General NRL Expansion

[Dixpat]

I guess the NRL thought of the same issue I did because, of course, in 2021 prior to SOO (Rd 13) 8 teams got a bye and then every team got a bye for Origin 2 and and after that (Rd 17) the other 8 teams got their second.

Which, actually, is probably the best way you can do it...

That is what is implied (17 byes through the origin period) but there is big difference in getting your other bye in R1 when someone else gets it the week before Origin 1.

One think you can say about the NRL they haven’t had a fair comp as long as I can remember and it doesn’t look like anything is going to change

 

[Dixpat]

On triple M this evening Abdo mentioned they were hoping to encompass’the north’ so possibly something like North Brisbane, Or Queensland possibly?

As I read the announcement it will simply be the Dolphins

As for the club's name, which will make it the second in the NRL along with the Warriors not to have a geographical component in its title, Abdo said it was about "owning the north", growing outside the Brisbane region through Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and beyond.

"Redcliffe is no longer the name, they are quite deliberately calling themselves 'The Dolphins'," he said.

"This is about owning not just Brisbane and having a second Brisbane team but owning the north as well.

 

[Tonbridge (Swanley)]

one bye every week means that someone doesnt play the last regular game of the season. A guaranteed 2 points. Whats the bet this comes to haunt a team trying to get into the 8

no doubt it will be the Warriors, needing a win by a certain margin! but we get the bye.

 

[matiunz]

New logo, a little bit simple but that works well for branding.


Colours still to be announced but rumours are Red/Silver with gold highlight to differentiate from Dragons

 

[snake77]

Now that we are moving to 17 teams it not going to be a surprise that there will be more talk from various bids as they will seen an opportunity to get to 18 teams with an even amount of teams.

I haven't seen anything from the NRL how long they want to stay at 17 teams before assessing another side. Either financial or player depth.

The Bears want to follow the Dolphins dropping a regional name. I can understand the Dolphins dropping Redcliffe as they can play in locations around Queensland and keep Redcliffe Dolphins as the Q Cup side.

The Bears dropping Central Coast to play at North Sydney Oval, Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour and Central Coast plus Adelaide and Perth. From what I can recall of North Sydney oval the crowd would be far away from the game being a cricket ground and size wise it would be like the games they take out to the bush.

Think Perth will still be the favourite for the next side.

Bears formally launch bid to become NRL's 18th franchise

With the introduction of the Dolphins as the NRL’s 17th franchise and the league’s ambition for an 18th, it was only a matter of time before bids started being submitted

everythingrugbyleague.com

 

[RiceOwl]

Bring back the Bears! Sadly I’m not sure how feasible or realistic it really is for the Bears to return but in my eyes they were shafted in the first place and as an inaugural team should never have been given the boot in the first place (even if there financials landed them in the shit).

Note: They were my number 1 team before the Wo’s came along as my uncle played for them in the 70s and was head trainer in the 90s

 

[matiunz]

Now that we are moving to 17 teams it not going to be a surprise that there will be more talk from various bids as they will seen an opportunity to get to 18 teams with an even amount of teams.

I haven't seen anything from the NRL how long they want to stay at 17 teams before assessing another side. Either financial or player depth.

The Bears want to follow the Dolphins dropping a regional name. I can understand the Dolphins dropping Redcliffe as they can play in locations around Queensland and keep Redcliffe Dolphins as the Q Cup side.

The Bears dropping Central Coast to play at North Sydney Oval, Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour and Central Coast plus Adelaide and Perth. From what I can recall of North Sydney oval the crowd would be far away from the game being a cricket ground and size wise it would be like the games they take out to the bush.

Think Perth will still be the favourite for the next side.

Bears formally launch bid to become NRL's 18th franchise

With the introduction of the Dolphins as the NRL’s 17th franchise and the league’s ambition for an 18th, it was only a matter of time before bids started being submitted

everythingrugbyleague.com

There’s talk a move to 18 with the next RV deal 2028 but might be sooner if it’s a ready set bud such as Dolphins were.
Only way I’d see bears back in was if a sydney club as relocated elsewhere or folded. I’d love to see them back and the north is largely neglected but just too many clubs in the sydney area, the cc public hasn’t helped themselves staying away from teams using the area as a base- had they got behind the Warriors the last couple of seasons I’d say we’d still be there and they’d have a better case.
The NRL really need to look at a long term strategy- in the current economic climate the Bears are probably a safer option in terms of relatively established. Better long term options are Perth and NZ2 but both will be a bigger risk and need a bigger lead in time wise to set up- there was talk that NZ2 was part of the plan before Gould had to abandon his NZ project.
The big trend in Australian sports particularly A League AFL and big bash is to have a derby rivalry built in for each team so could be a good sign for NZ 2 particularly with that 6pm Fri time slot no team in Aus wants.
NRL need to look at a 20 team final template with a sydney team moving, CC, NZ2, Perth and Adelaide coming in longer term- A National comp will be good for growth and sponsor/RV exposure

 

[playdaball]

I’m not quite sure why Norths and Redcliffe (to a lesser degree) are mentioned in the same sentence as expansion.

 

[bruce]

in my eyes they were shafted

Shafted with a red hot poker by Manly. Their only crime was being in a yawnion area, so the NRL didn't lose anything...if the Peninsular had gone to yawnion that would have been serious.

Again I blame the Murdochs, what a horrible family.

 

[The Falcon]

I’d go another Queensland team for expansion then Perth and if another team in NZ it would have to be Christchurch.
As much as I would love it to happen I have doubts around the long term financial viability of another NZ team.
The City would have a new purpose built down town stadium and while traditionally a strong league province, it’s playing base is small. It would need a big uptake in junior development in the next 10 years and strong pathways to NRL.

 

[drunk_monk]

Come on Wellington NRL team.

Upper Hutt Tigers. Don't even need to use an expansion slot, just replace the current Tigers.

 

[bruce]

another team in NZ

I believe in Santa too...can we be friends

 

[The Falcon]

I believe in Santa too...can we be friends

I thought we already were Bruce? 🍻

 

[Wrighty]

Come on Wellington NRL team.

Upper Hutt Tigers. Don't even need to use an expansion slot, just replace the current Tigers.

I live in Upper Hutt and own Upper Hutt Rams supporters clothing. If Upper Hutt got an NRL franchise and a purpose built stadium all my christmases would have come at once. Upper Hutt is probably more a rugby league community than other parts of Wellington save Wainui.
It would be next level. Plus Upper Hutt has a train line so if we can put a stadium next to the one of the stations then you are really cooking with gas.

Category:Upper Hutt Tigers players - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The above page are former Upper Hutt Tigers - includes NAS and Kevin Tamati !!!

 

[playdaball]

Another NZ team would be a disaster.
I really hope that they go for a Perth based team - $$$, true expansion, the last Reds team did well just got caught in a SL battle, a different time zone suitable for TV, a rugby base already (13 / 15).

 

[playdaball]

When the 18th team comes in , we should see more RU signings as the RL depth could be exhausted. We saw this back in the day and I noted that the Storm , via Foxsports, were chasing a NZ 7s player to replace JACarr. Was his surname, Warbrick?

All Blacks sevens star Will Warbrick close to signing with Melbourne Storm

Fresh from winning an Olympic silver medal at the Tokyo Games, Will Warbrick is set to switch codes to join the Storm.

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[matiunz]

I live in Upper Hutt and own Upper Hutt Rams supporters clothing. If Upper Hutt got an NRL franchise and a purpose built stadium all my christmases would have come at once. Upper Hutt is probably more a rugby league community than other parts of Wellington save Wainui.
It would be next level. Plus Upper Hutt has a train line so if we can put a stadium next to the one of the stations then you are really cooking with gas.

Category:Upper Hutt Tigers players - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The above page are former Upper Hutt Tigers - includes NAS and Kevin Tamati !!!

Think that rectangular boutique stadium that was mooted for Petone for Phoenix would be a decent option close to both Hutt and Wainui, only problem is it’s a bit tough for the Jville, Porirua side of the city public transport wise

Remember a few of the Upper Hutt and Taka(pre Rams) boys used to moonlight for the Tigers (and vice versa) when I played for Upper Hutt.

Probably off topic but how’d you get your hands on Rams merch?

 

[Viking]

When the 18th team comes in , we should see more RU signings as the RL depth could be exhausted. We saw this back in the day and I noted that the Storm , via Foxsports, were chasing a NZ 7s player to replace JACarr. Was his surname, Warbrick?

All Blacks sevens star Will Warbrick close to signing with Melbourne Storm

Fresh from winning an Olympic silver medal at the Tokyo Games, Will Warbrick is set to switch codes to join the Storm.

www.stuff.co.nz

He was a weapon at Tokyo but they hardly used him. There were some games where he didn't feature at all which was strange cos I reckon he was the fastest player in the team and it wasn't like he was making mistakes. They needed to play their fastest team to be any hope of beating Fiji and that didn't happen. Caleb Clarke could've been a point of difference in the final too but he travelled as a non-playing member which was bizarre considering some of the slower players that were included.

 

[bruce]

Another NZ team would be a disaster.

Absolutely...but never fear...it won't happen

 

[Wrighty]

Think that rectangular boutique stadium that was mooted for Petone for Phoenix would be a decent option close to both Hutt and Wainui, only problem is it’s a bit tough for the Jville, Porirua side of the city public transport wise

Remember a few of the Upper Hutt and Taka(pre Rams) boys used to moonlight for the Tigers (and vice versa) when I played for Upper Hutt.

Probably off topic but how’d you get your hands on Rams merch?

Hazzah an Upper Hutt or former Upper Hutt man.
There was a sports store run by a cat called Trev that sold plenty of Rams sweatshirts and golf shirts but he went out of business because of the Warehouse. A brand new sports dude just started on Main St - I will drop by next time I pass it to see if he has any local rams clothing.

Wearing Rams shirts has made me more popular in Wellington than Warriors gear believe it or not. Plenty of Rams supporters stop me and talk to me.
I have never played for the Rams just know some people from their J8s.

Edit - the new outfit are called Williams Sports. And a quick look at their facebook page says that they carry Rams clothing !!