Some U20s games actually out-rate A-League, Super 15 and AFL matches. LOL! But the merits are debatable.
* I think they will try and shore up NSW and QLD Cup and Regional footy first.
* Ensure all current NRL teams are as strong as can be - or cull ones who aren't and fix others.
* Perhaps then look at Reserve / U23-20's.
* There is also a lot of players 80-100 in UK - debatable on level of talent, but you could make a first grade team out of it that I still reckon would beat 1/2 your current NRL teams.
* Central QLD and Perth (who have been doing this since 2007), and Central Coast Bears, all have junior grades and are building up the kids - which apparently, if you believe CQ and Perth, the NRL told them to concentrate on (which makes it even more interesting they might say expansion is off the agenda for now...hmmm...) [[ We won't argue that here, but fair few RL supporters in Perth are miffed to say the least because TV, sponsors and WA govt may or may not have been led on by NRL]].
For mine, why not take a Test to Perth? NZ and Australia would be good? Or the next Four Nations?
Hell, I think soon you will see SoO matches coming out of other cities each and every year. If a city is willing to pay $$$$ to host it, I for one [I don't go to SoO, I love it on TV] don't mind if they play it somewhere else and get good coin to put in the coffers.
I lean to Perth also, because it's an expansion market, the Reds were once there and didn't fail [technically, they became Melbourne Storm] and this time the costs wouldn't be absorbed by the Pirates like they had to back in 1995-1997. The word is out there, they have a decent WA comp, the media and govt are onside, NIB Stadium is being re-developed in to a nice ground. It brings new sponsors to the game, fan, money [read: mining money] in to the game. PLUS - if they played on Friday night, it could be the 2nd game and actually be LIVE. OR live Sunday Night Footy!!! Ch 9 would love it...and remember they just got taken over by banks who are going to maximise every cent out of their assets now - hence THURSDAY night footy. Think about it...why 1 live and 1 delayed, when you can have 2 live, on 2 different nights and get all that revenue.
I also think Brisbane needs a 2nd team.
I would also spend more $$$ on ensuring Cowboys, Warriors, Storm and Raiders became as attractive as possible. No offence to clubs who buy up all Canberra's talent, but far out they would have a sweet team if they kept all those players down there.
And I'd rather the ARLC be choosy, take their time, and patiently grow a region. Would rather another Broncos success story than a Crushers disaster.
