The National Rugby League's chief executive Dave Smith is bullish about the coming league year, saying at last night's launch in Sydney the game has enjoyed the strongest lead-in to a season in recent memory.
The NRL's year has started with the stunning success of the inaugural Auckland Nines earlier this month and the announcement of a profit of almost $50 million for the 2013 financial year, and the chief executive is trumpeting the best season yet in 2014.
600 fans from all 16 clubs were invited to last night's launch, where the NRL revealed plans to double club memberships to 400,000 by 2017, and grow average crowds to 20,000 over the same period.
The NRL season starts on March 6 when defending premiers the Roosters play their arch-rivals South Sydney.
