NRL expansion: Cairns-PNG bid plan blocked as NRL protects North Queensland Cowboys’ turf

North Queensland have won a key battle in the latest expansion plans, while the Bears now have a clear pathway back to the NRL.

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick and Sport Minister Michael Healy will be joined by Australian Rugby League Commissioner Peter V'landys, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to announce that Magic Round will remain in Brisbane until 2027. Paddington Friday 17th May 2024 Picture David Clark

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has scuppered plans for a possible fifth Queensland NRL team based in Cairns with Pacific branding, insisting Papua New Guinea must have its own fully-fledged franchise.

The Federal Government has tabled a 10-year, $600 million PNG funding package and V’landys made it clear the Cowboys would not be threatened by expansion in their north Queensland heartland.

V’landys’ stance comes after Cowboys hierarchy expressed fears for the future of their club if a PNG team established ties with Cairns.

“No, we won’t be basing any new team in Cairns,” V’landys said.

“The team will definitely be based full-time in Papua New Guinea.

“If you want it to work, you don’t base it in Australia.

“How are the people of PNG going to engage with their team when it’s based in Cairns?

“You have to have the team full-time in PNG and we’re also not going to affect the ecosystem in North Queensland where the Cowboys have been so successful and that’s their heartland.

“The whole purpose of this exercise (expanding the league) is to provide support for the whole of PNG beyond just rugby league, there will be social and educational benefits as well for their country.”

Australian Rugby League Commissioner Peter V'landys. Picture: David Clark

North Sydney, meanwhile, is edging closer to a stunning NRL return with V’landys revealing Perth’s best hope of winning an expansion licence is via a merger with the Bears.

As revealed by this masthead, the NRL is keen to fast-track a 19-team league – potentially as soon as 2028 – after crisis talks on Friday night eased tensions with the Federal Government during Magic Round in Brisbane.

V’landys warned D-Day had arrived for the Papua New Guinea bid, but discussions with Defence Minister Pat Conroy allayed funding concerns, putting the Pacific nation on track for an 18th licence.

And North Sydney could be joining PNG in the big league, with V’landys urging the West Australian government to join forces with the Bears to become the NRL’s 19th franchise.

The Bears, who last appeared in the premiership in 1999, are a foundation club with a 116-year history and while a Perth bid team believes it can stand alone, V’landys says a North Sydney alliance can seal the deal.

There’s a path for the Bears to return to top flight rugby league. Picture: Getty Images

“It (merging with the Bears) is not a condition (of Perth winning an NRL licence) but it will help their bid,” V’landys said.

“If you have the Bears, they have a good supporter base, they have over 200,000 members and have a feeder system.

“It would make sense for Perth to look at that proposal.

“That’s the ideal partnership. There’s no way North Sydney can be a stand-alone team at the moment because there’s too many teams in Sydney as there is.

“But the Perth Bears would be a perfect marriage.

“You could have a couple of games at North Sydney Oval to keep the tradition going and then you can have the other games in Perth.”

The NRL will soon begin negotiations on a new TV rights deal for the 2028-32 cycle and the potential addition of two new teams – PNG and the Perth Bears – could deliver a broadcasting bonanza for the governing body.