Eight clubs joined Super League and ten remained with the ARL. Similar inflationary threats exist now with Papua New Guinea and possibly a Perth team set to join the NRL by 2027, with expansion to 20 clubs mooted. But back in 1995, half the ARL clubs were broke, making them vulnerable targets for News Limited largesse. By contrast, all 17 of today’s clubs have their salary caps funded by the NRL, as well as receiving a $5m administration grants. However, the new Port Moresby team has been offered generous tax concessions to attract players and Perth is yet to find a backer to fund about $30m a year in operational expenses. It is also unlikely viewership in PNG and Perth will add significantly to a new TV rights contract, meaning RL Central may be forced to reduce grants to its existing clubs if it is to continue funding the operations of the new clubs. Still, ARLC boss Peter V’Landys is very bullish about delivering rugby league’s richest broadcasting contract and satisfy 20 clubs. He has also made a Perth bid conditional on joining with the North Sydney Bears, a foundation 1908 club forced out of the NRL in the aftermath of the Super League war when its shotgun marriage to Manly as the Northern Eagles dissolved. Another joint venture, Wests Tigers, survives but divisions persist, even after thirty years.