Xman wrote:King-Eliagh wrote:Yes not a bad crowd at all. Phelpsy I think no code should follow the bungled example of the AFL in eastern sydney...ever. It's a sure fire way to waste hundreds of millions. The nrl should support the development of a new Perth side, which includes established players. Not sure on timing though I'd prefer to strike while the iron is hot.
Totally different scenarios. AFL already has a presence and reasonable participation rate in Sydney. While RL is has very low levels of grass root participation in Perth. As a one of crowd thats great, but regular 2-3k ratings for live NRL show the following is very small.
Their juniors only number 3200 - their along way off if at all!
He made his name as a banker, but NRL chief executive Dave Smith will be playing the role of an architect as he attempts to transform rugby league into the mansion of Australia's sporting landscape.
Smith would love nothing more than to grow the tentacles of the NRL by expanding the competition beyond 16 teams.
Western Australia is considered a strong chance to get an NRL club of their own once expansion occurs, while bid teams from Brisbane, Central Coast, Queensland and New Zealand are also keen to join in on the action.
The NRL has put expansion holds on talk until the end of the 2014 season, meaning it's unlikely a new team will be introduced before the current TV rights deal expires in 2017.
Smith, who managed assets worth $50 billion while working for Lloyds International, knows that for the NRL to be a truly national competition, it needs to branch out beyond its traditional strongholds.
But the Welshman says any untapped markets must prove their game is strong at a grass roots level before the NRL would be prepared to take the plunge and invest in a new side.
"It's like building a house - if the walls and floors are strong, you can put a roof on it," Smith told AAP.
"To add a team into the comp is a very significant thing to do. You have to look at the market dynamics, population growth, demographic.
"You've seen lots of examples around Australia where professional sporting clubs struggled to keep the talent.
"There was that initial euphoria, but the foundations weren't strong enough for the ongoing sustainability.
"The game's never been in better shape.
"But I think you have to take those steps very carefully.
"It starts at the grass roots."
Smith's recent travel itinerary is proof the NRL is serious about all levels of rugby league in Australia.
After spending time in Dubbo to watch the NSW country championships, Smith flew to Canberra for the Australian schoolboy championships, before making trips to Queensland and WA to assess the health of the game there.
Smith then jetted off to England on Thursday night for the Festival of World Cups, where Australia's women's outfit - the Jillaroos - will be in action, along with teams competing for the armed forces, police, students, and wheelchair titles.
A crowd in excess of 20,000 is expected to turn out for Sunday's clash between South Sydney and the Warriors at Perth's nib Stadium, showing there is strong support for the game in Perth.
Smith said he had been impressed by the recent growth in WA, which had experienced a 14.9 per cent boost in registered players over the past year, with numbers now up to 3200.
And Although WA's sporting market is dominated by AFL teams West Coast and Fremantle, Smith felt there was good potential for a rugby league team to thrive.
"This would be a new heartland for me," Smith said.
"The fact these guys have grown the game by nearly 15 per cent in one year tells you there's an opportunity for us."
