The bid to become the 18th NRL team has been thrown into even more uncertainty as Perth have shot into serious contention.
New West Australian premier Roger Cook has reportedly wasted no time in office, after making a phone call to independent commission boss Peter V'landys to begin his efforts to make sure Perth is the next side in the NRL, according to a Daily Telegraph report.
Following the on-field and off-field financial success of newly instated Dolphins in the NRL, Perth's interest has skyrocketed especially after another successful origin match in the city last year, followed by a NRL double header in the coming weeks.
It seems Cook's cries for a team are not falling on deaf ears as V'landys is already giving the proposal serious thought.
"Perth has to be high on the table now, especially with a premier so passionate about wanting to have a team there. They warrant serious consideration," V'landys told the publication.
“If you've got a government that's going to get 100 per cent behind you, you've got a run-up start. We had a really good conversation and we'll be chatting again. The fact he rang in his first week in the job shows how keen they are.”
While WA prepare an official proposal, the NRL is set to consider further rapid expansion, eyeing off a 20 team competition already spearheaded by Roosters chairman Nick Politis.
Also worth noting is that the current NRL broadcasting deal expires at the end of 2027, meaning if the NRL can fast track 20 teams before this point, they will have some great footing to argue for a bigger price-tag with the addition of even more games every year.
However, as we are all swept away by the possible and probable newcomers to the NRL, Zero Tackle run the rule over every possible expansion location.
4. Central Queensland
Previously bidding in 2009, Central Queensland are likely still desperate to represent themselves in the top level of the game.
The region is a major player in rugby league junior development and still features two sides in the Queensland cup, being the Central Queensland Capras and Mackay Cutters.
It is also extremely safe to assume the team could draw crowds, being in-between Townsville and Brisbane and in a rugby league heartland.
However, the development and funding for the side and a bigger stadium is the main hurdle here. With both Rockhampton and Mackay boasting as suitable locations their stadium capacities currently sit at a 8,000 and 12,000 total respectively.
The current stadium offerings are simply too small, with minimum NRL venue requirements demanding 15,000 seats with at least 5,000 undercover.
Should a Central Queensland investor wish to introduce themselves or if the Cutters or Capras suddenly wanted a taste of NRL, if financially plausable the NRL would likely have no issue with the prospect as it serves as another safe bet in rugby league heartland.
Another unimaginative but inoffensive option here, though it is also hard to see NRL falling flat in this area so consideration to the area will definitely be taking place.
