St George Illawarra enforcer Josh Kerr has expressed his concerns over talks of an NRL expansion, saying he would rather see more support for the game's next generation.
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The Sydney Morning Herald revealed on Tuesday night that the NRL were looking into a proposal to split the competition into two conferences, comprising Sydney and non-Sydney based sides, while two new teams would be introduced in Brisbane and New Zealand.
While happy to see rugby league growing, Kerr is concerned that the NRL's proposal has been rushed.
"I've seen little bits and pieces of it, but you know what, in the future it sounds like a good idea. We want to build rugby league and get more people involved," the Dragons second rower said.
"But I've been listening to Gus Gould a lot and what he talks about with the development of players. A lot of people are saying there's not enough talent to go around to make a team, but Gus is completely right. You've got to bring back that under-20s competition and reserve grade sides."
A Redcliffe junior, Kerr found his pathway to the NRL through the Melbourne Storm's under-20s side. He joined St George Illawarra in 2016 and has become a regular starter for the side.
"I remember as a kid seeing the Melbourne Storm under-20s and I wanted to be in that. That was obviously a really good pathway into the NRL. It develops players and makes you professional as a young person, so I think we need to bring that back," the 25-year-old said.
"I'm obviously not a businessman, so I don't understand the reasoning as to why they got rid of it, but I'll only assume it's a money thing. We need to develop players a lot more, instead of just buying from other clubs. It's obviously going to take a bit longer and more money, but in the future you're going to gain a lot more from it."
Kerr's hometown of Redcliffe has been thrown up as a potential host for Brisbane's new NRL side. If given the green light, the Red V forward hopes expectations on the side wouldn't be too high.
"They live and breathe rugby league up there, so there probably is enough talent," Kerr said. "But coming into the comp, I don't know if they will be a top-four side immediately. But having it up there, and with development programs in place, for the future it's the right choice. But people want results now, which is disappointing."
Meanwhile, a new era has begun for the Dragons, after Matthew Head was unveiled as the Red V's NRLW head coach on Wednesday.
The former Dragons half will look to lead the club's women to glory in 2021 after taking over the reins from Daniel Lacey, who parted ways with the club earlier this month.
Head, who played more than 60 NRL games during two stints with St George Illawarra, has accumulated plenty of coaching experience since hanging up the boots in 2009.
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Highlights include leading Balmain to the 2013 SG Ball premiership and claiming the 2019 minor premiership with the Dragons NSW Cup team.
The 38-year-old also coached the NSW State of Origin team in 2014 and 2015, presenting incumbent Dragons captain Kezie Apps with her maiden Blues jersey.
He is currently head coach of the inaugural Dragons Academy program. Head had a taste of women's premiership action last year as an assistant to Lacey.