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.
Following the new premiers interest in becoming involved in the NRL and Vlaynds' clear interest in moving the game west I would think Perth is the clear top pick for the next expansion team.
Selling out two origin matches already, boasting a solid 60,000 seat Optus stadium they are clearly well equipped to handle the competition. There is also the rectangular stadium in the city which will likely be far more suitable to regular season NRL.
Even reportedly offering to partner up with former NRL side the North Sydney Bears, it seems that Perth are doing everything right when it comes to their NRL bid.
And that's not even to mention the timezone benefit they bring to the NRL - that 6pm Sunday game would be 4pm in Perth, or a late Saturday game on the east coast would become playable, which, in TV networks eyes, would be a big winner.
Also majorly backed by current NRL chairmen and CEOs, Perth was voted the most popular expansion choice in a survey earlier in the year sent exclusively to the club head honchos.
However perhaps the biggest factor is the NRL's desire to constantly get a leg-up on their biggest rival in the AFL. Desperately wanting a side to rival AFL in the area, it seems a safe bet that V'landys and the NRL would want a way to strip crowds away from the AFL.
Either way it is painfully obvious that both Perth has an appetite for the game and that the game is more than willing to provide it, having already tested the waters in recent years it would be more surprising if the next team is anybody but Perth.
Yet another case of the NRL hoping to put a dent in a rival code and what better way to do it then another team in rugby union's heartland of New Zealand.
With the Warriors largely based in Auckland, a second side in Wellington could definitely spark some interest in the nation especially with the prospect of a New Zealand derby on home soil.
The prospect is heavily backed by Fox League commentator Andrew Voss, who claims it would only continue to strengthen international rugby league.
"I think it also then would give young Kiwi players the chance for more opportunities than just the Warriors or having to come to Australia and link up with Australian clubs," Voss said.
"I just think having two avenues to pathways for them across New Zealand is important."
Although the Warriors will fight tooth and nail to ensure they remain the nations sole representative in the competition, do not be surprised if the NRL ignores their concerns to make another attempted blow to Super Rugby's already poor crowd attendances.
The only question mark here is whether or not there are investors across the ditch willing to invest in a team and whether or not they have a deep enough wallet to compete with other prospects.
If deep pockets are the biggest concern for the NRL look no further than another Brisbane team.
While it may not be a massive blow to other football codes, the NRL does get another team in a tried and true rugby league heartland with all-but guaranteed return on investment.
It will not make any waves in the sporting world especially after the inclusion of the Dolphins in the NRL, though it shapes as the safest bet available, which is I would feel comfortable in betting they will be one team to make an appearance should we have 20 in the coming years.
Already showing willingness to cooperate with the NRL, the Brisbane Tigers changed their team name in the last round of bidding to avoid clashing with the Wests Tigers who are already in the NRL
The club have officially launched their campaign to become Team 18 in recent times, although it's unclear whether they will go with the Firehawks, or revert to the Tigers this time around.
Offering 90 years of history with the Brisbane Tigers and having had plenty of big name alumni including Cody Walker, Garreth Widdop, Felise Kafusi and Cameron Munster among many others they boast a foundation unrivalled by other bidders.
However, the bid is likely to be met with retaliation from the Broncos due to the prospect of playing out of Suncorp and that will be a major hurdle.
Though being a competition vs club debate, if the NRL identifies Brisbane as a suitable location for expansion the Broncos will have little say in the decision.
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.
I think everybody agrees we do not need another Sydney team. But if there was ever a reason to make an exception it would be for a club with as much history and passion as the North Sydney Bears.
Arguably the Bears have more history than some current NRL sides and a still lingering and loyal fanbase even including some high-profile names including comedian Jim Jeffries and Channel Nine host James Bracey.
However, when you are attempting to launch into (or back into) the NRL some flexibility is required, especially when you come from a place as saturated as Sydney.
The Bears have been floated to become a merger side with other prospects such as Perth or even the Central Coast of NSW which is not ideal for the clubs management but may be a pill they are forced to swallow despite promising enough funding for a solo-venture last year.
Despite the promised funds, the Bears best chance does seem to lie in the prospect of a merger as the NRL will undoubtedly favour an expansion that is both another team and another geographical presence which they currently do not offer.
Should they get over this hurdle however, the Bears may suddenly become a very serious contender.
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.
Similarly to PNG, this is a case of strengthening the game competitively rather than financially.
While the Pacific Islands does offer some damage into rugby union talent stocks it is majorly another area locked down by the NRL, especially following Samoa and Tonga's recent success at an international level.
The prevalence of their players goes without saying, with Pacific Islanders dominating the game at every level, therefore it is another case of reward for service.
Realistically, the NRL will only look to expand here once they have won the battle of the codes. Financial investment will likely be hard to find for this prospect which while sad for the fans and local juniors is the main factor here.
Without a doubt fans would love watching a side that would promise as much size and flashy play as one from the Pacific but currently I feel they are a victim of their own success in that they already have that much representation through the league the nations fans have already been won over.
Additionally, not helping their case is the stadium argument. Between the main competitors of Tonga and Samoa their biggest ground seats 12,000 which similarly to PNG is not enough for the NRL.
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.
