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.
8. Victoria
Finally, the most ambitious location of them all. In a time where the Storm have begun welcoming solid numbers into AAMI park, the NRL will be considering another shot at the Victorian Market.
This one is the biggest gamble the NRL could take, and they would certainly know it. Almost certain to have a lower return on investment than other options due to AFL's dominance in the state, a new team would have to cop some severe growing pains as they attempt to find their audience in a market that doesn't offer much of one at all.
If the Melbourne Storm have a hard time despite their success, you can only imagine how a second Victorian team would go for crowd numbers especially if they suffered in performances.
While junior rugby league in the state is growing, a new side would likely have to set up pathways elsewhere even further hurting their chances of admission.
While there is always a chance, especially with someone as ambitious as Peter V'landys involved this would come as the biggest surprise.
Though it should also be said, if by some miracle this was done well it would perhaps be the most impactful for the NRL in pinching an enormous market and would undoubtedly be a masterstroke by the league.
