[i"Back then, he points out, the club attracted crowds of more than 17,000 people at the WACA a venue hardly ideal
for spectators to watch rugby league."[/i
OK...I am all for expansion and getting the game into new areas, but the above extract is a bIt odd.

31 games over 3 seasons....2 attendances over 17k (I have to say, a very odd number to pluck out of the air) with only a further 2 gates over 15k and over 50% of their games UNDER 10K.

Full list of attendances with all but 1 played at the WACA......

24932
20985
15909
15151
12760
12307
12201
11255
11109
10750
10735
10442
10226
10203
9701
9345
9200
9108
9103
8462
8102
7564
7204
7135 PERTH
7042
6584
6535
6403
5889
5728
5083

It's all well and good blaming the SL war for the demise of WA RL, but bitching about it 14 years later isn't very business minded as the article says later
[iBut for all his business expertise, Hobbs cannot hide his childlike enthusiasm.[/i

Meninga Backs WA for NRL Team Quote: The issue is not about Perth coming back into the competition it's about how you do that, " Rugby league legend Mal Meninga believes it is inevitable that WA will join the National Rugby League. How it happens is another matter. The record-breaking former Australian, Queensland and Canberra Raiders captain and Maroons State of Origin coach said the new NRL commission would need to make tough decisions over the expansion that was expected to include a WA Reds side within three years. Meninga said a priority was ensuring a good spread of talented players. "The issue is not about Perth coming back into the competition it's about how you do that," Meninga said. "It's inevitable and it's important that WA is included in any expansion if we are going to be a truly national rugby league. '" au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/ ... -nrl-team/

Meninga Backs WA for NRL Team Quote: The issue is not about Perth coming back into the competition it's about how you do that, " Rugby league legend Mal Meninga believes it is inevitable that WA will join the National Rugby League. How it happens is another matter. The record-breaking former Australian, Queensland and Canberra Raiders captain and Maroons State of Origin coach said the new NRL commission would need to make tough decisions over the expansion that was expected to include a WA Reds side within three years. Meninga said a priority was ensuring a good spread of talented players. "The issue is not about Perth coming back into the competition it's about how you do that," Meninga said. "It's inevitable and it's important that WA is included in any expansion if we are going to be a truly national rugby league. '" au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/ ... -nrl-team/

Went to Perth last year and thinking of moving out there end of the year, if they had an NRL that would be great and cure the homesickness.

Here are the plans for "Our House" (the big file): www.dsr.wa.gov.au/nibstadium It lays out the facilities, size etc. work is due to commence at the end of this year on stage one. Big games such as finals, SOO, Test matches etc would be played at Perth's new $1.5bill multi purpose stadium Summary 25,000 all seater Cost $232 million corporates 40 suites, 120 boxes, 2 x300 person lounges 3 home team changing rooms, one dedicated to each tennant team Commencing late 2011, full completion 2018

Here are the plans for "Our House" (the big file): www.dsr.wa.gov.au/nibstadium It lays out the facilities, size etc. work is due to commence at the end of this year on stage one. Big games such as finals, SOO, Test matches etc would be played at Perth's new $1.5bill multi purpose stadium Summary 25,000 all seater Cost $232 million corporates 40 suites, 120 boxes, 2 x300 person lounges 3 home team changing rooms, one dedicated to each tennant team Commencing late 2011, full completion 2018

Confirmed East stand will be stage 1 The State Government has reversed tack on the redevelopment of rectangular nib stadium in East Perth, deciding it will now include corporate facilities in the planned new eastern grandstand. State Cabinet on Monday approved an increase in the grandstand project's budget to $95.1 million from $88.5 million so extra facilities can be included when it goes to tender later this year. The stand will include 56 open corporate boxes, seating 420, and a 250-people barbecue terrace. au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa ... r-stadium/

Confirmed East stand will be stage 1 The State Government has reversed tack on the redevelopment of rectangular nib stadium in East Perth, deciding it will now include corporate facilities in the planned new eastern grandstand. State Cabinet on Monday approved an increase in the grandstand project's budget to $95.1 million from $88.5 million so extra facilities can be included when it goes to tender later this year. The stand will include 56 open corporate boxes, seating 420, and a 250-people barbecue terrace. au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa ... r-stadium/