meanwhile in NSW & QLD the traditional NRL heartland, NSW we have the Swans are the Largest sporting team, & in QLD
we have the Suns belting the, 25 million in debt, homeless, sponsorless Titans,
the Lions giving the NRL's pride and joy Broncos a good run for the money in the popularity stakes, & in Central & North QLd, the RL community are shitting bricks!
RUGBY league would leave regional Queensland exposed for a takeover by Australian football if an NRL premiership team is not put into Rockhampton.
That’s the warning to the ARL Commission from Central Queensland bid team chief executive Denis Keeffe as they consider the NRL expansion question.
The decision on whether to have the current 16 teams or 18 in the future intersects with upcoming talks about the next NRL broadcast rights deal from 2018.
NRL CEO Dave Smith speaks to media at Jupiters regarding the Gold Coast Titans new move t
NRL CEO Dave Smith speaks to media at Jupiters regarding the Gold Coast Titans new move to Evandale. Picture Glenn Hampson
Keeffe said league bosses must heed comments from former AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou last week that he could see “the potential … a long way away’’ for an AFL team servicing northern Queensland because the game had become stronger in Townsville and Cairns.
The comments by Demetriou came at a Local Government Association of Queensland conference in Mackay.
NRL CEO Dave Smith visited Rockhampton last month, meeting league stakeholders and having talks with CQ bid team bosses Geoff Murphy and Keeffe about any likely process set down by the ARLC in deciding the future of the NRL competition.
“Dave was a bit guarded on the process but he said he would be able to announce something about the process involved early next year,’’ Keeffe said.
“He has some serious issues in Sydney to solve and he needed time.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl ... 7116873392



come on NRL pull your finger out. we keep hearing how big your little game is!... yet 100 plus years it hasn't gone anywhere

