Queensland’s shock call to ‘relocate’ Sydney NRL club to Brisbane attracts anger

Queensland calls it a “strategic alliance” rather than “relocation”, but there’s no mistaking it involves moving an established Sydney NRL club north and it hasn’t gone down well.

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Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher has infuriated Cronulla after doubling down on his call for the Sharks to be a potential NRL club that could be relocated to Brisbane instead of establishing a brand new franchise in 2023.

Sharks chief executive Dino Mezzatesta labelled it “disgusting” to pin the target on his club that has now surpassed Parramatta with the second most juniors behind only Penrith, although he did concede the idea had merit because “there is probably one too many Sydney clubs”.

The long-time Maroons boss was adamant “I am not trying to be controversial”.

But Hatcher used this year’s State of Origin debacle to again highlight why the depth of playing talent is not ready to support 17 teams at this point.

This comes as the Australian Rugby League Commissioners were on Monday forced to abandon formal presentations by the three expansion bid groups — the Firehawks, Jets and Dolphins — due to the developing Covid situation.

Hatcher preferred to use the phrase “strategic alliance” rather than “relocation” when quizzed on his thoughts.

But there was certainly no mistaking exactly what he was suggesting — moving an established Sydney club north of the border to play out of Suncorp Stadium.

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QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher thinks Cronulla should be relocated to Brisbane. Picture: QRL/Jorja Brinums

While it’s not the first time he’s argued against expansion (the Sharks pointed out he did the same thing last September), Hatcher had some fresh ammunition in the wake of Sunday night’s Origin shame that secured NSW’s third series victory in four years.

Queensland has been absolutely lapped in the first two games to the tune of 76-6.

Not that the lopsided scoreboard has surprised too many fans given a complete difference in the class and experience of the teams, with the Maroons recent era of dominance now feeling like a distant memory.

Hatcher said while he was preparing to read the 197-odd page GEMBA report that looked into the viability of NRL expansion, he was pretty sure what the next step needed to be.

“To me, how can we (Queensland) be competitive?” he questioned.

“In our halcyon days we had 10-odd players from the Broncos to pick in the Origin side.

“We have one this year (Xavier Coates).

“You don’t have to look too far to see that we have to address issues.”

But Hatcher is also adamant it is a must to have a game played at Suncorp every week, which is what the TV networks also want.

He is also concerned an extra NRL club would potentially come at the expense of future grassroots funding, further stunting player development.

“I will tell you precisely what I think should happen,” Hatcher said.

“I would take a Sydney club and do a strategic alliance with one of those three bidders.

“I would relocate the side up here and at the end of three years I would assess the financial viability of how that has worked, and if it doesn’t work I would allow the Sydney based club to go back to its roots if it really wanted to do that.

“But I think straddling two markets is absolutely vital.

“Most vital is that we have an NRL quality game in Brisbane every weekend.”

The QRL chairman says the Sharks should be relocated to Brisbane. Picture: NRL Imagery

He said he was not against expansion but now was not the right time.

“I think we need to use the three years with projects like we have (the QRL) to develop more talent,” Hatcher continued.

“I think our sub elite competition (the Intrust Super Cup), we have to identify more players out of there that we can get to the NRL level quicker.”

Hatcher was reluctant to name which club he believed would be best suited for the move but when pushed on it, he laughed: “Do you want me to get my head lopped off further?

“I think I will bring Cronulla up here.

“Look, honestly, it is none of my business (which team is relocated).

“I am just saying it is a business model that will work and they straddle two markets and they get to play games in Sydney and they play games up here.

“You have got to have a game at Suncorp every weekend.

“I just think it is the interim step that needs to be considered.”

But to suggest the Sharks were not impressed is a massive understatement.

“This is the second time this guy has done this and the first time I wrote to him in absolute disgust and he rang me and apologised,” Mezzatesta said.

The controversial suggestion will infuriate Sharks fans.

“It is absolutely disgusting. Seriously, what is wrong with this bloke?”

Although he did concede having nine Sydney teams was an issue.

“He has got a good point, there is probably one too many Sydney clubs, or maybe two too many Sydney clubs,” Mezzatesta added.

“He has got a great point.

“But what gives him the right to select which club it should be?

“Has he got information we don’t know about?

“We are one of the strongest clubs financially at the moment going around.

“Not only that, everyone keeps thinking Cronulla is this little shire town.

“We have just surpassed Parramatta for participation in junior rugby league and we are only second to the Panthers.

“And you want to relocate us? We are a true pathways club. We have our own academy. Not many clubs can boast this.

“We have the largest catchment as far as Oztag and touch go, and they just throw away these comments.

“It is just disgusting.

“Do some homework before you do anything, Bruce.”