Ok fine. lets kick Norths out then for not having 3rd/4th grades. (They have 3rd & 4th Grade)
I am arguing against this idea simply because
1).Logan made the investment in the facility,
Except they they didn't, unlike Wests who took on debt to make sure they had their new facilty. The Logan facilty cost $4.5M. They recieved $3M from Logan Council, $1.5M from the State, with Logan Council paying for maintainance at a downward yearly rate (1st year 100%, 2nd year less, etc. down to nothing in the near future.)
2) the cattle #'s increases when they are allowed to play on premier ranch
Norths have been apart of Premier Rugby for 60 years. They've struggled for 35. Not once did the number of talented players go skyrocketedly up, until the last 3 years. They had to put shitloads of money into the program and go physically to players all over Brisbane to ensure that they were able to put out 6 Grades and 2 Colts sides. Its taken 35 years, to finally look like a functional club and Norths never only had 2 grades and no colts.
3) this game is already being run by a bunch of dbag suits and ties whether thats the QRU board or Bill Pulver & his henchmen down in Sydney. I don't see this as a Logan centric problem with lack of teams but rather the grassroots strategy of growing the game of rugby being mothballed so that the corporate wigs can focus on their own individual wages & bonuses ect. (I would rather QRU continue their path for the inclusion of the Saints into premier competition & give them the required support <which looks like they are doing> rather then overreact to what a bunch of pundits are saying on the G&Gforums)
I agree that more time and effort needs to be put into areas like Logan, Ipswich and Caboolture, those are three areas that should be super strong in terms of Rugby, but have been pretty much ignored. That being said a huge uptake of Juniors and Colts needs to happen before I feel they can even be competitive. Premier Rugby costs can be f***ing astronomical in terms of medical, running the grounds and just random shit that happens. The thing is Caboolture I reckon could put together a decent regional side with Redcliffe, North Lakes & the Boars, that would be competitive and have money behind it, from the Cab Sports clubs.
Sorry bulldog I know you mean well. I just have strong feelings on the Saints finally getting their chance & embracing the opportunity.
Saints need to really buckle down and show that they can do it, or it will end a failure with Queensland rugby losing a proper working class club, and god knows we need shitloads more of them. We've already lost Springfield this year and I don't want another gone.