NRL Expansion: Two partners in a league marriage is hard enough ... Jets and Firehawks try to make it three

If you thought getting married on the spot and getting to know you later is tough on television then imagine what it’s like in the heat of an NRL expansion battle, says ROBERT CRADDOCK.

Rugby league must guard against its expansion project morphing into the game’s version of Married At First Sight.

As in conjuring a rushed, contrived marriage then having to sort out later whether the couple actually like each other ... thinking of the interests of a wider audience rather than whether the couple have natural synergy.

The notable thing about the three expansion bids – the Dolphins, the Firehawks and the Brisbane Jets - is the presence of admirable, long-committed souls who have either been hammering on the NRL door for over a decade or spending much of their working lives in the sport.

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Nick Livermore and the Brisbane Jets are set to join forces with a rival bid.

In a world full of snatch and grab operators, these hearty souls have admirably stayed the course for many years but are suddenly playing the shortest of short games as a shotgun wedding suddenly vaults into play.

Already there has been one merger between franchises, from Brisbane and Ipswich, to form the Jets and now, as they try and edge past the juggernaut Redcliffe bid, the sum of that merger is in feverish talks with the Firehawks for another merger so, effectively, three bids could become one.

It sounds complex. It is complex. Right down to where they are based, who puts in the money, where they play and who do they actually represent?

The bids have reportedly got the vibe that alone they won’t beat Redcliffe, but together they are a chance.

Sounds great in theory but there are countless threads to be ironed out. If they can pull it off, it will be a reward for a decade or more of solid grind, but the vast complexity of it makes it an enormous challenge.

THE CROWING ROOSTER

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has been tipped to cop a huge fine for his massive spray at the NRL bunker, but surely the truth of his words should be a mitigating factor in his favour.

Robinson was beyond furious at the sinbinning of Latrell Mitchell after his brutal high shot on Joey Manu and the merit of his outburst was vindicated with Mitchell copping a six-week ban and referee Henry Perenara subsequently banished from the bunker.

We do not live in Soviet Russia, nor modern China. Each case should be judged on its merits.

This was not a case of reckless rhetoric. Robinson was entitled to be furious. He deserves a warning but not a fine.

Trent Robinson was entitled to be furious.

TELEVISION TUSSLE

The next free-to-air television rights package shapes as one of the most interesting for many years and cuts to the heart of what means most to the game … dollars, eyeballs or profile.

Channel 7 and 10 will join Nine in a bidding war, with one likely outcome being the pie will be split at least two ways. There is a strong chance that one network will land the State of Origin but not the NRL.

Ten are likely to have most cash but is a lower rating network than the other two, which worries league bosses.

Seven will have a dart at the State of Origin, but does league really want to share a station with the AFL?

Don’t underestimate’s Seven drive. For decades officials have sat in meetings and heard figures about how well Origin rates and big voices consistently chime in with ‘how do we get some of that?’’

HEY PRESTO

One of the joys at seeing young Jayden Campbell shining for the Gold Coast Titans is that it brings back so many sweet memories of his father, Preston.

It is appropriate that Jayden should surge to prominence this year as it is the 20th anniversary of his father’s win in the Dally M medal.

The merit of the win was underscored by the identity of the second placegetter, Andrew Johns, who finished a vote behind him.

Originally published as NRL Expansion: Two partners in a league marriage is hard enough ... Jets and Firehawks try to make it three