By Nick Wright
It’s a region that’s produced some of the nation’s finest rugby league figures, and continues to churn out an arsenal of talent and passion.
So why has Queensland’s sport-mad western corridor seemingly fallen down the pecking order in the NRL’s expansion plans as rival codes make their intentions clear?
More than 6000 fans packed out Clive Berghofer Stadium at the Maroons’ fan day in Toowoomba last week, their hysterical presence a testament to the passion the Darling Downs and south-west communities had for the game.
Reece Walsh with fans at a Queensland Maroons media day at the Toowoomba Sports Ground last Tuesday.Credit: AAPIMAGE
Maroons forward Kurt Capewell, a product of Charleville, was adamant the area could sustain an NRL outfit to provide a pathway for Queensland Cup side the Western Clydesdales.
“You can see by the turnout how much this means to the people of the Darling Downs region, all the way up to Warwick and Chinchilla,” Capewell said.
“Obviously, there are plenty of NRL fans out here. The heart of NRL is Queensland, and there’s plenty of talent out here that probably does get missed.
“I’m sure the Toowoomba Clydesdales are going to help out there retaining the local talent so they don’t have to go to Sydney and other clubs.”
It is expected the Australian Rugby League Commission will meet before State of Origin game two on Wednesday to iron out the criteria for expansion clubs 18 through to 20.
The Brisbane Tigers have entered a bid to capture the region, but the proud outfit of more than 90 years faces stern competition from other potential suitors.
A Papua New Guinea franchise – backed heavily by the Federal Government – appears destined to join the fray, with Tigers’ chairman Shane Edwards telling 4BC Drive last month it was “a fait accompli”.
A union between the North Sydney Bears and Perth is favoured to join a second New Zealand outfit to then round out the expanded competition.
Edwards says Queensland had almost 40 per cent of the sport’s registered players, but without another team, would have less than a 20 per cent representation in the NRL.
The Tigers’ bid includes a redeveloped Totally Workwear Stadium at Langlands Park in Brisbane, and building a 12,000-capacity stadium at an upgraded North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct.
But each rival bid has merit, and each is aligned with ARL boss Peter V’landys’ vision to target new fan bases. The Perth market is typically dominated by the AFL, in New Zealand, it’s rugby union – and both regions have promise in attracting fresh viewers.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, the AFL is slowly making inroads into rugby league heartland, making little secret of its desire to attract a new breed of Aussie rules talents.
The AFL announced record participation in Queensland last year, reaching more than 68,000 players – a 45 per cent increase since 2019 – ranging from AusKick youngsters to club athletes.
By contrast, rugby league claims 60,000 players out of its various clubs, not considering junior introductory pathways.
Both sports can co-exist, but rugby league’s expansion plans – and future strength – rely on a constant stream of talented youngsters coming through the ranks.
If the AFL gains the upper hand, and athletes hopeful of remaining close to home have limited pathways to pursue their NRL goals, those hoping to follow in the footsteps of Shane Webcke, Ben and Shane Walker, and Dale Shearer could well make the switch.
Brisbane Tigers captain Ryley Jacks has witnessed the influence the AFL is having on a region previously dominated by rugby league.
It is why the former Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans halfback believes the NRL would “be mad” to not ensure Queensland’s western corridor was the focus of their expansion plans.
“We’re losing Ipswich, Toowoomba, Logan, south Brisbane,” Jacks said.
“They’re the areas our bid is going to target. I think the AFL are going to swoop in there – they’re already in there … going out to schools working for the club, so I see every oval’s got AFL posts.
“I think they’d be mad if they tried to go anywhere else.”
Ryley Jacks pictured during his time with the Melbourne Storm.Credit: Getty Images
For a club to replicate the success the Dolphins have had coming out of the gates, there needs to be an established foundation. But Queensland’s south-west has that: the talent is ready, and the fan base is there to be captured.
Can they all come to the party? Can a leaf be taken out of the Super Rugby book, who welcomed Moana Pasifika, a collaboration of players from the Pacific Island nations?
Either way, if immediate and long-term success are the goals, consideration of a fifth Queensland outfit must remain on the table.