs a revamp at the very least.”
Why critics are wrong about Parramatta’s Addo-Carr gamble
Eels fans were quick to voice their disapproval of the club’s signing of Josh Addo-Carr. What they failed to consider is the upside that could make the former rep winger one of the bargain buys of the season, writes Brent Read.
Bold roster calls that will make or break Ryles’ Parra rebuild
New Eels coach Jason Ryles has overseen one of the most ruthless roster overhauls by a rookie coach in recent memory. And he’s not done yet, writes David Riccio.