Post by Ryan N on Sept 1, 2008 19:04:01 GMT 10
Why Reds should be there next time
by Ryan Norman
A lot of controversy has surrounded the NRL this year. Most of it sparked by the Sonny Bill Williams "walk out". There were great debates on the Footy Show and Gallop came out in denial that the game is in crisis. Sadly, it is. David Gallop is becoming delusional. The game is too congested (especially in Sydney) and Gallop immediately dismissed the idea of the WA Reds returning. As did Fatty Vautin (but let's face it, did he ever have any credibility?).
I recently returned from a trip to Melbourne representing South Eastern NSW in Rugby Union (shows you the sorry state the Union is in, hey). But in all seriousness, I found out the facts about the state of Rugby League down there. I met with people from the Whyndham City Rhinos rugby club who had plenty to say. Originally they were a Rugby League club, as were many other rugby clubs in the Melbourne area. Basically, the NRL is not throwing enough into Melbourne's grass-root levels footy. The competition was not serious enough, there were not enough clubs, and basically, why wouldn't they switch to union? The kids I played against in U/16s (the Victoria A side, not even the cream of the crop) were easily quality enough to make it into the U/20s squad and then eventually the NRL. However, when I asked about the Toyota Cup Melbourne side, trying to regain credibility for the "Greatest Game of All" I found out that there are only a couple players from Victoria there. Disappointing. Fact: Digby Ioane who has represented the Wallabies on a few occasions is a junior from Victoria.
Now to the Reds. The almighty Reds. Western Australia is the 3rd strongest Rugby League area (behind NSW and Queensland). Not Victoria, however much Gallop, the media and whoever else misleads you. So why aren't they having a team. If the NRL are financially "holding-up" Melbourne, as David Gallop admitted, then why not go to Perth? Wait, that's right, they will only get crowds around 5,000 (says Gallop). However, if you look back in time and pull out some facts you will see that; in 1989 Canterbury played a match against Canberra at the WACA in Perth, the crowd? 21,992. That's not even with a Perth team for them to support! And now you look at NRL crowds now, miserable, 6,000 for some Sydney clubs not long ago. So why not the Reds? Right now, unlike the Titans and Melbourne they are trying to progress to the NRL for 2011. They are performing credibly in the Jim Beam Cup, what could be called reserve grade for Sydney based NRL clubs. Then they aim to progress to QLD Cup in 2010 and finally the NRL in the next year. Gallop, shame on you. Why add another club who will have to buy a lot of players to fill their roster when look, there's one ready made for you.
Maybe, the NRL should think about what's happening in Melbourne, the AFL pushing to become national and yet we continue with the cold shoulder to Perth. They have been screaming out for this since the end of Super League. Don't forget them when it comes time to add a new franchise...
by Ryan Norman
A lot of controversy has surrounded the NRL this year. Most of it sparked by the Sonny Bill Williams "walk out". There were great debates on the Footy Show and Gallop came out in denial that the game is in crisis. Sadly, it is. David Gallop is becoming delusional. The game is too congested (especially in Sydney) and Gallop immediately dismissed the idea of the WA Reds returning. As did Fatty Vautin (but let's face it, did he ever have any credibility?).
I recently returned from a trip to Melbourne representing South Eastern NSW in Rugby Union (shows you the sorry state the Union is in, hey). But in all seriousness, I found out the facts about the state of Rugby League down there. I met with people from the Whyndham City Rhinos rugby club who had plenty to say. Originally they were a Rugby League club, as were many other rugby clubs in the Melbourne area. Basically, the NRL is not throwing enough into Melbourne's grass-root levels footy. The competition was not serious enough, there were not enough clubs, and basically, why wouldn't they switch to union? The kids I played against in U/16s (the Victoria A side, not even the cream of the crop) were easily quality enough to make it into the U/20s squad and then eventually the NRL. However, when I asked about the Toyota Cup Melbourne side, trying to regain credibility for the "Greatest Game of All" I found out that there are only a couple players from Victoria there. Disappointing. Fact: Digby Ioane who has represented the Wallabies on a few occasions is a junior from Victoria.
Now to the Reds. The almighty Reds. Western Australia is the 3rd strongest Rugby League area (behind NSW and Queensland). Not Victoria, however much Gallop, the media and whoever else misleads you. So why aren't they having a team. If the NRL are financially "holding-up" Melbourne, as David Gallop admitted, then why not go to Perth? Wait, that's right, they will only get crowds around 5,000 (says Gallop). However, if you look back in time and pull out some facts you will see that; in 1989 Canterbury played a match against Canberra at the WACA in Perth, the crowd? 21,992. That's not even with a Perth team for them to support! And now you look at NRL crowds now, miserable, 6,000 for some Sydney clubs not long ago. So why not the Reds? Right now, unlike the Titans and Melbourne they are trying to progress to the NRL for 2011. They are performing credibly in the Jim Beam Cup, what could be called reserve grade for Sydney based NRL clubs. Then they aim to progress to QLD Cup in 2010 and finally the NRL in the next year. Gallop, shame on you. Why add another club who will have to buy a lot of players to fill their roster when look, there's one ready made for you.
Maybe, the NRL should think about what's happening in Melbourne, the AFL pushing to become national and yet we continue with the cold shoulder to Perth. They have been screaming out for this since the end of Super League. Don't forget them when it comes time to add a new franchise...
