NRL expansion: Kate Jones weighs in as angry Titans lobby against 17th team

The call on whether to expand the NRL to a 17th team is weighing heavily on the minds of ARL commissioners.

Suncorp Stadium hosts the launch of the 2021 NRL finals series. Picture: Liam Kidston

ARL Commissioner Kate Jones has backed plans for a second Brisbane team amid pleas from newly-minted finals side the Titans not to have their Gold Coast brand devoured by expansion.

Jones said the call on whether to expand to a 17th team was weighing heavily on the minds of herself and fellow commissioners and the necessity of making the right decision meant it would not be rushed.

She did, however, express a desire to expand if the numbers add up as the commission continues dialogue with bids from the Firehawks, Jets and the Dolphins, now considered the frontrunners.

“The chairman (Peter V’landys) has been very explicit in saying that of course we want to see expansion, but we want to get it right and make sure we don’t cannibalise our existing teams,’’ Jones said.

“We don’t want to see AFL continue to have a strong foothold into the areas we consider rugby league heartland. We will continue to ensure that the decisions we make support rugby league into the long term.

“I love rugby league, I want to see it grow. We need to provide opportunities for more of our young talent to get through that pipeline of growth from local club footy up to an NRL team. It makes a lot of sense, but we need to get the timing right.

“I would love to see another team but it has to be in the right location with the right people.’’

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ARL Commissioner Kate Jones has backed plans for a second Brisbane team.

Making their first finals appearance in five years on Saturday against the Roosters, the Titans were rescued from potential closure by owners Darryl Kelly and Rebecca Frizelle just three years ago and feel an extra team in the region could sentence them to further financial peril.

“The Titans have made their pleas to the Commission, both individually to me and us as a board,’’ Jones said.

“We are listening to that. We will continue to work with the Titans. Given the long road we have been on, it’s important we continue to support them with their growth, but what was so exciting about yesterday was the potential of the Titans (who beat the Warriors 44-0).

“They put on spectacular football and we want to see them continue to thrive on the Gold Coast.

“They are not going to lie there in the foetal position if expansion goes ahead.

“They would lift to the challenge if that is the pathway the NRL has to take. What we want to see is strong teams right across SEQ.

“Now the Titans have made the finals we are seeing the icing on the cake for what has been a long process over a few years for not only investing in their players but also their leadership positions at the club and their culture.’’

Titans players celebrate after clinching a spot in the NRL finals. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Jones said while the Gold Coast’s fears were front of mind there were other factors to consider in the expansion debate.

“It’s also important to recognise that there has been significant growth right across southeast Queensland, right up to the Sunshine Coast and down to the Tweed border with new suburbs being created over the last decade. We will continue to see that population growth grow across Queensland in the next 10 years.’’

Titans owner Kelly first spoke to NRL commission boss Peter V’landys early last year about his fears that expansion would cannibalise the club.

V’landys responded by telling News Corp: “There’s no way we’re going to do anything that will hurt the Gold Coast.’’

ACE UP QLD’S SLEEVE AS SUNCORP STADIUM EYES GF GLORY

By Peter Badel

ARL Commissioner Kate Jones says a final decision on the NRL grand final is imminent as Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans backed plans for a historic decider at Suncorp Stadium.

As revealed by News Corp, Suncorp Stadium is on the verge of clinching their first NRL grand final and Jones declared that scenario a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for Queensland rugby league fans.

It is understood ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys will finalise talks with the Queensland and NSW governments in the lead-up to the NRL’s opening finals game between Manly and Melbourne on Friday night.

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The NSW government holds the NRL grand final rights for the next 25 years, but southern political heavy-hitters are resigned to a one-off transfer to Suncorp Stadium given the Covid crisis that has sent their state into full lockdown.

Suncorp could be formally unveiled as the winning venue as early as Wednesday with Jones relishing the prospect of an NRL grand final at the home of Queensland rugby league.

Suncorp Stadium hosts the launch of the 2021 NRL finals series. Picture: Liam Kidston

“At this stage, we are working closely with our partners and we should have an announcement on the grand final by the end of the week,” Jones said.

“We are continuing to work with the NSW government and Queensland government.

“I have been on record for a long time, since we opened Suncorp Stadium, saying this is the best rugby league stadium in the country.

“We have to acknowledge the NSW government legitimately has rights to the grand final so we are working with both the NSW and Queensland governments.

“But can I say this, both governments are very much committed to ensuring we get a good outcome for footy fans across the country.”

NRL commissioner Kate Jones. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty

Queenslanders have not witnessed a grand final on Brisbane soil since the Super League decider between the Broncos and Cronulla at ANZ Stadium in 1997.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a grand final here in Queensland at Suncorp Stadium,” Jones said.

“I have been watching footy all my life and to have a grand final here in our own background is something I think all Queenslanders will really embrace.

“This is something we have been asking for as footy fans in the Sunshine State for years and it would be amazing to see it come to fruition.”

Maroons skipper Cherry-Evans has enjoyed some magical moments at Suncorp Stadium, including last year’s Origin series triumph, and he hopes to lead Manly into this year’s grand final on Queensland soil.

“If the grand final is at Suncorp, it would be outstanding,” he said.

“I was born and raised in Queensland and nothing beats a full house at Suncorp. Queensland people love their footy and 50,000 fans at Suncorp would be an unforgettable experience.

“To run out onto Suncorp as a Queensland kid, it’s the stadium you dream of playing at.

“If we can get the grand final here and take advantage of that, it would be really special.

“There is a lot more motivation for me to be potentially playing a grand final at Suncorp.”

Originally published as NRL expansion: Kate Jones weighs in as angry Titans lobby against 17th team