Parker: Is there enough players to support the NRL's rapid expansion?

Corey Parker has raised concerns surrounding player quality in the NRL as the competition is in the midst of adding another expansion side before the turn of the decade.

Since becoming ARLC Chairman in 2019, the league has quickly expanded under the tenure of Peter V’Landys.

With the Dolphins' entry in 2023 as the 17th side, the NRL has continued to hand out licenses, with the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs set to enter over the next two years.    

With 19 teams by 2028, there has been plenty of discussion surrounding when the 20th team comes in, which will provide a 10th game in the round to sell to broadcasters.

Initially, the NRL had planned to bring that side in after 2032. But in an interview with News Corp on Thursday, V’Landys revealed there had been an appetite from one broadcaster during their TV rights discussion to introduce that side by 2029.

With the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs joining in 2027 and 2028, alongside the proposed 20th side in 2029, this would rapidly increase the NRL player pool to roughly 600 players.

But with this increase, Parker expressed concerns as to whether the competition could support that many players being added in a short time, as seen with the Bears’ recruitment struggles.

“I don't think we've got enough people,” he explained on SENQ Breakfast.

“I don't think we've got enough talent to have a 20th team. I've said it before.

“Perth at the moment, and I say this with all due respect, they've got a reserve grade side happening there at the minute.

“In terms of starters, they have, I counted yesterday, three people that are starting at other clubs.

“It was (Scott) Sorenson off memory, (Toby) Sexton who's playing overseas, and Nick Meaney.

“They're the three starters that come to mind. The rest of them are not starters at other clubs.

“So, you throw in another team. Where are you pulling these players from?”