New NRL clubs have over 2 years to prepare. New SL clubs get just over 2 months.

[The Daddy]

I've been following closely the appointment of new clubs to the NRL.

The 18th club to the NRL, which will likely be the Western Bears will enter the competition in 2027 that's 2-3 years prep to put together a coaching team, find sponsors, build a squad, attract fans, media partnerships etc.

The Dolphins are an example of how well this has gone, you couldn't have asked for a better entry to a professional competition. 

With that in mind, why does IMG, RFL, the SL or whomever makes and agrees to this approach believe it's a good idea to only inform clubs at the end of Oct/beginning of Nov who will be in SL the following year. This is not good practice and will continually lead to new clubs being vastly underprepared and disadvantaged. It's bad for the competition overall coz it reflects badly, especially when you see London for example getting thrashed nearly every week. 

How can you create a buzz around a club in 2 months? It really is an approach that needs to change somehow. 

The best example SL has of a club entering the competition is the Catalan Dragons and that has been far and away the most successful. 

The current system needs changing somehow. 

[Eddie]

To be fair by removing P&R, and alienating many fans in the process, they’ve made a big step towards this. 

[Griff]

On 09/08/2024 at 18:30, The Daddy said:

With that in mind, why does IMG, RFL, the SL or whomever makes and agrees to this approach believe it's a good idea to only inform clubs at the end of Oct/beginning of Nov who will be in SL the following year. This is not good practice and will continually lead to new clubs being vastly underprepared and disadvantaged. It's bad for the competition overall coz it reflects badly, especially when you see London for example getting thrashed nearly every week. 

The current system needs changing somehow. 

Well, you're overlooking that London were promoted under the old system and no-one has been promoted under the new, improved Daz IMG system yet.

The system's been changed. Give it a chance to prove itself one way or the other.

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

The difference is that the NRL is a well run organization that thinks long and hard before making changes and then does the job properly. The RFL is a shambles that does things on an ad hoc basis.

[Anita Bath]

Applies also to the expansion team to enter league 1

[The Daddy]

On 10/08/2024 at 07:15, Eddie said:

To be fair by removing P&R, and alienating many fans in the process, they’ve made a big step towards this. 

Fans are already walking away from the game and that's reflected in the tv deal. 

[The Daddy]

It seems crazy that in 2024 and knowing what we know we still persist in adopting outdated methods. 

 

 

[The Daddy]

On 12/08/2024 at 10:03, Anita Bath said:

Applies also to the expansion team to enter league 1

True, true

[phiggins]

On 11/08/2024 at 23:08, Griff said:

Well, you're overlooking that London were promoted under the old system and no-one has been promoted under the new, improved Daz IMG system yet.

The system's been changed. Give it a chance to prove itself one way or the other.

If anyone gets promoted under the grading system, they’re not going to have it confirmed earlier than they would under P&R though

[phiggins]

4 hours ago, The Daddy said:

It seems crazy that in 2024 and knowing what we know we still persist in adopting outdated methods. 

 

 

We don’t persist with anything

[phiggins]

4 hours ago, The Daddy said:

Fans are already walking away from the game and that's reflected in the tv deal. 

Is that being reflected in attendances?

[Harry Stottle]

On 09/08/2024 at 18:30, The Daddy said:

With that in mind, why does IMG, RFL, the SL or whomever makes and agrees to this approach believe it's a good idea to only inform clubs at the end of Oct/beginning of Nov who will be in SL the following year. This is not good practice and will continually lead to new clubs being vastly underprepared and disadvantaged. It's bad for the competition overall coz it reflects badly, especially when you see London for example getting thrashed nearly every week. 

Sorry but Leigh's last promotion did not follow the 2 month rule and now Wakey are following suit by not waiting till the end of the season before assembling a squad that can be competitive in SL, London are an example of how it was, Leigh and now Wakey are the new blueprint if how it should be, you can prepare for promotion or just wait till see what kind of squad you can assemble. London eventually proved good enough last term to win promotion but had Mr Hughes so desired he could have assembled a squad that would have gained promotion and been far more competitive this term.

But honestly Dad, this is really a futile discussion, onfield performance will be secondary with IMG's 'Reimagining' process, as I wrote on another thread Toulouse could and will most probably get hammered every week if they get elevated into SL next term, in my opinion they have no intention of spending to improve their squad they are hoping for a generous spreadsheet for SL status to build at their leisure, if they fail to get into SL, I expect them to cease operation and fold.

Edited August 16 by Harry Stottle

[sam4731]

On 16/08/2024 at 19:43, Harry Stottle said:

Sorry but Leigh's last promotion did not follow the 2 month rule and now Wakey are following suit by not waiting till the end of the season before assembling a squad that can be competitive in SL, London are an example of how it was, Leigh and now Wakey are the new blueprint if how it should be, you can prepare for promotion or just wait till see what kind of squad you can assemble. London eventually proved good enough last term to win promotion but had Mr Hughes so desired he could have assembled a squad that would have gained promotion and been far more competitive this term.

But honestly Dad, this is really a futile discussion, onfield performance will be secondary with IMG's 'Reimagining' process, as I wrote on another thread Toulouse could and will most probably get hammered every week if they get elevated into SL next term, in my opinion they have no intention of spending to improve their squad they are hoping for a generous spreadsheet for SL status to build at their leisure, if they fail to get into SL, I expect them to cease operation and fold.

So many contradicting arguments here.

- Leigh took a massive gamble in getting a SL ready side before promotion which is not something that probably any current championship side could afford to do.

- Wakefield have been able to recruit this term for SL knowing they are going to go up without touching a ball. How many of the players that have signed for them would have done so if they weren't sure of their employment status next year?

- London knew that they could go all season winning every game 100-0 and would still go down. If you were DH, would you put your hand in your pocket knowing that it was literally pouring money down the drain. Also, what calibre of player could they sign with the promise of a 1 year contract with a guaranteed paycut if their contract was to be renewed?