Ipswich NRL bid targets Bennett, Walters and Langer for Broncos reunion
Brisbane’s $60 million western corridor NRL bid has targeted three of Queensland rugby league’s most famous names to spearhead a rugby league revolution at Ipswich.
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April 11, 2026 - 4:00PM
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NRL: The push for a 5th Queensland team is still very much possible as the competition records towards having 20 teams.
Brisbane’s $60 million western corridor NRL bid is targeting Wayne Bennett, Kevin Walters and Allan Langer in a move that could see the Broncos’ Big Three reunited at Ipswich.
This masthead can reveal the Jets are eyeing off a Dream Team of Bennett, Walters and ‘Alfie’ Langer to spearhead a rugby league revolution in Brisbane’s west should Ipswich win the NRL’s 20th licence.
As revealed by this masthead, ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys will meet with Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin to discuss the prospect of a fifth NRL franchise in the Sunshine State.
Well-placed sources say Walters and Langer are primary targets, the former as a possible foundation coach, the latter as a patron given their status as Ipswich legends.
Meanwhile, Bennett will be headhunted for a senior role and is seen as the perfect fit for a Brisbane western corridor team, with the 76-year-old born at Allora south of Toowoomba.
Former Jets coach Kevin Walter.
Broncos foundation coach Bennett first spotted Walters and Langer playing in Ipswich as teenagers and the duo were his champion halves during the Red Hill golden age that started with Brisbane’s first premiership in 1992.
Now, almost four decades later, the band could be back together again if the ARLC expands to
Brisbane’s western corridor in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics.
Walters coached the Jets to their first ever minor premiership in the Queensland Cup in 2008 and would relish the prospect of returning home to lead Ipswich into a bold new NRL era.
“It’s so exciting. I hope they get an NRL licence,” Walters said.
“They would have my full support.
Allan Langer playing for the Ipswich Jets. Photo: Supplied
“I grew up there and have very fond memories of Ipswich and the whole region.
“If I can help in some way to get them into the NRL, I will do whatever I can.”
Walters severed ties with the Broncos in 2024, just 12 months after steering Brisbane to a grand-final loss against Penrith, and has not given up hope of an NRL coaching comeback.
“I love coaching, so if an opportunity comes up to coach them (an Ipswich NRL team), I will look at it,” he said.
“I see myself as a career coach and if the Jets are keen, I will have a look at it.
“There’s plenty of places that have been spoken about (for NRL expansion) ... New Zealand, Adelaide and Brisbane’s western corridor.
“Peter V’landys has been very smart with the decisions he has been making and I’m sure he will get this one right as well, whoever that team would be.
“I don’t know what the ARL Commission will do, but I hope it’s Ipswich.
“That area has produced a stack of NRL players, their school systems are strong, so it would be as good as anywhere for the 20th team.
“I would love to see the Ipswich name up in lights in the NRL.”
Ipswich bid boss Steve Johnson confirmed Bennett, Walters and Langer are on his hit list to launch the Jets, who have American investors ready to pump in north of $60 million to a 20th NRL franchise.
Langer currently works for the Broncos in a corporate role, but would find it hard to say no to ‘Kevvie’ and Bennett, his closest mates, if they headed-up Brisbane’s western corridor team.
“Kevin and Wayne Bennett have long links to this region and let’s not forget ‘Alfie’, we would want to bring him back as well,” Johnson said.
“Kevvie and Alfie are massive in this region, the Walters and Langer families are living legends in the city of Ipswich.
“Kevin coached the club to a minor premiership and a losing grand final in 2008 and a club championship in 2007.
The Walters brothers are Ipswich heroes. Picture: Ipswich Libraries
“He has been involved with our club. He played first grade at the Jets and has his club number. He is an Ipswich kid born and bred.
“When you start a franchise you employ the best available people ... if we win an NRL licence, we will certainly engage in conversations to have Kevin, Wayne and Alfie back at the Jets.”
Bennett is currently contracted to Souths until the end of 2027 and is in talks to extend at the Rabbitohs for a further 12 months.
V’landys has hinted at the NRL expanding to a 20-team competition in 2030 or 2032, by which time Bennett would almost certainly be a free agent for a prospective fifth Queensland franchise.
Bennett has a family farm at Warwick in the heart of Brisbane’s western corridor and would almost certainly consider a return home as he approaches his 80th birthday.
When the Jets last submitted a bid for NRL admission in 2021, only to lose out to the Dolphins, Bennett met with Johnson with a view to the Hall of Famer being Ipswich’s maiden coach.
Wayne Bennett watches a Queensland Cup match between Ipswich Jets and Valleys. Photo: David Nielsen/The Queensland Times
Johnson confirmed Bennett is back on the radar as Brisbane’s western corridor ramp-up their NRL bid.
“In our previous model, we had Wayne as a coach and then moving onto the board for an administrative role and being a club mentor for players,” Johnson said.
“We would love Wayne involved, he could decide the role he wants, as simple as that.
“I don’t know if Wayne wants to coach or be the head of football or the wise old man of the club, we would work with him in any capacity.
“He is very passionate about the area, he was born in this region.
“There’s no better mind in rugby league than Wayne Bennett so we would love to have him involved and create whatever role he wanted.”
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