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Post by Druzik on Jul 24, 2008 16:30:50 GMT 10
Congrats Evo, I am very happy with KRs inclusion, Though I never really doubted it. The Derby is just too valuable to have in ESL, all I can say is 21,000+ Bloody nice work!. That's more than most Aus derbys games!
Toulouse is an interesting point. I don't have an issue with them comming into ESL, as it will strengthen the Elite over time, but am not sure the NL's is the right way either. I worry that the cost of that travel could make some of the teams very edgy financially when it comes to travel. It could become the "default away loss" that teams take by sending a 1/2 arsed team. Maybe have them in elite 1 for two years, bring them into NL1 the year before to see where they are playing wise... or just have the challenge cup as their testing bed.
I can't see the Russian ever wanting to be in ESL.
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Post by Marv on Jul 24, 2008 19:28:06 GMT 10
I'm very happy to get a franchise and as expected, we got a Grade C. In 3 years, we will be grade 2. The stadium developments are to be advance soon, I feel our youth development is improving, albeit only in the very early stages and our attendances are improving year on year. I hope so Evo, I couldnt imagine the league without the Hull derby now. Should we not be looking to further strengthen the French League instead of bringing them over here? Toulouse should not be allowed in NL, let alone SL IMO. 1 foreign club is enough. What next, Lokamotiv Moscow? There is time and room for Toulouse, Fact is Evo France couldnt support a full pro league but they could almost certainly support two Superleague teams in the future and they are showing they can support the current one. I have made my feelings clear on Toulouse. When Catalans can fill positions such as Scrum half and Hooker with French players then it may be the right time to look at Toulouse as it is now we would have two teams of French squad players with Australians filling key positions in both sides. As for Lokomotiv Moscow, If the RFL think it may be able to strengthen the game and bring Russia closer to the other WC nations then why not have Loko in one day, I admit you could be talking 20 years but I hope we see expansion in the Midlands and Scotland First. |
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jim
Marquee Player
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Post by jim on Jul 24, 2008 19:53:07 GMT 10
Interesting piont about Lokomotiv Moscow. Since Khlebanon is ruining the russian league maybe he could back a bid from Loko in 2012 or 2015. He has the money to back the club and Loko would most likely be able get crowds of 5000 within 3 years I say, not sure what they're crowds are now.
Not saying they would get in but putting in a bid would be a good way to get them into action.
Most likely wouldn't be able to go into NL because other clubs would find it hard to travel there but I see no reason why they couldn't perhaps get straight into SL if they put in a good application.
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jim
Marquee Player
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Post by jim on Jul 24, 2008 20:03:07 GMT 10
With the announcment of Murrayfield Magic I think it likely we will see a Scottish club in NL1 or 2 before 2012. Also Ireland might be an option in the not too distant future.
I have also heard talk about a Paris SL bid aswell. Which got me thinking, what would be the cut-off point?
I think once SL gets 3 French clubs (may be a while) then planning should go underway for the French Elite to become a pro league with 5 or 6 clubs. The planning could go for 3 years or so so a few other clubs can submit bids to fill the other 3 spots. Teams could maybe be Catalans, Toulouse, Paris plus the 2 or 3 best bids from other parts maybe Barcalona, Lyon, Marsielle etc.
Then Maybe SL could consist of teams from the UK. Then expansion teams from places like Russia, Italy, Germany etc. could choose which league to apply for.
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Post by Druzik on Jul 24, 2008 20:21:50 GMT 10
That's juts it jim, I think the RFL are looking to have the super league become a cross national competition sort of like the HC or s14 in union with the national leagues being built up as a means to get into the SL. I would say look to NL's to get built up then money into elite once the french sort themselves out and somthing to happen with the Russian championships. The NL1 french team propostion is confirmed now. www.rlef.eu.com/news.php?id=884 |
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jim
Marquee Player
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Post by jim on Jul 24, 2008 20:52:13 GMT 10
I'm amazed the amount of expansion talk that has been going on since tuesday. Places like Scotland, Ireland and Spain look like series possibilities not too far away.
I think a fully pro french league would be the way to go, it may take a while but they should start plans for it now and once 3 french clubs are in SL announce it. Even if it's only 5 clubs to start that should be enough and it could expand now and then.
Exciting times for expansionists!
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Post by Druzik on Jul 24, 2008 20:56:42 GMT 10
Forget spain... lets have cats build up something first there. Scotland looks like the next target, Ireland I think are looking to be self sufficient.
Thing is the expansion talk is everywhere except in Australia. Its a dirty word at the moment for adminstrators and many Aus fans just cant see oputside their own clubs to how big RL is and can be.
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jim
Marquee Player
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Post by jim on Jul 25, 2008 0:23:11 GMT 10
Forget spain... lets have cats build up something first there. Scotland looks like the next target, Ireland I think are looking to be self sufficient. Thing is the expansion talk is everywhere except in Australia. Its a dirty word at the moment for adminstrators and many Aus fans just cant see oputside their own clubs to how big RL is and can be. I have heard a few people saying something about Barca FC showing some interest in RL. That would be massive for SL, and Spanish RL. I have often wondered why Spain never had a national team? surely they could find enough players from the french league and perhaps some locals aswell to form a team. Ireland have been self sufficient but I have to think that if the RFL offered them a team in the NL's they'd take it. I would honestly not be too suprised if Lokomotiv made a bid for SL. Could be 2018, 2015 or maybe even 2012. They have the financial backing and perhaps the support, only problem I could think of are distance and local playing staff, honestly how many russians are upto SL? probably 2 or 3 ATM, I could be wrong though. I found that on the RLEF website. IMO we could be on the verge of seeing something big in european RL in the near future. Australia is a different story ATM, Steve Mortimer was just on the footy show and offered some very interesting facts and said the first thing that needs to be done in australia is have one governing body running things. He spoke a bit about AFL and what they are doing with memberships, he said he spoke to demetriou and found out that AFL memberships offer about $10 per game for adults and about $2 for children. Also Primary schools playing AFL is sydney (or NSW, can't remember) has gone from 20 in the 90's to over 200 now. I think expansion could well be the answer to some of the problems, if we get team in Perth than that would add $ to our TV deal since 9 will be able to 2 live game on friday night when the reds play and Foxtel can play 3 live games on saturday night 5.30, 7.30 and 9.30. Another option that is growing on me is the Northern Cyclones, a team based in Darwin that uses NT and PNG juniors etc. and plays a few games a year in PNG. Also if we beat AFL to NT then it will become a RL town. Only problem I could see is crowds, Darwin is 115k so to get 1 in 10 people to games would be a fantastic achievment. Townsville is abotu 150k and cowboys average 18k but alot of people would travel to game from Cairns, Mackay and even as far away as Rocky. |
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beez
Reserve Grade
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Post by beez on Jul 25, 2008 16:49:58 GMT 10
Forget spain... lets have cats build up something first there. Scotland looks like the next target, Ireland I think are looking to be self sufficient. Thing is the expansion talk is everywhere except in Australia. Its a dirty word at the moment for adminstrators and many Aus fans just cant see oputside their own clubs to how big RL is and can be. Have you heard of a New Zealand league magazine called "Superleague II"? They have brought up the idea of a second tier NRL competition involving teams from the Pacific Islands, NZ and other regions of Australia. I'll hunt down the article and post it up. It seems a far fetched idea but is very interesting. |
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Post by Marv on Jul 25, 2008 16:59:02 GMT 10
I have heard a few people saying something about Barca FC showing some interest in RL. There has been some murmurings from Barca president. Usually though partnerships between two european sports clubs doeasnt go too well. remember Barcas Euro NFL team? I have often wondered why Spain never had a national team? surely they could find enough players from the french league and perhaps some locals aswell to form a team. Maybe they have never done it because they were unaware of the game or uninterseted? Ireland have been self sufficient but I have to think that if the RFL offered them a team in the NL's they'd take it. I agree mate. I would honestly not be too suprised if Lokomotiv made a bid for SL. Could be 2018, 2015 or maybe even 2012. They have the financial backing and perhaps the support, only problem I could think of are distance and local playing staff, honestly how many russians are upto SL? probably 2 or 3 ATM, I could be wrong though. I wouldnt be surprised if they made a bid one day, who knows really. I dont think there would even be one single player up the task of SL personally jim not even roman. |
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Post by Marv on Jul 25, 2008 17:27:31 GMT 10
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