Nasheed here,
I would say the game will be cleansed.
The following clubs will survive easily;
Souths
Broncos
Eels
Newcastle
St G Illawarra
Canberra
Nth Qld
The following may survive as is, or be relocated or revamped/rebadged:
Bulldogs
Wests Tigers
Storm
Roosters
Penrith
the following will be relinquished:
Warriors
Gold Coast
Manly
Cronulla
There will likely be a new entity or two emerge in a new market. Brisbane 2, Hills District, Central Coast etc
Firstly,
The NRL has been battling a major talent crisis for a while now.
This is why there's been no expansion.
16 teams limits talent damage control and is a fine balance not to upset traditional supporters and broadcasters.
But the fact if the matter, the talent pool is ranged to be optimal between 10 and 12 teams by all expert estimates.
Now factor in, there is likely to be some casualties through the pandemic. Not many, but it's naive that we will keep them all. Some will have lung damage too. So this is further compounded.
The NRL in its new entity will look at geographically strategic locations, whilst trying to pay a semblance of homage to existing geographically important locations.
We will likely get a reformed 12 team comp that looks similar to this.
Northern NSW (Knights)
Central NSW (Central Coast)
Southern NSW (Canberra)
Sydney
1.Western suburbs team (Penrith/Western Panthers)
2. Southern Suburbs Team (St George Illawarra)
3. Central Suburban team (Dogs or Eels)
4. Northern suburbs entity (Eels or dogs/new team)
5. Eastern Suburbs identity (Roosters)
6. MacArthur/SW suburbs region (Rabbitohs)
Sth Qld team 1. Broncos
Sth Qld team 2. New entity
Nth Qld. Cowboys
Perth. Wests Tigers
Maybe/likely Victorian Team (Storm)
We will emerge in a strategically placed 14 team competition.
the survivors from these times will understand and after a few years the game should grow to the same level as now, and a few more years will grow further with the new markets.
In about ten years, we will see a Kiwi team return, followed by another Kiwi team or Hills District.