All Sydney Club Comp, does it have merit?

[Henchmann]

Just putting an idea out there, no unjustified ridiculing please! Ha ha ha

Friends of mine have been considering the future of the game and Sydney based clubs. Well before the current economic misfortune, there have always been calls for the amount of Sydney based teams to be cut down or merged, which I think we all agree, would potentially affect our club.

Our idea was this – far from letting much loved and historic Sydney clubs die or making them merge, they create a new Sydney based comp called the Sydney Cup or Sydney Suburban League. This would obviously include all current Sydney clubs including our beloved Sharkies, and you could bring back the likes of Newtown and North’s to compete. With the comp to run in sequence to the broader National - Trans Tasman comp.

Before you all choke or roll around with laughter, it might be best to explain myself? My thoughts are what do we love seeing? Sharks vs Saints, Parra, Eagles or do we REALLY enjoy Sharks vs Nth Qld ,New Zealand or Melbourne? Clearly there would be many pro’s and con’s and I believe it would be a good discussion point for this forum.

Pro’s

• The Sharks would be more secure, and we could watch them play all our most respected and/or reviled Sydney teams more often.
• With more games against historic rivals it could increase crowd numbers?
• It could be another ‘League’ product to sell to the Networks generating more money?
• Would this strengthen the game as a whole?
• More chance for talent to come through?
• Could potentially destroy AFL in Sydney forever. Now that makes me smile )

Cons

• It could also be a failure making it difficult for many clubs to move back into the National comp if it folds.
• It could not be as popular as we suspect therefore damaging the game.
• Players could desert to the National league for a higher profile or cash?
• If successful it could take away from the national game, with flow on effects for the International game.
• Could become the new NSW Cup with little TV exposure?

My personal opinion is I would see more of the type of footy I like? Sharks v Saints, Parra or Dogs. However the risks could far outweigh the benefits. Now - I apologise for those that think I’m off with the fairies, but for those that have an open mind I am very interested in your opinion.

 

[Megashark]

The idea certainly has merit, and would warrant further investigation as an alternative to any future merger or relocation - both very unpalatable to me as a longtime supporter.

 

[pandapat]

We need less Sydney teams ;l

 

[brad]

not a terrible idea but dont think it is possibility. unfortunately it will just come down to some of the sydney folding or relocating.

 

[peachey]

We need less Sydney teams ;l

please tell me your joking

less sydney teams = pissing off thousands of fans = losing them to other sports = lost money...at norths and newtown fans

if idiot people had there way, we (sharks) wouldnt be in the comp, thankfully they dont run the comp

 

[Garbs]

It's possible, alright, as long as you like your club to bottom tier. There's already a Sydney comp, Jim Beam Cup, or whatever they call it these days.

You couldn't have a top line Sydney comp at equal footing with the NRL for one simple reason - nobody would invest in it. Sponsors and advertisers see the national comp as a big drawcard, as it allows the expansion of their brand across all sorts of areas. They'd jump ship in droves if this idea were to even be remotely suggested.

 

[fancyman]

i would love to go back to a sydney/nsw comp. and let NRL go their own way,
i went to Henson park last night and i was like the old days
when you could travel to every game.
and the grounds were packed, with 50/50 supporters.
a new comp and you could call it REAL league and bring back the old rules.
like
feeding the scrum down the middle of the tunnel and pushing. feeding the scrum on the ten meter line so that it creates a back line again in stead of boring center aside every scrum.
rucking in the play the ball.
collars on the jumpers.
etc,
the teams could be
sharks
dragons
penrith
parra
wests
tigers
bears centeral coast
souths
manly
easts
illawarra
knights
winsor
raiders
orange

 

[hitman124]

The AFL has too much money, and too much success (Home and away crowds of 90000+, nrl didnt acheive that once last yr, or for last 9 years for that matter)
The Sydney Swans will always have a following and membership base larger than any nrl club, with the plan to have a western sydney afl side in 4 or 5 yrs.
Do we really enjoy sharks vs nth qld, yes!, well aslong as we are kicking thier arse ofcourse.
Would you rather see you sharks as Sydney premiers? Or NATIONAL premiers.

If you cant tell I am from Victoria.

 

[Henchmann]

What about this idea -

A shorter National comp with a second comp later in the year between top 8 Super League & NRL clubs – a truly World Club championship? Far from competing with SL we would be in partnership drawing on each other’s strengths? Play the games half here half in England, share the final? The exposure for sponsors would certainly provide a good cash boost for the game as a whole. Plus those all important media TV deals.