NRL expansion: Which Brisbane team will win over V’landys?

A second Brisbane team is coming to the NRL, this is how the candidates line up and the drawcard that could see them come up trumps.

ARL Commission boss Peter V'landys is keen to expand the NRL, with the Brisbane Bombers, Redcliffe Dolphins and the Western Corridor ready to submit their bids to join the national competition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced some Brisbane NRL expansion bids to edit their proposals but the four main contenders claim they are ready for takeoff when given the green light.

Talks of a second Brisbane NRL team has re-emerged this week after ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys on Monday said it was “very realistic” to happen in time for the 2023 season.

The league’s governing body is seriously considering the expansion idea – with a decision slated to be made by June this year.

Brisbane Bombers NRL team bid director Nick Livermore at Suncorp Stadium. Photo: Darren England/ AAP Imaging

If given the tick of approval, the ARL Commission will have to decide between four main contenders to be the NRL’s newest team – the Brisbane Bombers, the Brisbane Firehawks, the Redcliffe Dolphins and a team in the western corridor.

Each bid has already developed comprehensive business proposals as well as other changes such as stadium revamps and name modifications.

Bombers bid director Nick Livermore said the COVID-19 pandemic had also forced them to change part of their business model but were still prepared to launch a new NRL club.

“In short, yes COVID has adjusted the way we’ve looked at the commerciality of the business,” Livermore said.

“We’ve changed around the structure.

“At the same time, we’re talking about bringing in a new rugby league team so it can’t be a five or 10-year plan.

“I’m looking at what a new Brisbane team will look like in 2050 and beyond and how do we grow the game for this entire region.”

Meanwhile, Redcliffe powerbrokers have invited V’landys to tour their facilities at Dolphin Stadium and were waiting for COVID restrictions to ease.

Dolphins CEO Tony Murphy in front of the new Northern stand being constructed in 2020 at Dolphin Stadium. Picture: Renae Droop

Livermore said a second Brisbane team made sense to compete in a changing sporting landscape.

“We’re very passionate about this idea and I can’t see why they wouldn’t put a new team in,” he said.

“We’re in a market where the Lions are on the way up and the Broncos, like any team, are down so you need someone to carry the flag.

“As long as it grows the game and isn’t a burden on the existing teams, it should be done.”

HOW THE EXPANSION CONTENDERS LINE UP

The Brisbane Bombers have plenty of money – and the draw of Suncorp – backing their bid. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

Team name: Brisbane Bombers
Based: Suncorp Stadium
Drawcard: Has the backing of a cashed-up consortium of five Queensland business tycoons, such as Craig Davison and Bill Rae. Melbourne Storm SuperCoach Craig Bellamy is also being targeted for a coaching director role at the club. If the Bombers are successful, it will see an NRL game played out of Suncorp Stadium almost every weekend throughout the season.

Redcliffe Dolphins have a long history of success.

Team name: Redcliffe Dolphins
Based: Dolphin Stadium
Drawcard: The Redcliffe peninsula has a huge rugby league supporter base and the breeding ground for NRL legends such as Arthur Beetson and Petero Civoniceva. The Dolphins are already an established brand with a long history of success.

The Brisbane Firehawks are linked to the Easts Tigers. Pictures: Supplied

Team name: Brisbane Firehawks
Home base: Easts Leagues Club, Carina
Drawcard: Provides an enthralling “north v south” rivalry in the River City when they play the Broncos. The Firehawks are linked with the Easts Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup and underwent a rebranding last season. The Tigers are also the feeder club with powerhouse Melbourne Storm.

The ‘Western Corridor’ NRL bid team have some high profile backers.

Team name: Western Corridor
Home base: Ipswich
Drawcard: It’s the NRL nursery for stars such as the Walters brothers and Alfie Langer and has also been publicly backed by the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Sam Thaiday. Plans to join the NRL have also been going on since 2010 – one of the longest of any of the bids.

DEADLINE SET FOR NRL’S BRISBANE EXPANSION

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys wants a second Brisbane team in the NRL. And what Peter V’landys wants, Peter V’landys gets.

An announcement will be made mid-year for a 2023 launch, putting prospective franchises on full alert as the NRL looks to deliver another team to the Brisbane market.

It will be one of the 20 biggest storylines to dominate the NRL in 2021.

Although a 17th team won’t generate a ninth game for each regular-season round, free-to-air TV networks in upcoming negotiations need to know there will be four teams north of the border.

The Courier Mail first revealed back on February 16, 2020, that the NRL would be a 17-team competition for the 2023 season, when the current broadcast deal expires.

While careful not to negatively impact Brisbane and the Gold Coast, V’landys is keen for the Broncos and a second Brisbane team to take a stranglehold over rival codes the AFL, rugby and football’s A-League in the Sunshine State.

A number of southeast Queensland franchises remain hopeful of securing an NRL licence.

Among them are the Brisbane Bombers, Brisbane Firehawks (Easts Tigers), Western Corridor (Ipswich) and Redcliffe Dolphins.

A June announcement would give the winning bid 18 months to get an NRL franchise up and running. The NRL’s youngest club, the Gold Coast Titans, were awarded the game’s 16th licence in May 2005, which gave them a similar time frame to prepare for their first season in 2007.

Peter V'landys wants a 17th team for 2023. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Courier Mail revealed the Dolphins had ramped up their plans in recent months, claiming they were “ready to go” and we’re launching a campaign for the public to be involved in the naming of the club.

The club will retain the Dolphins moniker but remove the Redcliffe name if successful to appeal to a wider section of fans.

Dolphins bid chief Terry Reader said the franchise was ready to tender for a licence if the NRL decides to pursue expansion.

“We are in a very good position,” he said.

The Redcliffe Dolphins are already firmly entrenched in rugby league in Brisbane. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Walker

“We have launched a website – Dolphins NRL – to cover everything about us and frequently asked questions.

“We have put out everything about how we will be set up, how it will work, where we will play. We have launched our own membership and merchandise range for the bid.

“We’re meeting with the Brisbane and Sunshine Coast mayors in the coming months to talk about our plans as well as the Queensland Rugby League.

“We’re making sure we’re putting things in place and doing the things we need to so we’re set to go when the time comes.”