NRL 2023: Why Adelaide must be part of expansion plans as NRL eyes 18th team

Is it time to bring back the Rams? It’s been 25 years since Adelaide had a top flight team and now is the right time to bring rugby league back to the City of Churches.

The Adelaide Rams in 1998.

A $45 billion naval shipbuilding project, a planned hydrogen power plant and the state’s pivotal role in Australia’s space race has Adelaide ready to become the NRL’s next expansion franchise.

That is the opinion of former Manly and Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer, now CEO of the South Australian Jockey Club. Mayer said Adelaide had emerged as a “corporate hub” which would attract a massive number of interstate employees, many being NRL supporters.

The influx of new workers from the rugby league-dominated east coast should be a strong consideration when the ARL Commission determines the game’s 18th club.

ADELAIDE DESERVES A SEAT AT EXPANSION TABLE

South Australia is heading a $45b shipbuilding deal, is pushing ahead with plans to build a hydrogen power plant in Whyalla and will play a key role in the country’s space industry.

“We have to be aware that Adelaide is becoming this corporate hub for the construction of defence force submarines and frigates so the amount of people coming to the state from around the country means there is a different appetite for different sport,” said Mayer, a former Catalans Dragons chief executive in France, former operations manager at Canterbury Bulldogs and ex-boss of A-League franchise, Adelaide United.

“The state is building the new-age frigates for the Australian Navy and also doing the submarines under the AUKUS deal. There is absolutely an investment by the state to get qualified people here to build this new technology.

Josh Papalii and the Maroons run out at Adelaide Oval in 2020. Picture: Getty

“South Australia has put its hand up for a number of things. It’s going to be home for a hydrogen energy development in the country. They are trying to create a hydrogen plant here which is fundamentally going to be an alternate source of energy.

“The state has already put its hand up for the space race in Australia, to be the home of the Australian space industry.

“There is a whole range of different organisations and businesses that are moving to South Australia and that creates a great opportunity to expand the sporting offering. We have to be thinking about that.

“People will come here to work from all over the country and they’re not necessarily going to have AFL as their first-choice sport. So, by providing them with a choice, it’s a good opportunity.

“The government here is very keen to bring new people to the state. With that comes an opportunity to grow and diversify the sporting offering. On top of that, there is a very clear growth agenda from the government regarding tourism.

“And over the last few months you can lean back and look at the amount of people that came into the state for Gather Round (AFL) and LIV (golf). That shows people are desperate to consume South Australia.”

The Adelaide Rams in 1998.

STORM THE BLUEPRINT FOR ADELAIDE

Mayer was talking ahead of Wednesday night’s big State of Origin game at Adelaide Oval.

The battle has started for the 18th franchise with the Bears early favourites along with bids from a Pacific team and another club in Brisbane. Perth’s bid has stalled with Adelaide rarely mentioned.

Mayer offered a robust argument for South Australia to be considered 25 years after the Adelaide Rams were wound up.

“The reality is that ‘live-ability’ here is amazing. Adelaide isn’t as far as Perth and it would give the NRL that national footprint they are desperate for,” Mayer said

“And not everyone wants to play AFL, so giving young kids an opportunity to look at a different sport is important. The Melbourne Storm is a great example of that. They have built over time and success has obviously helped them.

“They could have two or three years of building and then success after that.

“A purpose-built rectangular stadium would be ideal too. That has also been a very topical issue down here. Soccer would come out and say the same thing: it’s time for a rectangular stadium to host rugby league, rugby union and soccer games.”

Mayer won titles as CEO at Manly and Adelaide United.

“If Adelaide was a real chance to be an NRL expansion team, they would have to have a long-term plan to do what the AFL has done with the GWS Giants. There could be an early struggle to create an audience but I think the long-term benefits are well worth it if they stick with it,” he said.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Why Adelaide must be part of expansion plans as NRL eyes 18th team