NRL expansion (Merged Threads)

Worzel · February 26

9 minutes ago, back in the day said:

Hugely disappointing if true.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/02/27/nrl-news-vlandys-vetoes-expansion-plans-brown-offered-richest-deal-in-history-burgess-gets-vegas-visa-verdict/

There’s no change here. PVL has been pretty consistent that 20 teams is a stretch in this cycle, and nothing in this article says anything new about their desire for a 19th team: They put WA negotiations on hold because of the election (it wasn’t helpful for Labour for the Libs to be able to hit them over the head with it), and will inevitably be picked up when that’s done.

Things are exactly as they were a few weeks back. That deal will get done.

Treizistance · February 26

5 minutes ago, Worzel said:

There’s no change here. PVL has been pretty consistent that 20 teams is a stretch in this cycle, and nothing in this article says anything new about their desire for a 19th team: They put WA negotiations on hold because of the election (it wasn’t helpful for Labour for the Libs to be able to hit them over the head with it), and will inevitably be picked up when that’s done.

Things are exactly as they were a few weeks back. That deal will get done.

This. The Roar has selectively chosen their quotes from the Daily Telegraph article...

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fnrl-expansion-plans-on-hold-as-peter-vlandys-prepares-for-tv-rights-talks%2Fnews-story%2Ffd2f1ace766434e9999a81f97284ae34&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=HIGH-Segment-2-SCORE

There are fears the state-backed WA bid could also fall through, but V’landys is adamant the Western Bears are not dead.

“We’re going to go to the broadcasters with a format for 18, 19 or maybe 20 teams. At this stage it’s either 18 or 19,” V’landys said.

V'landys is adamant the state-backed Western Bears expansion bid is not dead.

“For the next broadcast cycle, we will have either 18 or 19 teams, we will finalise that sooner rather than later.

“We downed our tools on Perth a few weeks ago.

“We gave a commitment to the WA government that we would put our tools down and respect it as an election process. Once the election process is over, we will get our tools again and recommence discussions.

“I am confident it (the Western Bears bid) will progress. They (WA government) will see the biggest beneficiary is WA with the economic benefit to Western Australia.”

Worzel · February 26

1 minute ago, Treizistance said:

This. The Roar has selectively chosen their quotes from the Daily Telegraph article...

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fnrl-expansion-plans-on-hold-as-peter-vlandys-prepares-for-tv-rights-talks%2Fnews-story%2Ffd2f1ace766434e9999a81f97284ae34&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=HIGH-Segment-2-SCORE

There are fears the state-backed WA bid could also fall through, but V’landys is adamant the Western Bears are not dead.

“We’re going to go to the broadcasters with a format for 18, 19 or maybe 20 teams. At this stage it’s either 18 or 19,” V’landys said.

V'landys is adamant the state-backed Western Bears expansion bid is not dead.

V'landys is adamant the state-backed Western Bears expansion bid is not dead.

“For the next broadcast cycle, we will have either 18 or 19 teams, we will finalise that sooner rather than later.

“We downed our tools on Perth a few weeks ago.

“We gave a commitment to the WA government that we would put our tools down and respect it as an election process. Once the election process is over, we will get our tools again and recommence discussions.

“I am confident it (the Western Bears bid) will progress. They (WA government) will see the biggest beneficiary is WA with the economic benefit to Western Australia.”

V’landys has to say he is open to sticking with 18 teams, otherwise he isn’t having a negotiaton with WA Govt, he’d have no leverage. It’s precisely what he’s always said.

These stories are a nothingburger

Sports Prophet · March 14

Well, there is a lot of expansion talk for the NRL. Vegas, USA, London, SL. All very exciting isn’t it?

All very exciting except that the NRL are not progressing very well with their own NRL expansion plans at home.

What was meant to be a certainty less than six months ago for a Perth Bears bid to become club 18/19 has gone from a phone call from Peter Beattie the week of the NRL GF, congratulating the bid chiefs on their successful submission and entry as club 18, to a farce.

PVL has gone from banking a brand new team with commitment from RL friendly premier of inside reports of $500m for infrastructure and grass roots development of RL in Perth and WA, to a last minute turnaround, looking to run a new franchise internally with state government backing.

The NRLs failure to get this new club announced before an election, coupled with a last minute cash grab for a $200m licence fee payable by the State government, nonsensically leaked to the media during a state election is now likely to blow up in PVL’s face.

The re-elected Premier Roger Cook was backed in a corner, forced into responding to cross party accusations of wasting public money on the NRL and even since his re-election is facing a fierce liberal supporting media calling out the Premier for making a deal with the NRL prior to the election.

The state government investment originally penned is now likely to be a small fraction of what would have been achieved without trying to hold that government over a barrel. The WA Gov’t have rightly called the NRLs bluff and stated “the NRL needs us, more than the people of WA needs the NRL”.

Meanwhile, PVLs persistent, childlike need to publicly chip away at their major competitor the AFL as seen most recently this week on NRL 360, may well get chuckles of support from the hard nosed, blue collar, anti AFL supporter base in Sydney, but it does nothing to build relations with key stakeholders in expansion markets.

Meanwhile that very same competitor goes about its business, without biting, focusing on delivering to its own strengths. No NRL match in Sydney has come close to the 40,000 which attended the Swans last week and worse still, excluding Vegas, only two 2025 season NRL fixtures to date have exceeded the 19k+ crowd figure for GWSs opening season fixture. 23k at the Roosters and the same in Melbourne. Matches in Manly, Kogarah and Campbeltown all falling short.

Not that you will hear about any of this in the Sydney or Brisbane media.

The Rocket · March 14

55 minutes ago, Sports Prophet said:

Well, there is a lot of expansion talk for the NRL. Vegas, USA, London, SL. All very exciting isn’t it?

All very exciting except that the NRL are not progressing very well with their own NRL expansion plans at home.

What was meant to be a certainty less than six months ago for a Perth Bears bid to become club 18/19 has gone from a phone call from Peter Beattie the week of the NRL GF, congratulating the bid chiefs on their successful submission and entry as club 18, to a farce.

PVL has gone from banking a brand new team with commitment from RL friendly premier of inside reports of $500m for infrastructure and grass roots development of RL in Perth and WA, to a last minute turnaround, looking to run a new franchise internally with state government backing.

The NRLs failure to get this new club announced before an election, coupled with a last minute cash grab for a $200m licence fee payable by the State government, nonsensically leaked to the media during a state election is now likely to blow up in PVL’s face.

The re-elected Premier Roger Cook was backed in a corner, forced into responding to cross party accusations of wasting public money on the NRL and even since his re-election is facing a fierce liberal supporting media calling out the Premier for making a deal with the NRL prior to the election.

The state government investment originally penned is now likely to be a small fraction of what would have been achieved without trying to hold that government over a barrel. The WA Gov’t have rightly called the NRLs bluff and stated “the NRL needs us, more than the people of WA needs the NRL”.

Meanwhile, PVLs persistent, childlike need to publicly chip away at their major competitor the AFL as seen most recently this week on NRL 360, may well get chuckles of support from the hard nosed, blue collar, anti AFL supporter base in Sydney, but it does nothing to build relations with key stakeholders in expansion markets.

. No NRL match in Sydney has come close to the 40,000 which attended the Swans last week and worse still, excluding Vegas, only two 2025 season NRL fixtures to date have exceeded the 19k+ crowd figure for GWSs opening season fixture. 23k at the Roosters and the same in Melbourne. Matches in Manly, Kogarah and Campbeltown all falling short.

Not that you will hear about any of this in the Sydney or Brisbane media.

You are so wrong it is laughable.

Where do I start. Ok, according to sources close to the bid the deal with the West Australian Gov`t is done. The panic by the fumbles, Seven and fumble loving fans and the oppostion trying to make this an election issue left Cook no choice but to make out this was far from a done deal and now he has to let it wait a few weeks before the announcement so as not to appear deceitful. Most are expecting some time around the two NRL and SOO match to be held in Perth for there now to be an announcement.

1 hour ago, Sports Prophet said:

Meanwhile that very same competitor goes about its business, without biting, focusing on delivering to its own strengths.

^ This is the best bit. I can understand you not knowing about the former but this. The panic and hand-wringing that has been going on in fumble media because of the jump the NRL got on it with the Vegas venture has been priceless. The amount of madcap schemes that have been floated to try and gain some media has been laughable, not to mention the condemnation of their farcical round zero or whatever what it was called. And the best part is there is absolutely nothing they can do. Mind you there has been calls for more combines in the US to "internationalise" the game.

And as far as crowds Melbourne Storm record round one crowd, gws midgets 19k announced (ha bloody ha) about 10k melburnites and god knows how many freebies, but who cares.

TV ratings;

In total, last weekend’s two NRL matches were watched by viewing audiences of:

more than 2 million in Australia
more than 400K in the United States
more than 550K in New Zealand
England 350k
144 m or 2 400 000 hours of streaming on Kayo for the day. A record for any sport on Foxtel.

Fumbles opening game 651 000. Bloody terrible.

Quietly going about your business, what a hoot.

lucky 7 · March 14

1 hour ago, The Rocket said:

You are so wrong it is laughable.

Where do I start. Ok, according to sources close to the bid the deal with the West Australian Gov`t is done. The panic by the fumbles, Seven and fumble loving fans and the oppostion trying to make this an election issue left Cook no choice but to make out this was far from a done deal and now he has to let it wait a few weeks before the announcement so as not to appear deceitful. Most are expecting some time around the two NRL and SOO match to be held in Perth for there now to be an announcement.

^ This is the best bit. I can understand you not knowing about the former but this. The panic and hand-wringing that has been going on in fumble media because of the jump the NRL got on it with the Vegas venture has been priceless. The amount of madcap schemes that have been floated to try and gain some media has been laughable, not to mention the condemnation of their farcical round zero or whatever what it was called. And the best part is there is absolutely nothing they can do. Mind you there has been calls for more combines in the US to "internationalise" the game.

And as far as crowds Melbourne Storm record round one crowd, gws midgets 19k announced (ha bloody ha) about 10k melburnites and god knows how many freebies, but who cares.

TV ratings;

In total, last weekend’s two NRL matches were watched by viewing audiences of:

more than 2 million in Australia

more than 400K in the United States

more than 550K in New Zealand

England 350k

144 m or 2 400 000 hours of streaming on Kayo for the day. A record for any sport on Foxtel.

Fumbles opening game 651 000. Bloody terrible.

Quietly going about your business, what a hoot.

PVL has a 3 team plan to put the squeeze on the AFL in Australia, which is Perth, Brisbane 3 and NZ 2, which will halt any real further AFL expansion in QLD and the NZ thinking is to nip in the bud any plans the AFL had of having a team, and get in the faces of the AFL in Perth.

The PNG NRL team is causing AFL fans ulcers such is there fear of the NRL having another overseas team in the comp.

Edited March 14 by lucky 7

Treizistance · March 14

3 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

Well, there is a lot of expansion talk for the NRL. Vegas, USA, London, SL. All very exciting isn’t it?

All very exciting except that the NRL are not progressing very well with their own NRL expansion plans at home.

What was meant to be a certainty less than six months ago for a Perth Bears bid to become club 18/19 has gone from a phone call from Peter Beattie the week of the NRL GF, congratulating the bid chiefs on their successful submission and entry as club 18, to a farce.

PVL has gone from banking a brand new team with commitment from RL friendly premier of inside reports of $500m for infrastructure and grass roots development of RL in Perth and WA, to a last minute turnaround, looking to run a new franchise internally with state government backing.

The NRLs failure to get this new club announced before an election, coupled with a last minute cash grab for a $200m licence fee payable by the State government, nonsensically leaked to the media during a state election is now likely to blow up in PVL’s face.

The re-elected Premier Roger Cook was backed in a corner, forced into responding to cross party accusations of wasting public money on the NRL and even since his re-election is facing a fierce liberal supporting media calling out the Premier for making a deal with the NRL prior to the election.

The state government investment originally penned is now likely to be a small fraction of what would have been achieved without trying to hold that government over a barrel. The WA Gov’t have rightly called the NRLs bluff and stated “the NRL needs us, more than the people of WA needs the NRL”.

Meanwhile, PVLs persistent, childlike need to publicly chip away at their major competitor the AFL as seen most recently this week on NRL 360, may well get chuckles of support from the hard nosed, blue collar, anti AFL supporter base in Sydney, but it does nothing to build relations with key stakeholders in expansion markets.

Meanwhile that very same competitor goes about its business, without biting, focusing on delivering to its own strengths. No NRL match in Sydney has come close to the 40,000 which attended the Swans last week and worse still, excluding Vegas, only two 2025 season NRL fixtures to date have exceeded the 19k+ crowd figure for GWSs opening season fixture. 23k at the Roosters and the same in Melbourne. Matches in Manly, Kogarah and Campbeltown all falling short.

Not that you will hear about any of this in the Sydney or Brisbane media.

Utter nonsense. "Small fraction", are you being serious?

The comments about the FLA (trigger alert) focussing on it's own strengths and not biting is a funny one...

The much maligned 'Opening Round' is precisely the FLA saying to the NRL ‘You go on holidays, we’ll rob your house’

Sports Prophet, more like False Prophet. I'll take a namechange bet with you that WA Bears will be announced by Origin II, deal?

Sports Prophet · March 14

@The Rocket Perth was a “done deal” some time ago until it wasn’t. The NRL blunder to leak details of a large licence fee was there for all to see when the WA Premier during the election called the NRL dreamers and per the leaked financial requirements, the “deal is off”. Negotiations will continue but while both parties want a team in Perth, the financial details of such are far from agreed. What can’t be ignored is the WA chequebook has been sizeably reduced due to the NRLs mismanagement of this entire process. The WA government are now holding the best cards in negotiations, not the NRL.

As to fumble loving fans making a big election deal of the matter, the truth is, the overwhelming majority of WA public would up to that point have no knowledge that a new Perth based NRL team was even being negotiated. The WA public are not staunch against league, they just don’t have an opinion because it’s for the best part an anonymous sport to them.

Whilst the AFL supporting media may have been squirming about Vegas (I’ll have to take your word on that, I wouldn’t know),cooler heads hold the decision making seats at the AFL where I expect Vegas has hardly got a mention.

Evidence of the AFL simply going about themselves is about as clear as the video below and despite a jibe from the interviewer, it came with compliments of the NRLs Vegas venture rather than any childish and unnecessary swipes that PVL would carry on with.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/afl/afl-in-las-vegas-chief-andrew-dillon-speaks/cm7vbvnok000a0go9krpdlmhf

Round Zero as the AFL term there opening season is not as big a success as Vegas is. To argue otherwise would be ridiculous. I don’t think the AFL are overly concerned by that. The AFL will be more concerned with meeting their own objectives, not outscoring the NRL, after all, the opening round in 2024 was the AFLs highest attended opening round in history and I am sure they are booted by that result and the likelihood of that being beaten again this year.

As for the AFLs ulcers about PNG, well that’s about a ridiculous as I’ve heard on the subject @lucky 7

Sports Prophet · March 14

24 minutes ago, Treizistance said:

Utter nonsense. "Small fraction", are you being serious?

The comments about the FLA (trigger alert) focussing on it's own strengths and not biting is a funny one...

The much maligned 'Opening Round' is precisely the FLA saying to the NRL ‘You go on holidays, we’ll rob your house’

Sports Prophet, more like False Prophet. I'll take a namechange bet with you that WA Bears will be announced by Origin II, deal?

Small fraction indeed. If only you knew.

If your video clip is to suggest the “FLA” (sic) is not going about its own business, my response to the others stands true, a media response is far from an AFL response.

Sure the AFL are playing in NSW and QLD during a non NRL weekend in those states. That is still them going about their own business though, giving them the best platform to launch the season in those states.

Perth team before Origin. I don’t think you will have found me on the record of saying otherwise, so I’ll pass on the bet thank you. I’m just saying the NRL have shot themselves in the foot and will not have the government backing they once would have by running a reputable bid process.

Just because the NRL are trying to put a team in Perth, doesn’t mean they should be running the negotiations like it’s the Wild West.

Anyway, Bombers coverage is about to start. Gotta go.

Edited March 14 by Sports Prophet

Sports Prophet · March 14

I only referenced the AFL in a bid to demonstrate that organisation focusing on themselves, rather than focusing on their competitor. If people disagree, that’s fine.

In hindsight, it was an unnecessary reference when compared to the predominant premise of my post, so accepting my responsibility for taking this thread down an old NRL v AFL storyline.

Back to this expansion process, I think what we have seen is that the NRL are not having their own way on this and what I would consider to be the most strategically important expansion destination has not had a hint of any public funding and far from an overwhelming commercial bid tabled.

Despite a brilliant deal to establish a team in PNG, it seems that dreams of 20 teams are reasonably further away than many would have considered it to be 12 months ago.

The Rocket · March 14

6 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

As for the AFLs ulcers about PNG,

5 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

Anyway, Bombers coverage is about to start. Gotta go.

Pathetic.

4 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

I only referenced the AFL in a bid to demonstrate that organisation focusing on themselves, rather than focusing on their competitor. If people disagree, that’s fine.

Fumbles, fumbles, fumbles on a Rugby League forum. No international forums to discuss the fumbles ? Take it elsewhere mate.

Sports Prophet · March 14

1 hour ago, The Rocket said:

Pathetic.

Fumbles, fumbles, fumbles on a Rugby League forum. No international forums to discuss the fumbles ? Take it elsewhere mate.

Like I said, I realised and acknowledged my misadventure.

Back to the topic though and my criticism of the handling of Perth, the NRL have not only reduced the governing funds they were originally set to receive, they have also urinated all over a group of WA corporates most interested in the success of an NRL team in Perth and have lost 5 and a half months and counting for a new Perth club to set themselves up and be ready for a 2027 entry.

2027 looks less and less likely to be the entry year of a Perth team. Remember how long and how difficult it was to recruit players to the Dolphins? It will be worse for Perth who will also be competing with another new entrant which can pretty much double the financial offer any Perth club can.

This all leads me to a growing suspicion PNG will enter the NRL as club 18 and Perth will be 19 entering in 2029 or even later.

Sort of on topic is a great article I found:

https://www.afr.com/companies/sport/the-media-storm-behind-the-nrl-s-next-billion-dollar-play-20240930-p5keji

Edited March 14 by Sports Prophet

Treizistance · March 14

13 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

Small fraction indeed. If only you knew.

OK then know it all, let's see your workings here. What is not on the table now but was on the table for the much maligned Cummins (and dubious consortium members) bid. Simple ask.

The impression you're trying to give is that a "small fraction", is that 25% shall we say, is all that is being offered Who in the NRL or PVL household hurt you?

(Your statement that the NRL were after a $200m license fee is utter nonsense so I hope that isn't in your workings!)

I really am intrigued to see what is on offer now considering in your words...

14 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

What can’t be ignored is the WA chequebook has been sizeably reduced

So prove it, or stop posting utter poppycock

Sports Prophet · March 14

On 15/03/2025 at 06:20, Treizistance said:

OK then know it all, let's see your workings here. What is not on the table now but was on the table for the much maligned Cummins (and dubious consortium members) bid. Simple ask.

The impression you're trying to give is that a "small fraction", is that 25% shall we say, is all that is being offered Who in the NRL or PVL household hurt you?

(Your statement that the NRL were after a $200m license fee is utter nonsense so I hope that isn't in your workings!)

I really am intrigued to see what is on offer now considering in your words...

So prove it, or stop posting utter poppycock

I don’t claim to be a know it all, but I do know some things. There is no need to get all cranky either.

The NRL had on the table a WA gov’t funding offer of $500m. This included:

- $12m a year for 10yrs for grassroots development;

- $25m for a high performance centre;

- $350m upgrade of Perth Oval;

- Rent free use of Perth Oval for 2 seasons (if I correctly recall 2 seasons specifically) worth about $150k a match.

This has all been compromised by a greedy NRL seeking a licence fee in order to hand out to the Sydney clubs, which is where PVL’s biggest interest sits. The NRL sought $120m licence fee not $200m (mixed up my numbers).

With all above, the NRL have compromised a $500m injection into WA RL grassroots development and facilities by demanding a $120m cut as a licence fee.

The greed has added political pressure to the subject and latest figures I hear are the WA gov’t are now less interested in any major Perth Oval upgrade and the funding proposal the WA gov’t are interested in committing sits below $250m which is less than half of what the NRL could have achieved if they acted before Christmas.

Lastly, neither PVL or anyone at the NRL hurt me like you suggested. For the best part, I think the NRL do a great job and you’ll find me on this forum defending the organisation more than most. Doesn’t prevent me from calling out how this expansion drive is being mismanaged in places.

Edited March 15 by Sports Prophet

lucky 7 · March 15

16 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

@The Rocket Perth was a “done deal” some time ago until it wasn’t. The NRL blunder to leak details of a large licence fee was there for all to see when the WA Premier during the election called the NRL dreamers and per the leaked financial requirements, the “deal is off”. Negotiations will continue but while both parties want a team in Perth, the financial details of such are far from agreed. What can’t be ignored is the WA chequebook has been sizeably reduced due to the NRLs mismanagement of this entire process. The WA government are now holding the best cards in negotiations, not the NRL.

As to fumble loving fans making a big election deal of the matter, the truth is, the overwhelming majority of WA public would up to that point have no knowledge that a new Perth based NRL team was even being negotiated. The WA public are not staunch against league, they just don’t have an opinion because it’s for the best part an anonymous sport to them.

Whilst the AFL supporting media may have been squirming about Vegas (I’ll have to take your word on that, I wouldn’t know),cooler heads hold the decision making seats at the AFL where I expect Vegas has hardly got a mention.

Evidence of the AFL simply going about themselves is about as clear as the video below and despite a jibe from the interviewer, it came with compliments of the NRLs Vegas venture rather than any childish and unnecessary swipes that PVL would carry on with.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/afl/afl-in-las-vegas-chief-andrew-dillon-speaks/cm7vbvnok000a0go9krpdlmhf

Round Zero as the AFL term there opening season is not as big a success as Vegas is. To argue otherwise would be ridiculous. I don’t think the AFL are overly concerned by that. The AFL will be more concerned with meeting their own objectives, not outscoring the NRL, after all, the opening round in 2024 was the AFLs highest attended opening round in history and I am sure they are booted by that result and the likelihood of that being beaten again this year.

As for the AFLs ulcers about PNG, well that’s about a ridiculous as I’ve heard on the subject @lucky 7

Mate you are on bigfooty forum and you and other fumbleball posters are in meltdown over the PNG team, but forget to mention the cost of the fumbleball stadium in Tassie which will cost twice as much

Sports Prophet · March 15

50 minutes ago, lucky 7 said:

Mate you are on bigfooty forum and you and other fumbleball posters are in meltdown over the PNG team, but forget to mention the cost of the fumbleball stadium in Tassie which will cost twice as much

I am not on big footy forum and never have been. Not even once for a look; and

I am near polar opposite of being in meltdown over PNG. I’m not convinced it will be sustainable, but I hope it succeeds; and

I have no major opinion on the stadium in Tassie. It’s a great result for the AFL, that’s for sure. Happy for the game down there.

Jonty58 · March 15

Fumbleball……… are we still at School?

lucky 7 · March 15

36 minutes ago, Jonty58 said:

Fumbleball……… are we still at School?

That's what the game is known as in Australia by a majority of people, or sometimes referred to as the Anglo-Irish game due to its roots in 19th century Rugby and Gaelic football played on a Cricket oval, and Cricket is the most British of games. It's also sometimes called Aerial Ping Pong

Despite what some of his fans claim the locals weren't playing it when the first fleet arrived, and it's about as Australian in origin as Pasta

Worzel · March 15

8 minutes ago, lucky 7 said:

That's what the game is known as in Australia by a majority of people, or sometimes referred to as the Anglo-Irish game due to its roots in 19th century Rugby and Gaelic football played on a Cricket oval, and Cricket is the most British of games. It's also sometimes called Aerial Ping Pong

Despite what some of his fans claim the locals weren't playing it when the first fleet arrived, and it's about as Australian in origin as Pasta

Yeah it was always aerial ping pong when I lived in Sydney, where it’s watched by a mix of expat Victorians and exiled rugby union types from good schools who’ve been disengaged with the 15-man code’s slow demise but can’t bring themselves to accept that “mungoball” as they call it is any good.

But that’s solidifying the thread drift so let’s get back on track…

The Labor Party in WA holds 2/3rds of the lower house seats after the election, and can do what it wants. They’ll be partnering with the NRL to get a Perth side in, no matter what was said in the election campaign.

Sports Prophet · March 18

November 21, 2024 and an eager WA Gov’t committed to delivering from $350m up to $500m in grassroots and facility funding.

Fast forward to post state election after PVL has pushed his luck too far.

Oh dear… not a single solely dedicated RL project amongst them. That cheque book has closed right up.

https://www.rogercook.com.au/media/186-million-wa-labor-commitment-a-slam-dunk-for-community-sport

https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/wa-election-2025-premier-roger-cook-warns-ambitious-peter-vlandys-the-western-bears-deal-is-no-sure-thing-c-18068207

Edited March 18 by Sports Prophet

Damien · March 25

Celtic Roosters · March 25

I've only ever watched one game live in Australia but it's easy to see that Rugby League is not a minority sport over there, particularly in NSW and Queensland, but even in Adelaide I walked around with various RL tops on and always drew comments. I think expansion would definitely work over there. We often copy there model (no relegation etc) but I have often wondered if 2 divisions with promotion and relegation would make their competition even better. I'll never know?

Damien · March 25

46 minutes ago, Celtic Roosters said:

I've only ever watched one game live in Australia but it's easy to see that Rugby League is not a minority sport over there, particularly in NSW and Queensland, but even in Adelaide I walked around with various RL tops on and always drew comments. I think expansion would definitely work over there. We often copy there model (no relegation etc) but I have often wondered if 2 divisions with promotion and relegation would make their competition even better. I'll never know?

I really don't see the need in Australia and see it as a backward step. You have 17 teams all pretty much on the same level and all are reasonably strong and competitive. All plonking some of those in a 2nd division will do is weaken half the clubs for no benefit. Everyone seems happy enough with the NRL and 2nd tier structure as is.

Celtic Roosters · March 25

2 hours ago, Damien said:

I really don't see the need in Australia and see it as a backward step. You have 17 teams all pretty much on the same level and all are reasonably strong and competitive. All plonking some of those in a 2nd division will do is weaken half the clubs for no benefit. Everyone seems happy enough with the NRL and 2nd tier structure as is.

Yeah, I suppose if something isn't broke don't try and fix it. There is far too much meddling with the game over here. I've given up trying to convert friends who are not fans of the game over here. They have given up trying to work out what's going on and I'm fed up of trying to explain!

Yosser · March 29

"AFL and its media friends play dirty over NRL’s Western Bears"

https://www.codesports.com.au/nrl/afl-and-its-media-friends-play-dirty-over-nrls-western-bears/news-story/0790f2ff60fcad060f763fdc7df04033

"The noise from media in WA is solely an attempt to try and stop the NRL from taking a slice of the AFL’s pie.

“There are dirty tactics to shut the NRL out of Perth,

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/got-them-rattled-code-wars-erupt-as-nrl-and-afl-bosses-take-vicious-swipes-at-rival-codes/news-story/fa0dbf0543b381c8efd495db48b46d94

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