NRL to make expansion call Monday 

The wait is almost over for rugby league's expansion hopefuls.Or is it?

The NRL's partnership executive committee will sit down on Monday night to sift through a raft of documents detailing every minute detail of the three prospective 16th franchises - Wellington, Central Coast and Gold Coast.

But a positive decision is far from guaranteed.

The smart money is on the NRL either knocking expansion on the head or delaying the decision for another year.

That would appease most of the current clubs, who claim the game needs to use more of its revenue to ensure their long-term survival.

But it won't make the people behind the Gold Coast, Central Coast and Wellington bids happy.

For the Gold Coast and Central Coast it could signal the end.

The Gold Coast consortium has an agreement in place with the local council for the redevelopment of Carrara Stadium but that could fall by the wayside if they aren't given the green light.

"I would almost go out on a limb and say if it doesn't happen this round it won't happen for the Gold Coast," director Michael Searle said.

"The thing that scares me is I know to get another bid up and running for this area involving the current crop would be almost impossible.

"It would be very difficult to stop the ride that we have rolling along on the Gold Coast now. It would be literally like push-starting a truck to get it going again, because the Gold Coast people would become cynical.

"We have $10 million worth of investors involved too. People like that don't like to stop and start projects."

Central Coast officials have warned they could walk away from the game if they don't get the desired result, although they remained coy on Monday.

"I don't think you can get any smarter on the issue," director Russell Tate said.

"I would pretty much see deferring the decision as no decision."

Wellington is the only bidder to commit to the NRL no matter what decision the partnership arrives at.

The committee - comprising the ARL's Colin Love, John McDonald and Nick Politis and News Ltd's Peter Macourt, Ian Philip and Stephen Loosley - face a testing time in separating the respective bids.

The Central Coast has the financial clout of media magnate John Singleton, the Gold Coast has five investors ready to plough $10 million into the bid and Wellington has a Belgian billionaire at its disposal.

Facility-wise, the Central Coast has a ready-made stadium, Wellington boasts the impressive WestpacTrust Stadium and the Gold Coast has the local council primed to redevelop Carrara Stadium.

In terms of talent, the Central Coast is recognised as a breeding ground for rugby league players.

Mark O'Meley and Matt Orford are testimony to that.

The Gold Coast has an ever-increasing player base and population.

Wellington has 10,000 registered players and a wealth of rugby union talent to tap into.

"I'm pretty confident," Tate said.

"I just hope a decision is made with the future of the game in mind."