NRL 2022: How Dolphins were confirmed as Brisbane’s second team

The 14-year wait for a new NRL outfit is over. Here’s how the Dolphins won the battle to be named Brisbane’s second team and how the historic day unfolded.

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landys. Picture: Getty

The day that changed the face of rugby league in Queensland kicked off just before 7.30am with an interview to promote of all things, a horse race.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys was on breakfast television to talk about The Everest when he dropped a bombshell that put rugby league fans on notice and three bid teams on tenterhooks - at some point on Wednesday, the NRL would be making a call on their 17th team.

V’landys had covertly scheduled a meeting of the ARL Commission immediately following his Today Show appearance. He jumped off his interview with Queensland’s very own Karl Stefanovic and co-host Allison Langdon, and straight into a hookup with his fellow commissioners.

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Over the course of an hour, they thrashed out the benefits of expansion and the merits of the three bid teams. Sources insist that when the final call was made, all were in favour of the Dolphins, officially ending a process that has been years in the making.

The Dolphins had presented a compelling case that the commission could not resist. NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed on Wednesday that the expansion review committee late last week had voted unanimously in favour of the Dolphins, convinced of their bid due to their combination of financial muscle and quality facilities.

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landys. Picture: Getty

The final decision though rested in the hands of the seven commissioners. There had been whispers for weeks that the commission was divided - Kate Jones and Megan Davis were believed to have concerns about the threat of the AFL in the western corridor of Brisbane, an area the Jets called home and the Firehawks were keen to cultivate.

Eventually, Jones and Davis apparently had their concerns assuaged. Having called a commission meeting for 7.30am, it was all over in about an hour. The Dolphins had carried the day.

Expansion began in earnest two years ago, when former ARL Commission chair Peter Beattie went public with plans to add another team in south-east Queensland. The Jets had long coveted a licence but others had been working quietly behind the scenes to get their house in order.

The Firehawks and Dolphins turned it into a genuine three-horse race. Yet there were concerns over the Jets’ finances and the Firehawks’ pathways. The Dolphins’ ticked boxes on both fronts.

Redcliffe Dolphins bid chief Terry Reader. Picture: Lachie Millard

It was left to Abdo to relay the news to those with the most to lose. His first calls were to Jets bosses Nick Livermore and Steve Johnson, and Firehawks’ chief Brian Torpy. Then, just after 9am, Abdo picked up the phone to ring Dolphins bid leader Terry Reader.

Reader was sitting at his computer, sifting through some images in preparation for an announcement that he thought may be arriving on Thursday.

As Abdo’s name flashed on his phone, Reader held his breath and accepted the call that rugby league officialdom hope will stave off the threat of AFL and strengthen rugby league’s grip on south-east Queensland.

“When I saw Andrew’s name flash up on my phone, my heart skipped a beat,” Reader said.

“We were never formally told we were in despite all the media speculation. We felt we were in a strong position because of our confidence in our bid.

“When he delivered the wonderful news, it made our day and now we are underway. This announcement caught us off guard, I haven‘t stopped since Andrew called me this morning.

Veteran coach Wayne Bennett will head up the Dolphins outfit. Picture: Getty

“It’s fantastic for the club and for Queensland rugby league, it’s a wonderful day for the Dolphins, they have been working on this for 30 years.

“They used to play in the top league and that‘s why they operate. They had that taken off them in 1987 when the Broncos were added to the big league in 1988, but now the Dolphins are back where they belong.”

Abdo added: “We had the commission meeting very early this morning and that was when the commission resolved to approve expansion and the Dolphins.

“Following the meeting I had two important and very difficult phone calls. We had three excellent bids put in front of us.

“I spoke to (the two losing bid teams) in person and explained the decision. They were both extremely professional in the way they dealt with it.”

Suede Miru Soloai and Jesse Green in Dolphins colours. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Abdo made a point of telling them not to give up hope. One day the NRL would likely move to 18 teams. At that point, both would be back in the running.

“Clearly they will be disappointed - they have put a lot of hard work into this,“ Abdo said.

“I understand their disappointment.”

At the same time, there was elation at the Dolphins. They have long been considered favourites for the 17th licence but there were concerns at times that the current clubs would scupper the process.

As late as last week, at a fiery meeting between V’landys, Abdo and the clubs, concerns were raised over the financial ramifications for the existing teams.

At that meeting, it is understood things became heated between V’landys and South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly. Solly has been the most vocal of the club bosses but he is far from the only one to feel frustration with the process.

The clubs have felt at times that they have been frozen out. As the members of the commission, there is a view that they should have been consulted in more detail.

The alternative view is that commission is independent and its only job is to lead the game without fear or favour. Expansion, they say, is in the game’s best interest and therefore will benefit the clubs.

Regardless, the decision has been made. The Dolphins have granted entry to the NRL in 2023.

“In his book, Arthur Beetson said it was his dream to play the Dolphins play the Roosters in the NRL one day and now we can make this a reality for his family and for Artie watching from up above,” Reader said.

“There‘s some brilliant narratives that make this day so great and I really feel privileged to have worked on this project.

“But the real work starts now.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: How Dolphins were confirmed as Brisbane’s second team