The Wooden Spooners Staff Writers have accessed a top secret document that reveals the 18th NRL side.
And the winner is:
The Las Vegas Gamblers.
In the 250-page document, Peter V’landys says the trade off for the NRL’s junket next year was to give Las Vegas the 18th spot in the NRL from 2025.
“America is THE sporting market, so – if the NRL is serious about sticking up aerial ping pong and Rugby Yawnion – we need to expand there. Forget New Zealand, forget Perth, forget Adelaide! America is the only logical choice,” wrote V’landlys. He then wrote “Suck it Gillion!” over and over in pen in the margins of the page.
V’landys continued to map out logistical issues, like travel.
“The Gamblers will play four weeks at Allegiant Stadium and then four weeks in Australia. We’re going to accommodate them so they play all their away games in blocks: a month in Queensland, a month in NSW/ACT, and maybe games in Melbourne and New Zealand.”
The Gamblers – who will adopt the Las Vegas Raiders’ black and silver colours – will play practice games against Brisbane, South Sydney, the Sydney Roosters, and Manly Warringah when they arrive in March 2024.
He also explained the team name: “It’s pure coincidence that ‘Gamblers’ is associated with punting. To me it means a team that throws caution to the wind, plays with bravery, and will back their natural skills to win games.”
V’landys will announce the Gamblers officially on the eve of the 2023 NRL Finals, and will then pull out all stops to make them an immediate force.
“I’ll give them one season to get adjusted, but then I expect them to be regular finalists from 2026, and they should be premiers by 2030. The Gamblers will have first pick of any off-contract players from 2024. I want them to build a strong squad immediately. I’ll even throw in my own money if needed.”
V’landys also reached an agreement with Fox Sports in America, who will broadcast all Gamblers games live. To accommodate Australian audiences, Gamblers home games will be at night, meaning a mid-morning timeslot in the Australian eastern states.
