tˈuː θˈaʊzənd tˈuː sˈɔː ðɪ ˌɪntɹədˈʌkʃən ʌvðə mˈɛlbɚn ˈaɪs, ðə nˈuːkæsəl nˈɔːɹθstɑːɹz ænd ðə wˈɛst sˈɪdni ˈaɪs dˈɑːɡz, ɪŋkɹˈiːsɪŋ ðə nˈʌmbɚɹ ʌv tˈiːmz ɪnðə lˈiːɡ tə sˈɪks.
2002 saw the introduction of the Melbourne Ice, the Newcastle Northstars and the West Sydney Ice Dogs, increasing the number of teams in the league to 6.