Redcliffe would be ‘disaster’ for NRL, say Brisbane Bombers

As debate continues over whether Brisbane can handle a second NRL team, Brisbane Bombers major shareholder Craig Davison has warned that granting Redcliffe a licence would send the game backwards.

Brisbane Bombers say Redcliffe are the wrong choice for expansion.

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Brisbane Bombers major shareholder Craig Davison says the NRL is headed for a major “disaster” if they grant Redcliffe a licence to become Queensland’s fourth NRL team.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail, a consortium of five multi-millionaires have begun due diligence into bidding for an NRL licence following revelations Channel 9 wants a second team in Brisbane in 2023.

Redcliffe has been touted as the preferred expansionary target zone in the eyes of the ARL Commission, but Davison warned launching another NRL team on the Peninsula would be a strategic blunder.

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Redcliffe have potential — and drawbacks. Photo: Chris Higgins

While Redcliffe boasts a powerful leagues club, the Dolphins are 40km north of Suncorp Stadium and miles away from the corporate top end of town in Brisbane’s CBD.

“The NRL would be going backwards if they chose Redcliffe,” Davison said.

“Commercially, there has to be another team in the Brisbane metropolitan market.

“I’m not saying it has to be the Brisbane Bombers, it might be one of the other bid teams, but it simply can’t be Redcliffe if the NRL is looking to garnering support on a board-spectrum level.

“Redcliffe is almost 50km from the CBD. It’s like putting a team in the Blue Mountains (of NSW) and expecting people in the eastern suburbs of Sydney to support them.

“Redcliffe have a wonderful brand but they have their rusted-on local supporters.

“People from central Queensland, north Queensland and metropolitan Brisbane will not support a team on the Peninsula.

“I would implore the NRL to stop even thinking about Redcliffe.”

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Davison argued anybody who was pushing for a relocated Sydney team to become Brisbane’s rival to the Broncos did not understand the parochialism of the Queensland public.

“I don’t believe we should relocate any teams,” he said.

“Sydney is the heart of rugby league like Melbourne is the heart of the AFL.

“If a Sydney team falls over financially, that’s fine, they go down of their own accord if they can’t manage their own finances.

Bombers BC221378 Bid director, Craig Davison for the proposed second Brisbane NRL team, the Brisbane Bombers. Albion Park Raceway, Albion

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“I tend to agree that 16 teams in the NRL is good at the moment, 18 would be too many, but 17 is fine.

“We’re talking about a $2 billion TV rights deal and the NRL is quibbling about spending $13 million extra on another team.

“Surely the NRL can afford to cut their costs to fund another team?

“Whoever wins the Brisbane licence in the future I wish them all the best, but it shouldn’t be Redcliffe.”