BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

We have seen some crazy concepts thrown up recently and it all started after a story leaked that the NRL was considering a two-conference premiership with all Sydney clubs in one and the rest dumped to another.

Since then we’ve had some wild ideas tossed up.

Another was promotion and relegation and bringing some old Sydney teams back from the dead.

While we are all at it… let’s go back to a story I’ve been tossing about since 2013.

An NRL Summer League!

Some key points:

• Teams made up of league growth areas like PNG, Perth, Darwin, Wellington and outposts like Adelaide
• Would also include teams from Country NSW and Country QLD
• Games played over a shorter time (thirty minute halves) and all matches at night due to heat
• Unlimited interchange
• All matches beamed into homes in prime-time and go up against the BBL
• Each team is allocated two NRL clubs
• NRL, NSW Cup and QLD Cup clubs could use these games as part of their off-season and manage player workloads through match fitness in NRL Summer League. Players returning from injury could also do so here rather than the grinding training field
• Free agents could also earn a contract by impressing in the league
• Each team is allocated emerging nations and assigned players from that country
• Budding players from around the world could come and try their luck
• Teams can also sign recently-retired legends for some additional star power like a Sonny Bill Williams

This Summer League is for legitimate fringe guys, non-contracted players, free agents, players returning from injury, guys playing in the local Perth premiership and the next big thing in Papua New Guinea or Fiji.

The eight clubs would consist of the West Coast Pirates, Adelaide Rams, Northern Territory, Country NSW, Country QLD, Wellington, Christchurch and a side from PNG.

Each side in the summer league can be allocated two NRL clubs which would feed them players. Much has been said about how intense NRL pre-season is these days and how many players are getting injured. What would be wrong with lightening certain player workloads with some actual games?

For example, Canterbury winger Christian Crichton has been ruled out of the season with a knee injury. The Bulldogs, linked to say Country NSW, could bring Crichton back in a match between Country NSW and Adelaide in Wagga Wagga or Albury.

Above all, this is an opportunity to tap into these developing markets with some footy at a time almost unopposed.

@woodward_curtis