NRL 2024: Brisbane Tigers fighting to secure 18th NRL team license in next expansion amid turf war with AFL in Queensland

With the AFL making major incursions into Brisbane’s western corridor, there’s fears rugby league could lose the turf war in Queensland if the Brisbane Tigers are snubbed of an NRL expansion license.

The Brisbane Tigers insist they are no threat to the Broncos as a possible 18th NRL team and warned the ARL Commission of the dangers of closing the door on fresh expansion in Queensland.

Brisbane Tigers chairman Shane Edwards’ stance came as Christchurch bid chief David Moffett turned up the heat in the fierce four-way battle for three NRL licences.

The ARL Commission will meet on Wednesday week and discuss plans for a proposed 20-team league that could see PNG, the Perth Bears and a second New Zealand club added to the NRL by the 2032 Olympics.

The NRL’s fierce code rival the AFL is making major incursions into Brisbane’s western corridor and Edwards fears rugby league could lose a turf war in Queensland if the Tigers are snubbed.

“If you look at what the Dolphins have done for the NRL, there is definitely room for a fifth Queensland team,” Edwards said.

“I see us as the best option.

“Obviously I am biased, but the Brisbane Tigers have a great football pedigree, we are 90 years old with a successful system in place.

Brisbane Tigers hoisting the Hostplus Cup in 2023. Picture: QRL

“If you go to Perth, PNG or the south of New Zealand, it’s a new market. Queensland is established rugby league heartland.

“We would love to be the 18th team. We are accepting that PNG will most likely get it, but Queensland definitely deserves another licence as part of a 20-team competition.

“If it doesn’t happen as part of a 20-team comp, it will probably never happen.”

The Moffett-led Christchurch bid remains adamant they could be fast-tracked as the game’s 18th team. While that outcome seems unlikely, the South Island Kea have been pressing on with their plans to be part of an expanded NRL.

“The South Island Kea will be ready to play in the 2026 season and with New Zealand Rugby in disarray and the Pacific Islands increasingly turning to rugby league, now is the time to make a huge statement of intent,” Moffett said.

“With NRL backing we can make a huge difference and authentically increase the number of new Rugby League fans.”

Edwards believes a fifth Queensland NRL team could alleviate the pressure of the AFL taking over their turf. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Christchurch consortium team is working with Cook Islands Rugby League and the government of Niue to align themselves with the Pacific nations.

They have also worked on formalising partnerships with schools in the region to help create a pathway system at the grassroots level.

Senior bid member Robert Picone said the Kea had aligned with Tupou College in Tonga, Lelean Memorial in Fiji and Robert Louis Stevenson School in Samoa.

“Genuine investment into pathways across the Pacific region and New Zealand will provide our club with long-term success,” he said.

“The partnerships we have established across the Pacific Islands and New Zealand will create amazing opportunities for young boys and girls.

“Our programs show real investment in the grassroots of a region, which has brought so much more than rugby league talent to the NRL but also wonderful culture and spirit of community.”

Edwards, meanwhile, says the NRL cannot ignore the AFL threat closer to home in Brisbane’s western corridor and believes the Tigers can work with the Broncos and Dolphins to attack the AFL.

“There were concerns the Dolphins would take away from the Broncos, but they have helped them,” Edwards said.

“There is a great need for a team in Brisbane’s western corridor, the AFL has started their Academy in recent weeks and we need to give people in that region an NRL team to support.

“We’re not in any way a threat to the Broncos. They are a huge brand. They have been established for nearly 40 years. The Brisbane Tigers are a ground-up club.

“We have juniors, a senior pathway and we’re the current premiers of the state league.

“The Broncos are like the Manchester United or Liverpool of the NRL. They are a big brand in Australian sport and they will get even more popular if a fifth Queensland team comes in.

“Of all the regions you can look at, Brisbane’s western corridor is the most fertile team for the NRL to generate money, fans and TV subscribers.

“We could certainly come in by 2027. The Dolphins had 18 months to put together a football team. Give us 18 months and we will take up the challenge.”