Brisbane3 - What is needed to make it a successful bid?

[BuffaloRules]

Any team on their day simply can’t beat one another so that’s false

Teams aren’t better in 2026 overall. If that were the case, we wouldn’t be seeing those scorelines every week.

What invariably happens with expansion looking at data from other competitions is that the top remain at the top for a lot longer while the bottom remain locked down there for a lot longer. The difference between the top and bottom increases, it doesn’t decrease. Look at RL from about the mid 90’s to the cull of the late 90’s.

These are opinions …not facts you are saying

The Dolphins flog the Sharks one week and get 50 put on them the next by the cellar dwellers Manly …

The Wests Tigers and wooden spoon Knights currently sit 2nd and 3rd on the ladder

 

[Colk]

that is never going to happen, 10 teams? c'mon

content is king - "quality" is subjective as well.

Of course it is not going to happen because as you say it is all about ‘content’ - a new pervasive and meaningless corporate buzzword. It is all about more rather than better until such time as enough people turn off.

It should happen but it won’t. You might have five quality games as opposed to one max and seven unwatchable.

 

[Colk]

These are opinions …not facts ..

The Dolphins flog the Sharks one week and get 50 put on them the next by the cellar dwellers Manly …

The Wests Tigers and wooden spoon Knights currently sit 2nd and 3rd on the ladder

No they are facts. None of these teams are going to do anything in the competition.

The fact that the Tigers and Knights are coming second and third simply underscores how poor the competition is. Like seriously do you really think the Knights and the Tigers are a chance of winning the competition?

 

[BuffaloRules]

No they are facts. None of these teams are going to do anything in the competition.

The fact that the Tigers and Knights are coming second and third simply underscores how poor the competition is. Like seriously do you really think the Knights and the Tigers are a chance of winning the competition?

So on one had you literally say that the “bottom teams remain on the bottom longer “ and when shown that isn’t the case you do a 180 and say “ well those teams doing well simply underscores how poor the competition is”

your “banter” this past week has crossed over to just constant aimless trolling ..I’ll be wiping you very shortly and suggest others here do the same

 

[Colk]

So on one had you literally say that the “bottom teams remain on the bottom longer “ and when shown that isn’t the case you do a 180 and say “ well those teams doing well simply underscores how poor the competition is”

your “banter” this past week has crossed over to just constant aimless trolling ..I’ll be wiping you very shortly and suggest others here do the same

You could probably pick most of the preliminary finalists before a ball was kicked (Penrith, Brisbane, Melbourne - the fourth one is probably the difficult one but they’ll want Brisbane and Melbourne because of the TV viewers)

You could probably pick most of the bottom four as well (Canberra, Dragons and Titans). You could also probably pick a whole bunch of teams that are just there for content - the NRL wouldn’t want them to win or be successful because it wouldn’t be commercially beneficial.

If you reduce the competition you get better quality games and tighter contests. Isn’t that a good thing?

 

[mongoose]

You could probably pick most of the preliminary finalists before a ball was kicked (Penrith, Brisbane, Melbourne - the fourth one is probably the difficult one but they’ll want Brisbane and Melbourne because of the TV viewers)

You could probably pick most of the bottom four as well (Canberra, Dragons and Titans). You could also probably pick a whole bunch of teams that are just there for content - the NRL wouldn’t want them to win or be successful because it wouldn’t be commercially beneficial.

If you reduce the competition you get better quality games and tighter contests. Isn’t that a good thing?

would you though? The Panthers just gave the Storm the biggest thrashing they've had to 2 decades.

also who was picking the Raiders for bottom 4? they have imploded this year due to shitty coaching, shitty preparation, poor tactics and discipline.

 

[Colk]

would you though? The Panthers just gave the Storm the biggest thrashing they've had to 2 decades.

also who was picking the Raiders for bottom 4? they have imploded this year due to shitty coaching, shitty preparation, poor tactics and discipline.

They’ll make the preliminary finals. Who else is going to make it?

They’ll make the bottom four. As a Raiders fan, they are never winning a competition. Not only because of those things but simply because they are a small market team. Have a look at the stadium debacle for instance - has the NRL ever done anything in that regard? I also remember an Andrew Webster article from about 10 years ago where a high ranking official stated that it would easier to f*** the Raiders off. We’ll find out soon enough if the stadium collapses but it is not a conspiracy when they actually tell you.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Storm beat Eels, Eels beat Broncos, Broncos beat Storm.
anyone can beat any one on their day.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Ipswich’s bid to become SEQ’s fourth NRL side: Meet the homegrown dream team​

From certified superstars to Origin heroes, this homegrown Ipswich team would give the NRL a shake if they were to form the league’s newest side.

Does Queensland have the talent for another NRL side? Going by this team, it does.
The mastermind of Ipswich’s NRL bid has declared the home of Queensland legends Allan Langer and Kevin Walters is ready to welcome Brisbane’s third team.
Ipswich bid boss Steve Johnson revealed a United States private equity firm is keen to invest millions into the franchise if the NRL decides to expand to a 20-team competition.
Former NRL strategist Shane Richardson told this masthead that South East Queensland’s booming western corridor was the prime place for the NRL’s next expansion move after the Perth Bears (2027) and PNG Chiefs (2028).

Richardson urged the Ipswich Jets and Easts Tigers to join forces and present an irresistible case to ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys ahead of a potential 2030 launch.
The prospect of another Queensland NRL side got us thinking about what sort of homegrown side they could start with.
We’ve expanded the scope to likely catchment areas Toowoomba and Logan to ensure we capture the best talent.
Using current NRL players who have come through the pathways of the western corridor, or played in their teams in recent seasons, we have compiled our dream team.
How do you think the below 17 stacks up?
■ Broncos v Dolphins all-time dream teams: Who wins?

The Western Corridor 1-17​

1. Tesi Niu (Leigh Leopards)​

A Marsden State High and Logan junior who progressed through the Brisbane Broncos system to represent Tonga and play over 50 NRL games.

2. Phillip Sami (Titans)​

A Goodna Eagles and Springfield Panthers junior who has played over 100 NRL games and represented the Queensland Maroons.

3. Treymain Spry (Titans)​

An Ipswich local and Goodna Eagles junior who attended Ipswich State High School and has been a dominant tryscorer in the Q-Cup. Has played a handful of games for the Titans and now lines up for feeder club the Jets.

4. Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos)​

A former Ipswich Jets Q-Cup standout who used the club as a springboard to play NRL for the Broncos, Knights, Cowboys, and Rabbitohs.

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks)​

An Ipswich Jets Mal Meninga Cup junior who has gone on to become a prolific tryscorer for the Sharks and a regular New Zealand international.

6. Ezra Mam (Broncos)​

The pride of Goodna. He is the absolute face of Ipswich rugby league and the first player any local franchise would sign.

7. Tom Dearden (Cowboys)​

A Toowoomba product who grew up on the Darling Downs and learnt his trade in the rough and tumble western corridor.

8. Joe Ofahengaue (Leigh Leopards)​

A true Ipswich product who attended Ipswich State High School and played for Ipswich Brothers.

9. Cory Paix (Broncos)​

Hails from Toowoomba and played for the Southern Suburbs Tigers there; he is a direct product of the western corridor pathway.

10. Josh Papalii (Raiders)​

A Logan Brothers legend and Woodridge boy who has played more than 300 NRL games and created a legacy for the Canberra Raiders and the Maroons.

11. Kurt Capewell (Warriors)​

A 2015 Ipswich Jets premiership winner who went on to win an NRL Grand Final with Penrith and represent Queensland in State of Origin.

12. Ethan Bullemor (Sea Eagles)​

A St Mary’s Toowoomba student who has played over 80 NRL games across the Broncos, Sea Eagles, and Dolphins.

13. Billy Walters (Broncos)​

The son of Ipswich royalty Kevin, Billy has established his own reputation in the NRL as a versatile and underrated player who helped the Broncos during their 2025 title surge.

The Bench​

14. Jake Simpkin (Sea Eagles)​

A Southern Suburbs Toowoomba junior and Western Mustangs product who has played over 40 NRL games as a specialist hooker.

15. Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)​

A Marsden State High product from the Logan area who has established himself as a versatile starter for the Dolphins in the NRL.

16. Sam Walker (Roosters)​

Literally raised on the sidelines of the Ipswich Jets while his dad and uncle coached. He played for North Ipswich Tigers and is the one of most creative playmakers the city has ever produced.

17. Oliver Pascoe (Titans)​

The local boy who recently transitioned from the Ipswich Jets Q-Cup side to the NRL, proving the pathway is still wide open.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/ipswichs-bid-to-become-seqs-fourth-nrl-side-meet-the-homegrown-dream-team/news-story/93bafcc8c34832ce9878ec59388ef723

 

[Steel Saints]

There just isn’t enough players for the amount of teams that we have. Strip it back to 10 to 12.

Yay! More joint ventures! Or if teams fold, the AFL will step into the vacant area.

So how do we improve the comp? The answer is very simple.

Every club needs to improve their pathways. Some would say that it's easy for Penrith because they have a large junior nursery. While the Roosters have a small amount. But what the Roosters have done is they have an agreement with Rugby League Central Coast to nurture the local talent and improve the pathways in the region.

Meanwhile JV clubs Dragons and Tigers have separate teams in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball, and one team in Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup. A weird set up.

 

[Colk]

Yay! More joint ventures! Or if teams fold, the AFL will step into the vacant area.

So how do we improve the comp? The answer is very simple.

Every club needs to improve their pathways. Some would say that it's easy for Penrith because they have a large junior nursery. While the Roosters have a small amount. But what the Roosters have done is they have an agreement with Rugby League Central Coast to nurture the local talent and improve the pathways in the region.

Meanwhile JV clubs Dragons and Tigers have separate teams in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball, and one team in Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup. A weird set up.

Yeah that’s a drawback but it is a momentary one. The next generation will follow one of the existing teams in the competition. You would also move the teams back to NSW or QLD Cup to keep the identity intact.

If you want to pick to 10 or 12 to remain, just ask the FTA broadcaster who they want to show. Channel Nine only want to show a certain amount of sides and there is a reason for that.

 

[mongoose]

Ipswich’s bid to become SEQ’s fourth NRL side: Meet the homegrown dream team​

From certified superstars to Origin heroes, this homegrown Ipswich team would give the NRL a shake if they were to form the league’s newest side.

Does Queensland have the talent for another NRL side? Going by this team, it does.
The mastermind of Ipswich’s NRL bid has declared the home of Queensland legends Allan Langer and Kevin Walters is ready to welcome Brisbane’s third team.
Ipswich bid boss Steve Johnson revealed a United States private equity firm is keen to invest millions into the franchise if the NRL decides to expand to a 20-team competition.
Former NRL strategist Shane Richardson told this masthead that South East Queensland’s booming western corridor was the prime place for the NRL’s next expansion move after the Perth Bears (2027) and PNG Chiefs (2028).

Richardson urged the Ipswich Jets and Easts Tigers to join forces and present an irresistible case to ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys ahead of a potential 2030 launch.
The prospect of another Queensland NRL side got us thinking about what sort of homegrown side they could start with.
We’ve expanded the scope to likely catchment areas Toowoomba and Logan to ensure we capture the best talent.
Using current NRL players who have come through the pathways of the western corridor, or played in their teams in recent seasons, we have compiled our dream team.
How do you think the below 17 stacks up?
■ Broncos v Dolphins all-time dream teams: Who wins?

The Western Corridor 1-17​

1. Tesi Niu (Leigh Leopards)​

A Marsden State High and Logan junior who progressed through the Brisbane Broncos system to represent Tonga and play over 50 NRL games.

2. Phillip Sami (Titans)​

A Goodna Eagles and Springfield Panthers junior who has played over 100 NRL games and represented the Queensland Maroons.

3. Treymain Spry (Titans)​

An Ipswich local and Goodna Eagles junior who attended Ipswich State High School and has been a dominant tryscorer in the Q-Cup. Has played a handful of games for the Titans and now lines up for feeder club the Jets.

4. Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos)​

A former Ipswich Jets Q-Cup standout who used the club as a springboard to play NRL for the Broncos, Knights, Cowboys, and Rabbitohs.

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks)​

An Ipswich Jets Mal Meninga Cup junior who has gone on to become a prolific tryscorer for the Sharks and a regular New Zealand international.

6. Ezra Mam (Broncos)​

The pride of Goodna. He is the absolute face of Ipswich rugby league and the first player any local franchise would sign.

7. Tom Dearden (Cowboys)​

A Toowoomba product who grew up on the Darling Downs and learnt his trade in the rough and tumble western corridor.

8. Joe Ofahengaue (Leigh Leopards)​

A true Ipswich product who attended Ipswich State High School and played for Ipswich Brothers.

9. Cory Paix (Broncos)​

Hails from Toowoomba and played for the Southern Suburbs Tigers there; he is a direct product of the western corridor pathway.

10. Josh Papalii (Raiders)​

A Logan Brothers legend and Woodridge boy who has played more than 300 NRL games and created a legacy for the Canberra Raiders and the Maroons.

11. Kurt Capewell (Warriors)​

A 2015 Ipswich Jets premiership winner who went on to win an NRL Grand Final with Penrith and represent Queensland in State of Origin.

12. Ethan Bullemor (Sea Eagles)​

A St Mary’s Toowoomba student who has played over 80 NRL games across the Broncos, Sea Eagles, and Dolphins.

13. Billy Walters (Broncos)​

The son of Ipswich royalty Kevin, Billy has established his own reputation in the NRL as a versatile and underrated player who helped the Broncos during their 2025 title surge.

The Bench​

14. Jake Simpkin (Sea Eagles)​

A Southern Suburbs Toowoomba junior and Western Mustangs product who has played over 40 NRL games as a specialist hooker.

15. Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)​

A Marsden State High product from the Logan area who has established himself as a versatile starter for the Dolphins in the NRL.

16. Sam Walker (Roosters)​

Literally raised on the sidelines of the Ipswich Jets while his dad and uncle coached. He played for North Ipswich Tigers and is the one of most creative playmakers the city has ever produced.

17. Oliver Pascoe (Titans)​

The local boy who recently transitioned from the Ipswich Jets Q-Cup side to the NRL, proving the pathway is still wide open.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/ipswichs-bid-to-become-seqs-fourth-nrl-side-meet-the-homegrown-dream-team/news-story/93bafcc8c34832ce9878ec59388ef723

Logan isn't Ipswich homegrown FFS...

Like saying Penrith = Campbelltown

 

[Wb1234]

Yay! More joint ventures! Or if teams fold, the AFL will step into the vacant area.

So how do we improve the comp? The answer is very simple.

Every club needs to improve their pathways. Some would say that it's easy for Penrith because they have a large junior nursery. While the Roosters have a small amount. But what the Roosters have done is they have an agreement with Rugby League Central Coast to nurture the local talent and improve the pathways in the region.

Meanwhile JV clubs Dragons and Tigers have separate teams in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball, and one team in Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup. A weird set up.

One million percent.

 

[Steel Saints]

Yeah that’s a drawback but it is a momentary one. The next generation will follow one of the existing teams in the competition. You would also move the teams back to NSW or QLD Cup to keep the identity intact.

If you want to pick to 10 or 12 to remain, just ask the FTA broadcaster who they want to show. Channel Nine only want to show a certain amount of sides and there is a reason for that.

That drawback will damage the game. Many fans will leave the code. The departed fans may instruct or influence the next generation to follow their new code/team.

With Channel Nine or FTA, it is not what it used to be. Certainly not in the era where Packer was the owner of Nine. FTA is losing it's influence. Even high profile tv presenters are leaving FTA to move to radio and podcasting.

Tv rights deals may look very different in the mid to long term.

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-photos/karl-stefanovics-hit-podcast-gives-him-major-leverage-in-multimilliondollar-talks/news-story/3bb297c841ad53b7624a93e39a6feb8d

 

[SirPies&Beers]

That drawback will damage the game. Many fans will leave the code. The departed fans may instruct or influence the next generation to follow their new code/team.

With Channel Nine or FTA, it is not what it used to be. Certainly not in the era where Packer was the owner of Nine. FTA is losing it's influence. Even high profile tv presenters are leaving FTA to move to radio and podcasting.

Tv rights deals may look very different in the mid to long term.

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-photos/karl-stefanovics-hit-podcast-gives-him-major-leverage-in-multimilliondollar-talks/news-story/3bb297c841ad53b7624a93e39a6feb8d

i think with how we lost bears fans and they only coming back now proves cutting teams is a dumb idea.
@Colk honest question but are you even a rugby league fan? your ideas indicate you want the game to die.

 

[i0Nic]

You could probably pick most of the preliminary finalists before a ball was kicked (Penrith, Brisbane, Melbourne - the fourth one is probably the difficult one but they’ll want Brisbane and Melbourne because of the TV viewers)

You could probably pick most of the bottom four as well (Canberra, Dragons and Titans). You could also probably pick a whole bunch of teams that are just there for content - the NRL wouldn’t want them to win or be successful because it wouldn’t be commercially beneficial.

If you reduce the competition you get better quality games and tighter contests. Isn’t that a good thing?

You could probably pick the fumble troll quite easily as well just by looking at posts..

 

[Wb1234]

You could probably pick the fumble troll quite easily as well just by looking at posts..

Yes way more subtle than most

way too much effort though not like Pvl is going to read his posts and think I’m going to stop expanding and cementing league as the number one sport

fumblers have 19 teams and draw players only from under half of Australia

league has a bit over half, plus nz, png and the pacific islands

so on his argument the afl should have eight teams

 

[i0Nic]

Yes way more subtle than most

way too much effort though not like Pvl is going to read his posts and think I’m going to stop expanding and cementing league as the number one sport

fumblers have 19 teams and draw players only from under half of Australia

league has a bit over half, plus nz, png and the pacific islands

so on his argument the afl should have eight teams

Yeah his posting as a subtle troll is next level commitment. If a troll is that deeply embedded in rugby league does that actually make you a fan I wonder.

anyway, yes the afl are seeing a massive dip in quality which is worse for their sport considering its already a messy fumbly one, so a degradation in quality makes it even more of a shit show to watch. Once Tasmania are in it will make it worse. They can’t tap into a population of islanders, NZers or Brits though - they’re limited to the fumblers coming out of wasteland states. Which is actually falling not growing. see WA afl participation numbers.

 

[Wb1234]

Yeah his posting as a subtle troll is next level commitment. If a troll is that deeply embedded in rugby league does that actually make you a fan I wonder.

anyway, yes the afl are seeing a massive dip in quality which is worse for their sport considering its already a messy fumbly one, so a degradation in quality makes it even more of a shit show to watch. Once Tasmania are in it will make it worse. They can’t tap into a population of islanders, NZers or Brits though - they’re limited to the fumblers coming out of wasteland states. Which is actually falling not growing. see WA afl participation numbers.

There’s a few people on here pretending to like league to repost stuff on other forums

some people really have no life

 

[flippikat]

I wouldn’t give up on the hope for a second Kiwi side completely. It’s inevitable that a few clubs will fall by the wayside as more teams come in.

I can't see clubs "falling by the wayside" happening because a) the NRL grant typically keeps teams afloat, b) the NRL tends to bail out teams that hit choppy waters (with few - if any - strings attached.. certainly not a relication condition) and c) the NRL has no appetite for annoying an existing team's fanbase.

At a stretch MAYBE a relocation of a team. Maybe. If the club itself steps in that direction (any NRL strong-arming wouldn't go down well). But not a club dropping out.