NRL expansion: Brisbane Tigers make their pitch for 18th franchise

Whether it be a stand-alone PNG team or a joint venture involving the Brisbane Tigers, Wayne Bennett’s involvement in the NRL’s 18th team has high-powered backing.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Coach Wayne Bennett of the Dolphins gives a smile at the after match press conference after the round 10 NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on May 06, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Brisbane Tigers have offered to form a joint venture with Papua New Guinea amid a push for super coach Wayne Bennett to help set up an 18th NRL franchise.

As revealed by this masthead, the ARL Commission has begun expansion talks with the Australian government, who are prepared to tip in $600 million to bankroll a new NRL club as part of an 18-team league in 2027.

A government-funded PNG team is the frontrunner to win the code’s next licence and ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys believes Dolphins coach Bennett is tailor-made to build an 18th franchise from ground zero.

Bennett will stand down as Dolphins coach at the end of next season, to be replaced by his assistant Kristian Woolf, and is a free agent from 2025 onwards.

Brisbane Tigers bid chief Shane Richardson is watching the NRL’s expansion machinations closely.

Queensland Cup premiers Brisbane Tigers are gunning for the NRL’s 18th licence.

The former NRL strategy chief says the Tigers could be NRL operational by 2026, with the grand 106-year-old club possessing cash reserves in excess of $25 million and an upgraded $10m training facility at Langlands Park.

While the Tigers could function as a stand-alone NRL club, Richardson says the reigning Queensland Cup premiers are open to joining forces with PNG for an 18th licence, sharing games between Suncorp Stadium and Port Moresby’s National Football Stadium.

“The one thing I like about PNG is they are a genuine rugby league country, so the support for a team would go through the roof,” said Richardson, who in 2015 headed-up the NRL strategic team which investigated expansion.

“I think the Tigers winning the Queensland Cup this year shows we should be the next team to come into the NRL.

“We have great respect for PNG.

Brisbane Tigers NRL bid chiefs are open to a joint venture with Papua New Guinea.

“We are genuine rugby league territory and so are they, so there is that possibility of forming a joint venture.

“We would be ready to come in for 2026. A PNG franchise might take a bit longer, possibly 2028, but we have the capacity to stand alone and be the 18th team in the NRL.

“The reality is the Brisbane Tigers can push the button tomorrow and be in the NRL.

“We have the money, the stadium, the leagues club.

“It’s a decision for the NRL on the next licence and we have an open mind.”

Richardson is adamant a proposed Pasifika model, taking in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, cannot work as an 18th NRL club.

Peter V’landys wants Wayne Bennett involved in the development of the NRL’s 18th franchise. Picture: Getty Images

“I can’t imagine the Cowboys would be too keen to see a Pasifika team based in Cairns,” he said.

“If the Brisbane Tigers is an easy expansion option and PNG is a bit harder, a Pasifika bid is really hard.

“It’s not feasible or logical.”

V’landys has identified Bennett as a coach or consultant for an 18th team and Dolphins mentor, who turns 74 in January, confirmed he is a free agent in 2025.

“I am contracted to the Dolphins for another 12 months … who knows what I will do after that?” he said last month.

“I don’t have any plans to go back to Sydney. I came home to Queensland for a reason.

“I honestly don’t know what I’m doing (in 2025), I have no idea.

“I could keep coaching, but one thing is I’m set in concrete for the Dolphins for next season and that’s not changing.”

Originally published as NRL expansion: Brisbane Tigers make their pitch for 18th franchise