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[pussycat Mark 11]

The NRL must consult its fans about radical expansion plan: Voss
By SEN 7 hours ago
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Reports emerged on Tuesday night that the NRL has already spoken to a handful of clubs about their radical expansion ideas.

The Sydney Morning Herald are reporting that the league is aiming to add two teams by 2026 – a second Brisbane side and either a second team in New Zealand or a Perth franchise.


Additionally, the NRL has pitched a proposal to clubs that would see the competition split into two conferences – a Sydney based conference and a conference for the remainder of the teams.

The idea behind the conference system is to increase more rivalries, with all teams in the Sydney conference playing each other twice twice per year, and playing the remaining sides once in a 25 round season.

This would guarantee that the Roosters, Rabbitohs, Eels, Bulldogs, Tigers, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks and Sea Eagles would play each other both home and away each season.

Following the news, SEN host Andrew Voss detailed his thoughts on expansion and implored the NRL to listen to the fans’ opinion before making any final calls.

“Expansion in the NRL - warning, this is not a drill,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“After years of talk and rumour, the NRL will be expanding despite concerns we don’t have enough talent to spread around the competition that’s got more teams.

“I’ve never been against expansion, let me put that on the record, in fact I welcome the certainty now that we’re putting in place. This is what we’re doing, this is where we’re headed.

“I feel it’s been unfair to lead interested parties along with the idea that they could be coming into the NRL sometime relatively soon.

“On that note, the news today regarding where we are headed in regards to 2026, or by 2026. There will be two new teams.

“There will be a second Brisbane team. That’s a lock. For the second side perhaps the favourite is a second side out of New Zealand for 2026, but there is still the possibility of a Perth team, I’m a little torn there.

“I’m a little unsure where we should be headed if they’re the prime candidate for the 18th club.

“I’ve learnt this in my time covering the game and this includes years when we’ve added sides, the big year being 1995.

“If you weren’t aware, we added four new clubs in 1995.

“We had the Western Reds, we had the North Queensland Cowboys, the South Queensland Crushers and the Auckland Warriors. They all came on board at the same time.

“Expansion can only work with a support of the existing clubs. The game has to be united.

“If new clubs are to work, more than likely some concessions need to be made in the short term for them to be a success rather than a burden.

“This is a point that has never gone down well in a sport that has a habit of eating its own.

“With rugby league clubs, the track record of doing things for the greater good of the sport isn’t overly convincing.

“The saying is a chain can only be as strong as its weakest link.

“If country rugby league falls by the wayside and junior numbers don’t increase, then forget about expansion being sustained.

“We’ve got to cover all bases here, Peter V’Landys, Andrew Abdo and co. You have your hands full.

“The idea of the conference system is certainly worthy of open debate and discussion, and I would hope that the view of an important stakeholder – the fan – is viewed and considered.

“Now is the time to have your say. The future of the game depends on it, the NRL needs you, the fan.”


https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/04...t ... plan-voss/ - more

[Quolls2019]

It could become a circumstance of 2 conferences, rich and poor.

The finals issue of no 2 Sydney sides (or Queensland sides for that matter) playing off in the qrand final, can be over come by combining the top 4 of each conference into a top 8 based on wins and percentage.

[Fred]

I like everyone playing each other once then say the bottom 8 go out... play for draft picks maybe? Then the 10 play each other once more still accumulating.points and percentage and after that a final 5 . Add in a wild card to make it 6 ... they play each other once accumulating points and percentage and the top 2 after that play a best a three to determine winner.

[Quolls2019]

With the increase in teams they could, at the end of the regular season, have a top 8 (2 divisions x 4 teams each) mix the the divisions, so they each play against a team from the other division in the first week of the finals. Let’s call them division A & B.
First week of the finals A1 plays B4, B1 plays A4, A2 plays B3 and B2 plays A3, 2 lowest ranked losers are out. The two highest ranked winners go to the prelim each to play the winner of the semi final, the other 4 teams play off in the 2 semi finals.
That way it is possible for 2 Sydney sides to play against each other in the grand final as it is for 2 non sydney sides to do so, this way the 2 best sides should reach the grand final.

There are several other versions, including creating an 8 (or 6) based on the number of points achieved at the end of the regular season and play finals accordingly.

[pussycat Mark 11]

They would need to mix the two pools Sydney clubs playing Qld teams as well as there traditional rivals

[Terry]

They would need to mix the two pools Sydney clubs playing Qld teams as well as there traditional rivals

I'm not sold on this conference thing. Sydney teams already play each other in supposed blockbuster games and they rarely get 40k there. I don't know how playing them twice a year, every year, is going to make them any better or bigger.

Maybe they should concentrate on making the comp the best it can be every game.

[Pippen1994]

With the increase in teams they could, at the end of the regular season, have a top 8 (2 divisions x 4 teams each) mix the the divisions, so they each play against a team from the other division in the first week of the finals. Let’s call them division A & B.
First week of the finals A1 plays B4, B1 plays A4, A2 plays B3 and B2 plays A3, 2 lowest ranked losers are out. The two highest ranked winners go to the prelim each to play the winner of the semi final, the other 4 teams play off in the 2 semi finals.
That way it is possible for 2 Sydney sides to play against each other in the grand final as it is for 2 non sydney sides to do so, this way the 2 best sides should reach the grand final.

There are several other versions, including creating an 8 (or 6) based on the number of points achieved at the end of the regular season and play finals accordingly.

The concept is to create matches like Sydney Championships which rival gf in importance. Also, guarantees Sydney team in gf. What you're suggesting misses point.

[Pippen1994]

They would need to mix the two pools Sydney clubs playing Qld teams as well as there traditional rivals

Qlders actually most watch qld teams. Conference would help that.

[Pippen1994]

They would need to mix the two pools Sydney clubs playing Qld teams as well as there traditional rivals

I'm not sold on this conference thing. Sydney teams already play each other in supposed blockbuster games and they rarely get 40k there. I don't know how playing them twice a year, every year, is going to make them any better or bigger.

Maybe they should concentrate on making the comp the best it can be every game.

Playing highest drawing opponents will increase crowds. TV ratings in Sydney will increase.

[Quolls2019]

With the increase in teams they could, at the end of the regular season, have a top 8 (2 divisions x 4 teams each) mix the the divisions, so they each play against a team from the other division in the first week of the finals. Let’s call them division A & B.
First week of the finals A1 plays B4, B1 plays A4, A2 plays B3 and B2 plays A3, 2 lowest ranked losers are out. The two highest ranked winners go to the prelim each to play the winner of the semi final, the other 4 teams play off in the 2 semi finals.
That way it is possible for 2 Sydney sides to play against each other in the grand final as it is for 2 non sydney sides to do so, this way the 2 best sides should reach the grand final.

There are several other versions, including creating an 8 (or 6) based on the number of points achieved at the end of the regular season and play finals accordingly.

The concept is to create matches like Sydney Championships which rival gf in importance. Also, guarantees Sydney team in gf. What you're suggesting misses point.


I would say that having a system that does not allow a grand final between 2 Sydney teams, or between the 2 best teams, entirely misses the point.

[leeroy*NRL*]

i would prefer the NRL strive towards 20 teams than conference. i am 50 / 50 on the idea.

I do like the idea of potentially 3 Grand Finals.
but Top 8 must be reworked on Points not conferences.

[Quolls2019]

i would prefer the NRL strive towards 20 teams than conference. i am 50 / 50 on the idea.

I do like the idea of potentially 3 Grand Finals.
but Top 8 must be reworked on Points not conferences.

Can’t have both.

[pussycat Mark 11]

They would need to mix the two pools Sydney clubs playing Qld teams as well as there traditional rivals

Qlders actually most watch qld teams. Conference would help that.

For all clubs to prosper we need top rating matches

A Sydney comp is a step backwards.

How big a crowd will G.Cst V Newc/NZ or even WA bring ?

[Fred]

To be fair... it would probably match many other nrl crowds

[pussycat Mark 11]

To be fair... it would probably match many other nrl crowds

That was my point, Its not going to make a lot of difference as far as crowds go.

I was interested to read that RL are on the verge of setting yet another crowd record. Origin 1 is set to have the biggest crowd since this covid thing began.