2024 NRL General Discussion

Vichyssoise

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I can't see Paps leaving Melb. As long as their offer isn't too far off the market
They must really like his back up (name escapes me) or be worried about Paps durability.
If the report is true, as much as they supposedly like him, they're apparently ready to move on, should Paps feel offended by their offer.
My guess is he stays anyway because this is all smoke & mirrors.
 

apezza

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They must really like his back up (name escapes me) or be worried about Paps durability.
If the report is true, as much as they supposedly like him, they're apparently ready to move on, should Paps feel offended by their offer.
My guess is he stays anyway because this is all smoke & mirrors.
Fa'alogo is his back up. Agree about the smoke and mirrors part.
 

CrazyMatt

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From Danny Weirdler

It will be a big few weeks for Ryan Papenhuyzen given that the Storm are now privately conceding their superstar fullback will test his worth on the open market.

The Storm have been in negotiations with Papenhuyzen for several weeks and remain hopeful of keeping him, but the harsh reality is they are offering him less money than his current contract to stay.


I completely agree with Melbourne here. Paps is not worth over a million dollars anymore due to his continued injury issues. Any club that pays that for him is taking an insane risk.
 

TownsvilleTigerShark

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Hmmm.
The usual suspects will call me a conspiracy theorist, but this is my take on it.

The NRL (PVL and Abdo) know they can’t continue with a bye round. It’s not feasible or smart business, so they know they need at least 1 new club. 1 new club won’t affect the draw much, if at all (maybe 1 extra round, maybe) but gives them more broadcast dollars for that extra game.

So they set some rules, allowing consortium’s to apply as a good public relations exercise. Stating that “We will consider all appropriate applications………” (ahum, but under their breath, PNG with its Australian Federally backed politically driven bankroll is our only real desire).

Submissions will need to now include a multi million licence fee payable upfront (which has never ever been the case in the history of the sport and we reserve the right to move the goal posts for those we aren’t really interested in).

So in my opinion, there is 1 real bid they are serious about with maybe 2 back up locations the NRL is really interested in.

They will want “green shoot“ locations, with shiny new toys [teams] not a relocated team with old skeletons and past history (Bears, Jets).

Another SE QLD team dilutes the existing 3 teams for talent and supporters, and wouldn’t be considered as “green shoots”.
Maybe central QLD as an option thou????

Both PVL and Abdo affectively said at the Perth 9‘s that Perth wouldn’t get a team as long as they are part of the NRL as they deemed a lack of interest from the WA public (not exactly those words, but to that affect)

So, in saying that………, The NRL’s preferred options are

1. Aust Government Federally funded multi million dollar deal in PNG

Daylight.

2. One of 2 locations in NZ (preferably South Island)
- The only realistic location then would be Christchurch (Wellington as the back up)

Issue with
option 1 is the security risks and getting players to move to PNG (gunna be very difficult)

option 2a
Does Christchurch have a big enough following for league? Union 1000% yes, but I don’t know what the appetite for league is there (maybe someone in the know can advise?)

option 2b,
same as option 2a but also (it’s still the North Island).

So, my guess is that the NRL only really has 1 team in their sights and all other suitors are just a PR cover so they don’t get any public backlash.
Option 1, is a very political move by the NRL, Federal government, no doubt the Feds will support this because Australia has dropped the ball in regional politics, and is playing catch up big time. China is getting a foothold in the region, which is concerning and the Feds are in panic mode trying to make it up to New Guinea, Solomon islands etc. Nothing against PNG, and we should support them after everything they have done for us , but I would like to see a team in your backyard, wether the Bears or Jets, it's only a 2 hours time difference in winter so no big deal, and it would be a real National comp then.
 

egg

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Option 1, is a very political move by the NRL, Federal government, no doubt the Feds will support this because Australia has dropped the ball in regional politics, and is playing catch up big time. China is getting a foothold in the region, which is concerning and the Feds are in panic mode trying to make it up to New Guinea, Solomon islands etc. Nothing against PNG, and we should support them after everything they have done for us , but I would like to see a team in your backyard, wether the Bears or Jets, it's only a 2 hours time difference in winter so no big deal, and it would be a real National comp then.
Not sure we need another Club north of the Tweed , the existing ones already suck ;)
 

Gards

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Wasn't a heap of interest for VFL/AFL in Sydney prior to the South Melbourne club moving up here and building a profile over time as the Swans but that's the thing it took time, they weren't instantly popular.

WA needs a team, time, resources and support. RL shouldn't just be a east coast game same as AFL didn't want to just be a Southern game.

Saying there is no interest or desire for a WA team is a cop out when crappy clubs like the Gold Coast Titans exist and have an NRL license

Agree on PNG, it's cause of Chiiiiiiiiiina (trump voice) not cause the government loves Rugby League
 

Gumby

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Perth needs it own team 100% and should be the next team added into the comp.
NZ doesn't need a second team at the moment. They can't even get it right with 1 team.
PNG is the stupidest ****ing place on earth to have its on NRL team.
NSW doesn't need anymore teams.
South East QLD doesn't need anymore teams at this stage however in the future i think they should look at one more out of Brisbane due to its size.
Adelaide? Really don't know if it would work there currently?
Melbourne? 2nd biggest city in the Country, is there an argument to be had to have to add a 2nd team down here perhaps?
 

Gards

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Could NRL go International . Chinese Team, Bulldogs away games cld be useful for Governments, outreach Diplomacy.

I still dream of the day international disputes could be settled with a game of Rugby League or backyard cricket instead of wars.

Ukraine vs. Russia
China vs. Australia
Israel vs. Middle East Allstars

Then we really will need a Bunker for video refs.
 
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