The Rocket
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Posts posted by The Rocket
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9 minutes ago, eal said:
https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/inside-the-growing-unease-around-png-expansion
I doubt the PNG NRL project will ever happen. It would be much more sensible for the NRL to invest in a professional domestic league for the country and instead focus on another NZ team. Even if this project does get off the ground, it will never attract elite players and PNG is decades away from providing elite players itself.
Have you watched any of the Digicel Cup, decades it won`t, with the money they are investing in pathways now the 15 and 16 year olds they`ll be exposing to NRL junior representative standard training there could well be a flood of quality players coming out of PNG by the end of the decade. After that the only way will be up.
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If you`re betting on it, you can be pretty sure you`re watching it and talking about it.
New Zealand Rugby has become a bloated and dysfunctional mess - it must change to save itself
"What I do know, for example, is that the volume of NRL bets placed with New Zealand’s TAB dwarfs those on rugby.
"You might think, so what? But, to me, that’s just one tangible example that NZR is losing the local sports market."
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On 09/05/2025 at 16:43, Anita Bath said:
Developing player pathways will not be easy in a region dominated by AFL and its own AFL competition.
$6m/annum alone from the WA Gov`t invested in pathways is a great start. And the promise to invest in formal school Touch, Tag and Tackle competitions augurs well for a rapid expansion in junior numbers.
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‘Big ambitions’: Meet the man touted to lead the Perth Bears
‘Big ambitions’: Meet the man touted to lead the Perth Bears
Prominent Western Australian Peter Tinley says he is flattered to be mentioned as a candidate to become the inaugural Perth Bears chairman and says he will do everything possible to ensure rugby league is a success in the state if offered the role.
After a distinguished career serving in the Australian army SAS Commander turned his attention to politics, was appointed to cabinet in 2017 and served as a Minister from 2017 to 2021 in a range of portfolios.
The 62-year-old, who recently retired from politics, has been one of the driving forces behind the scenes in ensuring a Perth-based side returned to the NRL.
“Peter Tinley is a candidate, absolutely,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said on Thursday when asked about the Bears chairmanship.
Pressed on whether he would be interested in the challenge, the former Labor MP said: “My entire life has been in service, both in uniform and in parliament in a different uniform.
“I see this as a service to Western Australia that I would be very keen to take on if I was ever asked.”
“I have absolutely no question that Perth, Western Australia, is ready to join the NRL competition,” Tinley said.
“We have a state that is jumping out of its skin, is in rude health economically and thirsty for action.
“I’d remind people that 30 years ago, when the Western Reds were running around, that we had 1.1 million people in Perth, 20 000 members and 15,000 players. We now have three million people in Western Australia.
“If I was ever involved, I’d have big ambitions about what we could do this time.”
I like the cut of his jib.
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Part of the Rugby League DNA now.
"The WA Government will also work with the Club and ARLC to grow junior participation in the game, including expanding formal touch, tag and tackle rugby league programs in Western Australia’s public schools."
This is how to introduce and grow the game.
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14 minutes ago, JonM said:
Is there an announced name? Perth Bears. Western Bears, West Coast Bears, Perth-Fremantle-Rockingham-North Sydney Bears?
True would have been nice to have a name associated with WA but it appears that most League fans in WA are quite happy to have the name if it means having a team.
I`m gonna wear my tattered Bears jersey to work tomorrow purchased in the early 90`s. It`s a beauty, heavy cotton, three quarter sleeves, that tiny collar and rubbery buttons that jersey`s used to have. Nb. I only ever bought it because they didn`t have a Magpies` one. But hey who cares, this is a day of celebration for all Rugby League fans.
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4 minutes ago, JonM said:
Is there an announced name? Perth Bears. Western Bears, West Coast Bears, Perth-Fremantle-Rockingham-North Sydney Bears?
Yeah it`s definitely Perth Bears.
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Very pleasing it seems that the $200m upgrade of HBF Park seems to be unofficially part of the deal. Cook has been clever in not including this as part of the `official` deal to prevent the usual trouble makers crying foul about too much money being spent on the rival code.
$85m is a big whack of money, $285m huge, will go a long way to V`landys desire of seeing 70% of game-day revenue being achievable through corporates and make the place a better ground to attract fans in general. Newcastle (NSW) born Cook has stated previously he wants this to be Perth`s equivalent of Commbank.
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On 03/05/2025 at 01:54, Dave T said:
Whilst I agree with the point overall - we do have quite a long history of lying about ticket sales.
How many times have we been told we are getting x thousand and then it falls short.
We'll get a test this weekend - he claimed we'll get 65k, I won't be surprised if it's up to 5k below that.
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7 minutes ago, lucky 7 said:
I expect the fumbleball forums will go into meldown mode when this is announced
Wait until they see Thursdays The Australian, full front page "Welcome the Perth Bears" spread apparently.
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On 04/05/2025 at 22:18, Pulga said:
NRL, WA government strike $85 million funding deal for grassroots investment, Centre of Excellence
Apparently Thursday is the big day when the announcement will be made.
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Why can’t we be friends? Twiggy sees opportunities for Force and Perth Bears
"In Perth, the creation of the Bears could even be an existential threat for the Force, who’ve had the city to themselves as a rugby code since 2006. The Force, who are averaging around 7000 fans to home games this year, have a supporter base comprising a mix of locals and New Zealand, English and South African expats.
"The Force are viewing it in a different way, however. They believe the Bears’ arrival can provide an opportunity to work together, so both codes can thrive in the state."
7000 after 20 years. Dream on.
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2 hours ago, Pulga said:
I found this on a BYD article completely by accident a few weeks ago.
Salford would be spare change to him.
To be perfectly frank, I don`t think billionaires think in the terms of spare change, that`s how they get to be billionaires, if Politis is thinking about this and has talked to the commission, he is taking it seriously.
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Roosters' Super League plan revealed
The Sydney Roosters could be set to purchase the Salford Red Devils and rebrand them.
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1 hour ago, Henson Park Old Firm said:
Because owning a a team in the Aleague is liking me or you owning a monkey... its very exotic and a little bit crazy.
Just not illegal.
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11 hours ago, Damien said:
I agree on Christchurch, it should be a no brainer.
8 hours ago, DoubleD said:Let's be honest, if there was a standout, cashed up, viable bid from NZ, it would have likely already been approved for expansion. Perth and PNG got the jump on them, however the former negotiated a far smaller intro fee than originally expected. This actually gives hope to the 3 NZ bids, as the intro fee they will need to stump up will likely be lower, given what has happened with Perth.
I expect Vlandys will be looking for the 3 bidders to fight it out and one to come up on top as a clear standout bid
The problem for NZ2 at the moment is that it seems that none of the bids have any serious financial backing.
They may be able to do some rental agreement with the New Zealand Gov`t around the new stadium so it has another large crowd drawing tenant and possibly a trade-off with bringing more games there a-la Perth.
I do wonder what we are seeing in Perth maybe the template for future expansion with the NRL having control for a set period or until the operation is up and running and can then be offloaded to investors.
So do we expect to see Perth bedded in then sold off just in time to get the ball rolling on NZ2 based out of Christchurch and NZ`s southern island. I think it`s a real possibility.
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2 hours ago, Damien said:
Wouldn't they just parachute people or appoint people to run it in Perth? That's what I assumed but maybe I'm wrong.
Nah your right, that`s exactly what I`ve been reading as well.
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11 hours ago, Copa said:
I suspect it’s going to be ridiculous in the Sydney media (the main NRL media) as the time approaches for the Bears return. For some it will be about North Sydney Bears returning instead of Perth getting a team.
Yes it will be ridiculous, and it will be fever pitch, but no question the first game should be at Optus in Perth and they will sell it out with 65 000 and hopefully win over a whole lot of casuals that will go for the event.
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12 hours ago, Pulga said:
Adelaide really doesn't have to have a team if we're honest.
A State of nearly 2 million, a city of 1.5m, the Rams one of the few Super League clubs that was profitable before being shut-down due to the Super-League war settlement.
Given what else having an NRL team and developing a League fanbase brings to the NRL, like more scope for big events/ matches outside of NRL (and the windfalls associated with that), I think they`d seriously have to consider it. I`m sure Adelaide will start agitating once they see Perth take off and the financial benefits to that State.
Btw. I love the Rams moniker as well, but in saying that South Oz is the home of our space industry in this country, Adelaide Jets mayhap, anyway that`s by-the by.
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12 hours ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:
Really hope NZ2 is next. That would be huge for the international game.
If it's not, I'm not sure when it will come. Can't see expansion beyond 20 for a very very long time unless there's another sudden influx of cash and players from this current expansion effort. Be interesting to see who would be considered next. Brisbane 3? Adelaide? Cairns? Darwin? Central Coast? Sunshine Coast?
Out of interest, how have the traditional North Sydney fans responded to this? Happy they're back as a brand or annoyed they've been relocated?
99 % will be over the moon.
Annoying though to see in yesterday`s East Coast headlines things like " North Sydney Bears back in the NRL" and "Bears supporters get their North Sydney Bears back". I suppose initially this was inevitable, but it would be nice to see Perth or W.A. get more of a mention. That should come once they get it in their head the team will be based out of Perth first and foremost.
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Smell the fear.
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15 hours ago, JonM said:
That's very impressive. I remember they had over 50k for this game as a one of a decade or so back and it's been around 35K the last two seasons. What's changed this year - is it just that Canterbury are unbeaten and top of the table? Or something else?
Yeah totally that, the Bulldogs do seem to have a very strong connection with their community and having been through some lean years they are really coming out in force. Souths despite injuries are having a pretty good start to the year as well, but I`d guess it could easily be a 70/30 Bulldogs dominated crowd though.
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42 minutes ago, JonM said:
I look forward to the Kangaroos moans about the pitch surroundings at Everton.
Congratulations on the Test match ticket sales but I can assure you there`s not much moaning going on over here today, it appears that Good Friday`s Bulldogs/Souths match is set to break the all-time regular season crowd figure of 59 700 with estimates being made, given bays that are being released now at Accor, that suggest 70 000 is definitely doable. Earlier tonight some of the top bays have been thrown open with $10 seats in what some are seeing as the Dogs going for an 80 00 sell-out.
Congratulations again and great news for League in both hemispheres.
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1 hour ago, Whippet13 said:
Apparently, the NRL (not the IRL, of course) are in talks over RLWC TV coverage with Aus channels 7/9 but also with DAZN and Amazon Pime for the international coverage, looking for 20 million AusD, around 10 million GBP.
Seven paid $10m Oz in 2017, so that would be quite the uplift.
The RLWC fills in a nice gap between the end of the winter codes and the beginning of the cricket. Throw in the competitiveness of Samoa, Tonga, PNG on the up and all of a sudden we have a tournament that could provide some great match-ups - if not blockbusters - not only in the pool stages but particularly the quarter finals, semi-finals and of course final. A win by England later this year would really set the whole thing up nicely.
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NRLW 2025 - Has to be the best season ever
in The General Rugby League Forum
Posted
Pretty incredible that over 2.1m tuned in at some stage.