dimitri
First Grade
- Messages
- 7,980
Le KooK said:I can't quite understand the logic of partitioning the potential fanbase of a new South East QLD club by applying a finite geographic label to the club's name. The 'South East Queensland' Crushers was a great name for a club, because it encompassed a wider geographical area than the Broncos without losing the ability to draw Brisbane RL fans.
Now I doubt whether the 'South East Queensland' term can be brought back, due to the creation of the Gold Coast Titans - but I would strongly suggest that any new club be named with a view to generating a collective fanbase in the Sth East QLD region, as opposed to satisfying the needs of a niche market, of which it's support for a new Rugby League team would be unknown. In my opinion this last point is very important, because nobody truly knows the extent of support that exists for a new club in differing locations in the wider Brisbane area. Maybe in Ipswich and West Brisbane they all support the Broncos? Maybe in the north of Brisbane there is a large deal of support for other teams, and possibly other codes? It's a huge risk to bet the future of a new club on such a limited geographical area - cast the net wider, and you will see much better results.
Where to play? To my mind, Lang Park. It's a complete no-brainer. It's a first-class facility that the punters love, and it goes unused every second week. Talk of building new 'boutique' stadiums seems crazy to me, we have the best Rugby League stadium in the world at our disposal - time to make better use of it.
People have spoken of 'avoiding' direct competition with the Broncos fanbase, and to this I can only disagree in the strongest possible terms. There are more than enough 'Bronco-haters' and other assorted Rugby League fans in the wider Brisbane area to make a new 'Brisbane-based' club a raging success - and without damaging the ability of the Broncos to maintain their fanbase.
How to market the new club? Simple. Be the exact opposite of the Broncos. Use the perceived weaknesses of the Broncos to the new club's advantage. The success of the new club in generating a vibrant and consistent fanbase will (IMO) be demonstrated by it's ability to publicly differentiate itself from the Broncos. How do they do this? Here's two ideas off the top of my head:
1. Club ownership/Funding - Align the club with the QRL. Make the club obligated to contribute it's profits to the QRL, through which the game of Rugby League in Sth East QLD will greatly benefit. Make this fact known to the public from the outset.
2. Club history/'Franchise' element - I would suggest the comparative lack of history of the Broncos may mean that a 'new' club with links to Brisbane's Rugby League past would be a very attractive issue on which to distinguish between the two clubs. In my opinion the 'new' club will have to be an 'old' club, either promoted (from the existing QRL competition), or reborn (reviving a now dormant club). The ability of an existing QRL club to shed their geographic label may be too hard - so I would suggest returning a deceased club to it's former glory.
Maybe it's too controversial, offensive to former fans of the BRL/QRL, or simply cringe worthy - but I would love to see a club named 'Brothers' or 'Diehards' plying their trade in the NRL. Especially 'Brothers', I think that's a fantastic club name that doesn't need to devise artificial mascots or monikers. It also doesn't require a specific location in the club name, so perhaps the club could read simply as 'Past Brothers Rugby League Football Club'. It would be a catchy name, plenty of club history, and the club would act as the 'good guys' against the perceived 'evil' arrogance of the Broncos. The clubs would be ideologically opposed to each other on many issues, creating a great rivalry that no other code could compete with.
I agree about using a past name/club
And also about aliging with QRL and profits to go to QRL/Jnr League etc (Isn't that what the SQ Cruashers tried to do with the Crushers Leagues club etc???)
In fact the Crushers Leagues club still exists to promote QRL - www.crushers.com.au
I also agree with using Lang Park every week!!!! - The same way the AFL uses MCG, AAMI Stadium and Subiaco every WEEK!!!
Perhaps once again the club could be aligned to the Crushers Leagues Club - whilst also having other links to Brothers, diehards etc etc etc
Just throwing an idea out there would a team be well supported if it was called something like:
BRISBANE UNITED?
The emblem could be similar to the GB&I emblem in that it is cut into 4 and in each portion you have a different logo ie Brothers, Valleys/Diehards / Crushers???????
And I am sure you could come up with a great design of a jersey using the colours Yellow, Maroon/Red and Blue
with something like Brisbane Unitied RL since 1908 somewhere on there !!!!!!!!!!!