NRL expansion latest: Peter V’landys reveals fifth Queensland team a possibility amid Perth speculation
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has revealed another Queensland team is a genuine option if expansion talks with the West Australian government collapse.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says Queensland is a genuine option to win a fifth NRL licence if expansion talks with the West Australian government collapse.
V’landys’ revelation came as outgoing Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher called for the NRL to hand the code’s 18th licence to Brisbane’s western corridor to stave off an AFL invasion.
The NRL’s masterplan for a 20-team league by the 2032 Brisbane Olympics suffered a blow after the WA government baulked at a $120 million funding request to launch the Perth Bears in 2027.
V’landys insists the Perth Bears proposal is not dead and will continue negotiations with WA powerbrokers, including premier Roger Cook, with a view to formalising a deal within two to four weeks.
V’landys remains confident the WA government will come to the party, but says there is a possibility a Perth bid could fall over – opening the door for another Queensland expansion bid.
The Redcliffe-based Dolphins entered the league in 2023 and the NRL has received three fresh northern bids from the Ipswich Jets, the Brisbane Tigers and Central Queensland Capras.
The NRL is keen to expand to new markets in Western Australia, Papua New Guinea and the south island of New Zealand, but V’landys believes Queensland can sustain a fifth franchise.
“Another Queensland team is something we have never ruled out so, yes, that’s still a possibility,” V’landys said.
“I’m still confident the Perth Bears will go ahead but if not, all options are on the table and that includes a Queensland team.
“One of the reasons the Dolphins were admitted to the NRL in the last (expansion) process was because they were able to demonstrate how they would bring a new fan base to rugby league and they have done that.”
“Of course, we want those (Queensland) consortiums to show us where a new fan base is and that they won’t be stealing fans from the Broncos, Titans or Dolphins.”
Hatcher urged the NRL to hand the next licence to Brisbane’s western corridor, saying the Ipswich and Toowoomba regions – regarded as rugby league heartland – are under attack from the AFL.
The departing QRL chairman believes Brisbane’s western corridor has a ready-made player talent pool that can’t be matched by Perth and PNG.
“It’s a no-brainer to have the next team in Queensland,” Hatcher said.
“I’m still worried our pathways in other regions aren’t where they should be, but Brisbane’s western corridor has an existing catchment for an NRL team.
“It’s one of the fastest growing areas in the country and it’s the reason why the AFL has identified Brisbane’s western corridor and set up base there.
“The Brisbane Tigers are financially well-heeled and their licence can cover that western corridor.”
V’landys, meanwhile, scoffed at suggestions the ARL Commission has turned its back on the prospect of a second team in New Zealand.
The ARLC chair also made it clear the NRL has no interest in owning a Perth or Christchurch franchise, with both prospective operations to have membership backing.
“We don’t plan to own any new franchise,” he said.
“Any new organisation will be a club governed by members and in the first couple of years, we (the ARLC) will appoint the board, not the members.
“Once the club is established, the members will appoint the board, so a Perth club will always be owned by the members.
“With the AFL, they will run the Tasmanian team … the NRL will not be owning any licence.”
V’LANDYS SLAMS SPECULATION OVER PERTH EXPANSION BID
V’landys insists the Perth Bears are not dead amid fears the NRL’s expansion plans could sensationally collapse over a $120 million funding dispute with the West Australian government.
The ARLC’s expansion masterplan was rocked by a report which alleged the WA government had rejected an NRL request to provide $12m in annual funding for the next decade to support an 18th team.
The demise of a West Australian bid would represent a disaster for the North Sydney Bears, whose hopes of a triumphant return to the big league in 2027 hinge on a successful alliance with Perth.
Speculation of negotiating ructions involving the WA government come on the back of the NRL rejecting eight bid proposals, including a Perth-based consortium led by Cash Converters tycoon Peter Cumins.
That has triggered concerns the NRL’s strategic plan for a 20-team league by 2030 is in tatters at a time when the ARLC has also rebuffed three proposals from New Zealand consortia in Christchurch.
V’landys concedes there is a possibility talks with the WA government could fail, but he remains confident the Perth Bears will be unveiled as the NRL’s 18th team within two to four weeks.
“I am absolutely confident that we will have 20 teams,” V’landys said.
“Don’t write off Perth and say they are gone — the media speculation about that is not correct.
“We are in deep discussions with the WA government right now so how people can suggest things have been rejected is beyond me.
“I believe it (the birth of the Perth Bears as the 18th team) will happen, but there’s always a possibility that the Perth team won’t happen.
“We have to be realistic.
“The negotiations with the WA government are continuing. Nothing has been concluded or rejected.
“We are still in talks and they will continue for the next few weeks.
“We will see what eventuates with those discussions and they will conclude either with a (Perth) team or without a team.”
V’landys stressed the importance of the Bears brand and vowed to find contingency options for North Sydney bosses if the Perth franchise failed to reach first base.
“If the Perth bid goes ahead, the Bears are front and centre of it,” he said.
“If it doesn’t work with Perth, we would look at other options for them.
“The Bears brand has great history and a huge supporter base and we want them involved with expansion, absolutely.
“I would love to see the Bears back in the NRL.”
It is understood the NRL is considering emulating the expansion model deployed by the AFL, whose 19th team in Tasmania will receive $144m in funding — $12m for a 12-year period.
The WA government is said to be baulking at an outlay in excess of $100m, but V’landys stressed talks can be salvaged, insisting the admission of a Perth franchise would be an economic bonanza.
“What has to be remembered is the economic benefit to Perth because an NRL team there will bring enormous investment into the state,” he said.
“This is not a handout from the WA government, it’s an investment from them because an NRL will bring substantial value to Perth.
“If they invest in grassroots, they will have thousands of kids playing sport and that’s important from a welfare perspective, having Western Australian kids out there playing sport.
“I’m still confident there will be a resolution with the (WA) government but these negotiations have to happen and until they are finalised, we have to consider all outcomes.”
V’landys confirmed the ARLC has struck a $600 million deal with the Federal government for Papua New Guinea to enter the competition, most likely in 2028, pending the final imprimatur from an NRL-club committee.
“We still have to go to the clubs about PNG,” he said.
“Our negotiations with them (Federal government and PNG chiefs) have concluded.
“We are happy with the deal … all we have to do now is go to the clubs, show them the business case stacks up and then the licence will be issued in consultation with three NRL chairmen.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL expansion latest: Peter V’landys reveals fifth Queensland team a possibility amid Perth speculation
‘Unforgettable’: Tonga claim stunning upset
Tonga have produced an epic boilover, surviving a dramatic clash with New Zealand to reach the tournament final against Australia.
Red Tsunami: High drama as Tonga survive scare to stun Kiwis
Tonga stunned the Kiwis early, before surviving a New Zealand comeback, and some late drama, to secure a historic win and set up a Pacific Championship final against Australia.