NRL expansion fight: Titans tell Peter V’landys, Andrew Abdo to produce facts

Crisis talks between the NRL and the Titans are underway after Gold Coast bosses accused the league of ignoring findings that said expansion was not yet viable.

Peter V'landys and Andrew Abdo will meet with the Titans on Wednesday. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

The expansion war has exploded after the Gold Coast Titans accused the NRL of forging ahead with a new Brisbane team without providing proof it is the right move for the game.

Commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL chief Andrew Abdo will meet with Titans figures on the Gold Coast on Wednesday in what promises to be a testy showdown.

The NRL is set to call for expressions of interest from the three Queensland bid teams - the Jets, Firehawks and Dolphins - fighting to become the competition’s 17th club from 2023 and wants to make a decision in July.

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V’landys and Abdo have consistently said the NRL will not pursue expansion if the business case did not stack up.

That means the introduction of a fourth club in Queensland would have to be financially viable across the game, boost grassroots participation and not negatively impact the Broncos, Cowboys and Titans.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and commission chairman Peter V'landys will meet the Gold Coast Titans on Wednesday. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

Twelve of the NRL’s current 16 clubs - led by the Titans - have commissioned an independent report into the impact of expansion and are awaiting its findings.

The NRL is also understood to be in possession of a 2019 report by strategy chief Lachlan Smith which discovered considerations to be assessed around expansion. Smith is also leading the current probe into expansion.

Gold Coast co-owner Darryl Kelly has pledged $35 million to ensure the future of the Titans and called on the NRL to release the findings of the 2019 report and prove expansion was the right decision.

“We want to see some facts,” Kelly said.

“We won’t have a firm position until we know the facts. That’s basically it.

“Why aren’t they releasing the 2019 report? Does it not tell the story they want told?

“It’s not a good look. It looks like the decision has been made before all the facts are in. That’s certainly the way it looks.

“There has been no consideration given to compiling a comprehensive report which clearly states it’s the way forward.

“I’m disappointed for (the bid teams) because I know how much work goes into doing it properly. If they don’t go ahead with expansion, a lot of people have put a lot of time and money into something that’s been wasted.

“It seems they (NRL) have got a timetable and that’s the determinant.”

Gold Coast Titans co-owner Darryl Kelly wants expansion answers from the NRL. Picture Glenn Hampson

V’landys and Abdo are in Queensland ahead of this weekend’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium and are continuing to meet with all of the NRL’s clubs, with expansion one of many topics on the agenda.

V’landys said the Titans should give the NRL an opportunity to outline their plans before campaigning against expansion.

“It’s not fair at all what he is saying,” V’landys said.

“I haven’t even spoken to Darryl Kelly yet, you would think they would hear us out before they want to criticise us but that’s his prerogative.

“I’ve always said the numbers have to stack up for us to consider adding another team in Queensland.

“We will not have the Titans, Cowboys and Broncos cannibalised, I’ve made that very clear.”

Peter V'landys. Picture: Jonathan Ng

V’landys also told The Australian that the club’s understanding of the report was ‘completely inaccurate’.

The Titans are the NRL’s youngest club, having joined the competition in 2007, and have endured some near-death experiences.

The club essentially folded in 2015 and was taken over by the NRL before being bought by the Frizelle-Kelly consortium in late 2017.

The Titans have only recently got back on their feet financially and have multiple concerns around the impact of a new NRL club in south east Queensland.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said the Titans were at risk and needed support.

“I have previously done my own studies of the impact of expansion on the Gold Coast,” Hatcher said.

“I’m not ruling out expansion by any means, but I have a particular view that the Titans need support and they need a better hold on the Gold Coast region than they currently have because historically it’s been difficult for rugby league to succeed in that area.

“I really admire the current investors Darryl Kelly and Rebecca Frizelle for putting their money where their mouth is and giving it a great shot.”

The Titans came under new owners in 2017. Picture Glenn Hampson

Kelly said the NRL had to prove finances would not be a problem in the post-COVID economic climate.

“We want to see the evidence that there will be enough money,” he said.

“Has anyone asked the question of where the extra dollars are coming in to support a new club? There is the $13 million (yearly club) grant and then the extra costs to run the competition.

“Kate Jones (commissioner) is doing a piece on participation and that should be part of the consideration. What’s the cost to the women’s game and participation and grassroots?

“Let’s have some facts put on the table so we can understand where we’re going.”