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.
6. Papua New Guinea
The biggest mixed bag of the contenders is by far our other neighbours in Papua New Guinea.
PNG is one of only two countries in the world with rugby league as it's national sport (the Cook Islands is the other one), and the support they give the NRL is second to none, while they have also produced plenty of talent with an unquestionable stock of juniors.
Additionally they boast some impressive alumni such as Melbourne's brick wall in Justin Olam, and an international ranking of sixth meaning there is no doubts the side can be competitive and one with plenty of depth.
With Port Moresby's National Football Stadium being redeveloped in 2017 to assist in hosting the World Cup the ground now seats 14,800. While this is well below many in the NRL it still has room surrounding it for possible expansion and you are almost guaranteed a sellout for every match at the venue.
The move would provide international growth for the game however not growth that is needed as PNG is already essentially secured territory for the NRL. Therefore this is a matter on if the NRL is willing to thank the fans rather than look for more eyes elsewhere.
While the move would be great to see, I can't imagine it is too high on the NRL's priority list given the lack of competition in the area offering minimal damage to rival codes should they travel to the Kumuls home territory.
