"We want to keep growing," NRL CEO
Andrew Abdo declared late last year. "By the end of 2024, we will know what it looks like for an 18th franchise and potentially beyond that."
Debate around expansion in the NRL has rumbled on ever since the Dolphins became the first new franchise to enter into the league since the Gold Coast Titans in 2007.
The Dolphins have proved to be a roaring success since their inception with the Redcliffe-based outfit gaining legions of fans under the stewardship of
Wayne Bennett .
However, the Dolphins’ inclusion has brought with it some associated headaches when it comes to scheduling, with the NRL having to implement bye rounds due to the uneven numbers in the competition.
Therefore, the 17th franchise was always going to be the initial step towards a greater expansion effort with an extra game to generate increased television revenue now at the forefront of the Commission’s agenda.
The newest NRL franchise has long been rumoured to be connected to Papua New Guinea.
The bid forms part of a soft diplomacy pitch by the Australian federal government in a move which will try to fend off China’s growing interest in the region.
The support of the Australian government is paramount to the expansion goals with ARLC chair Peter V’landys noting the outline for talks during Magic Round.
"It’s not a done deal," V’landys said of the PNG expansion bid.
"We’ve got a few negotiation points that we haven’t quite got over and if we don’t get over them, unfortunately it won’t happen."
Discussions around the club being based in Cairns but travelling to Port Moresby for games has been floated, as has the construction of a state-of-the-art facility and living compound to house the club in PNG.
"What we want to do is be based in PNG, and that’s important," V’landys stressed.
"But you need to have good facilities there, good accommodation and all of those things are on the table at the moment."
Prime minister Anthony Albanese has often been a vocal supporter of the move to expand into the region, although noted how the ultimate decision would rest in the hands of the NRL.
"It’s not a decision for the government," Albanese said.
"But we know we have a bit of competitive tension in the region and engagement, if you like, in soft diplomacy, showing the relationship between Australia and our neighbours, that is so important."
V’landys revealed during Magic Round conversations had been had to determine the exact details of the PNG bid, before it will be taken to all 17 NRL clubs to potentially sign off on.
In the wake of this meeting, it was reported the federal government and the NRL ironed out a 10-year deal which would see $600m spent as rugby league was used as a source of diplomacy in the Pacific.
"If the balls fall into place, it will be two or three weeks (until a final decision on expansion)," V’landys concluded.
The bid stemming from Western Australia poses far less risk than the PNG move but is currently believed to be the second favourite option for expansion.
With the PNG bid given a tentative green light last week, the NRL will reportedly instead seek licences for the 19th and 20th teams in the near future with Perth at the top of this list.
"I’m taking an AVO out on (Western Australia Premier Roger Cook)," V’landys joked.
"He rings me every day asking to put a Perth team in, and their bid is looking very, very good."
Perth’s bid has often been linked to the possible resurrection of the North Sydney Bears as a prominent force once again.
V’landys hinted that the two proponents joining forces would only serve to strengthen their chances of being accepted.
"It would certainly help their bid because the Bears have a strong supporter base," he said.
"They have also got a feeder system and juniors, so it makes sense for Perth to look at that proposal."
Under this guise, the Bears will be granted a handful of matches at North Sydney Oval each season, while the rest of the assigned home games will be played in Perth.
Meanwhile, Bennett has backed the push to return to Western Australia in the near future.
"I believe Perth should be one of the expansion teams," the legendary coach said.
"They are very rugby league-aware now and have had a lot of teams over there and Origin games.
"It’s a huge area of income – they have got some of the biggest companies in Australia in Perth. It all makes sense, and they have got great facilities."
