Despite grassroots bush football needing the National Rugby League more than ever more NRL trial matches in 2016 will be played in Sydney then was the case twenty-one years ago in 1995.

If you are old enough to remember the Tooheys Cup pre-season competition than you’re old enough to remember that bush footy used to get a real crack. Matches were played across the land and for good reason too because rugby league isn’t just about the “cashed up city slickers”.

12,000 fans showed up to the 1993 Final between Canberra and Western Suburbs in Dubbo because the supporters out there still thought they were wanted – that they were part of the game. How many came along to the Country v City Origin clash in 2014 in the same town? Only 9000.

The fact is the game is moving back in the right direction with games to be played as far and wide as Alice Springs, Bundaberg, Orange and Nelson in New Zealand. On top of that, St George Illawarra will travel all the way to Rockhampton to face Queensland Cup outfit Central Capras (well done Dragons).

But still six games in Sydney?

With all the money in the modern game why can’t these clubs give a little back?

We as a code can’t be comfortable settling for close enough is good enough because that’s been the game’s motto for far too long. In 1992, zero Tooheys Cup matches were played in Sydney and while clubs may have eventually agreed to a last-minute game after elimination, the emphasis and the direction was to truly spread the gospel of rugby league.

This year Cronulla will play Manly at Remondis Stadium. Surely both teams could have jumped on a bus and made the trip further south to say Nowra or Batemans Bay?

The Sharks will then play Wests Tigers at Campbelltown while the Sea Eagles have forced Queensland Cup team Ipswich to travel to Sydney just for a game. Maybe they could have at least met in the middle at Coffs Harbour?

 
1992: 0 games in Sydney
Brisbane (Double Header), Newcastle (Double Header), Nambucca Heads (Double Header), Lismore (Double Header), Wagga Wagga (Double Header), Bathurst (Double Header), Wellington (NZ), Auckland (NZ), Dubbo.
*Both semi-finals were played in New Zealand
*Zero games played in Sydney
*Illawarra defeated Brisbane in the Final

1993: 2 games in Sydney
Parramatta (Double Header), Brisbane (Double Header), Ballina (Double Header), Newcastle (Double Header), Armidale (Double Header), Albury, Bega, Dubbo.
*Only games played in Sydney were the first two – a double header
*Canberra and Western Suburbs played off in the Final in Dubbo
*Canberra travelled to Newcastle, Armidale, Bega and Dubbo

1994: 2 games in Sydney
Penrith (Double Header), Brisbane (Double Header), Port Macquarie (Double Header), Newcastle (Double Header), Parkes (Double Header), Narrandera (Double Header), Alice Springs, Gunnedah, Albury.
*Only games played in Sydney were the first two – a double header
*A double header was played in Narrandera – a six hour drive from Sydney
*Final was played in Albury between South Sydney and Brisbane

1995: 4 games in Sydney (20 teams)
Coolum (Double Header), Newcastle (Double Header), Redfern 2, Carrara 2, Parramatta (Double Header), Coffs Harbour (Double Header), Inverell (Double Header), Bega (Double Header), West Wyalong, Cobar, Albury.
*Brisbane and Newcastle travelled all the way to Bega for a trial
*Four teams travelled to Inverell for a double header
*Final was played in Albury between Brisbane and Cronulla

2016: 6 games in Sydney
Bundaberg, Whangerai, Sunshine Coast, Penrith, Charity Shield – Sydney, Alice Springs, Cronulla, Campbelltown, Nelson (NZ), Belmore, Orange, Gold Coast, Penrith (Only NRL v NRL matches considered)
*Panthers to play two home trials at Pepper Stadium in Penrith
*Cronulla will play a trial at home and one in Campbelltown
*Ipswich QLD Cup team will travel to the Northern Beaches to play Manly at Narrabeen

@woodward_curtis

Video Source: Youtube – joecoolyowza