While stressing no concrete decisions have been made, ARL Commissioner Peter Beattie said the two-conference model idea is part of the NRL s mantra to continually look for innovative ways to make the sport better.
The NRL has been canvassing clubs on the potential of splitting the competition into conferences in what would be one of the biggest restructures in the game s history.
As part of long-term expansion plans being explored, several NRL clubs – including the Dragons and Eels – have been pitched the conference concept among a variety of proposals, as first reported by the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday night.
Rugby league will have the chance to break the world record for the biggest crowd at a sporting event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when State of Origin kicks off in Melbourne on June 9.
At the series launch at a picturesque Melbourne Arts Centre on Wednesday, Victorian MP Martin Pakula confirmed that 85,000 spectators would be allowed into the MCG for game one of the best-of-three series between the defending champion Queensland Maroons and NSW Blues.
ARL Commissioner Peter Beattie is backing sports-mad Melburnians to come out in big numbers and eclipse the 78,113 fans that attended the AFL s traditional Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon.
PBCN membership elect Bird as chief
The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) has elected their next chief.
Karen Bird, who is from the community of Southend/Reindeer Lake has been elected to succeed Peter Beatty, who did not seek re-election.
Bird finished ahead of five other candidates who were seeking the office. This was Bird’s third run for chief of PBCN and this will be her first time holding elected office. She has previously worked in administration and as a consultant.
Speaking to MBC Radio News before the election, Bird said some big issues for her and her campaign were accountability and the issue of housing in the First Nation’s communities.
Origin coaches Brad Fittler and Paul Green believe there is merit to the NRL potentially adopting a conference system down the track, particularly if it can build rivalries.
Fittler and Green, who attended the Ampol State of Origin launch in Melbourne, said they would like to see more detail before giving the proposal their full backing
ARL Commissioner Peter Beattie confirmed on Wednesday that the league was looking at splitting teams geographically in the future if and when the Telstra Premiership expanded to 18 teams.
Fittler said there would be advantages for teams and fans if a draw was set up with clubs playing conference rivals twice and the other sides once each season during a two-year cycle.
Politics by Matthew Killoran
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Subscriber only One of Queensland s most successful premiers, Peter Beattie, has delivered a brutally frank assessment of why Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull failed to capitalise on their promise in the Ânation s top job, saying there s a fine line between genius and narcissism . Mr Beattie said both men had been seen as saviours for their party, but the presidential style of campaigning they ran came with enhanced risks. Former prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas The risk is if you don t take your party with you, they cut your head off, Mr Beattie has told a Sky News program about the two former prime ministers.