18th club, whose next?

[BuffaloRules]

The ”threat” of the AFL taking over Ipswich and Toowoomba is laughable

 

[MugaB]

Warriors selling out games means another team is needed

No it doesn't, just means they are unifying the current crop of fans in their region, it's no co incidence that since fta in nz started the warriors got a spike in attendances, that and coming 3rd last season all helped with this current WAHs movement, a 2nd nz2 team splits all that, yes it can boost a rivalry but it can certainly dilute it too

 

[Matt_CBY]

Rugby league will avoid the most explosive legal battle since the Super League war with the Queensland Rugby League set to shake hands with the NRL on a $100 million bonanza - the biggest funding deal in their history.

This masthead can reveal the QRL will use part of the mega deal to ramp-up a bold plan to deliver a fifth NRL franchise in Brisbane’s western corridor as part of the code’s march towards 20 teams.

The QRL and NSWRL have been at loggerheads with the NRL for a year.

QRL boss Ben Ikin had slammed League Central over alleged “pork barrelling” and the state bodies were set for a legal showdown with the NRL in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday, September 13 - the start of the NRL finals series. That legal listing is still live, but the war could be over within days.

The state bodies have reached an agreement in principle, with the QRL poised to ink a bumper four-year deal that will inject mega millions into grassroots, development - and an expansion masterplan to bring another NRL team to Queensland.

The funding bonanza will run until the end of 2027 ahead of talks for the code’s next TV rights deal from 2028.

The Western Bears and Papua New Guinea are slated to enter the NRL as the 18th and 19th teams in 2027-28, but the QRL’s $100m war chest could see the Sunshine State blow Christchurch bids out of the water for a 20th licence.

Rugby league’s bitter civil war during the Super League ructions of 1995 almost killed the code, but QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher is determined to avoid an expensive and painful legal brouhaha.

“We’ve got an agreement in principle with the NRL so hopefully we’re close to signing a deal,” Hatcher said. “A lot of deals can fall over at the last minute, but once it’s signed, we’ve got a legally-binding contract in place and there shouldn’t be any need to have any differences of opinion anymore.

“Once the individual documents are signed by New South Wales and Queensland, the legal action will cease to be on-foot. “We’re all aiming to get it done by next week. “This deal put us significantly in front of where we have been the last couple of years. “We have some real certainty. “It enables us to do a lot of things. We are in the business of rugby league and all we want to see is rugby league thriving in Queensland. “I am passionate about young kids having an opportunity and having a go.”

That extends to the western-corridor of Brisbane’s bid to become Queensland’s fifth NRL team alongside the Broncos, Cowboys, Titans and the Dolphins.

The NRL is exploring the prospect of adding a second New Zealand team as the 20th club, but Hatcher and QRL boss Ben Ikin are adamant Brisbane’s western corridor cannot be ignored.

The AFL has identified the western corridor, encompassing Ipswich and Toowoomba, as Queensland’s next growth corridor and believes it can dethrone the NRL by winning the hearts and minds of that region.

Ikin and Hatcher are acutely aware of the AFL threat. The new funding deal will allow the QRL to allocate funds to the region, with Dolphins super coach Wayne Bennett adamant Brisbane’s western corridor is ready for an NRL team.

In June, more than 8000 fans packed into Toowoomba Sports Ground to greet the Queensland Origin side at their annual fan day.

“That region would be an ideal area for expansion,” Bennett said.

“It’s such a rich nursery and the game is looking to build better and stronger pathways and that western corridor of Brisbane into Toowoomba is huge. “We can’t underestimate the threat of the AFL.

“There’s enough kids out there to play both sports but it’s always been a strong rugby league area and the AFL have been very aggressive in targeting that area.

“They are putting a lot of funding into that region. “We can’t ignore the western corridor.”

The new deal will tip at least $25 million annually into the QRL’s coffers, funds Hatcher says can help rugby league combat the AFL’s incursion as he called for the NRL to add a new franchise in the west.

“To create new franchises we have to get the pathways right. Funding is vital,” Hatcher said.

“I think the western corridor is a better option than a second team in New Zealand.

“The area has a great history. We took a big punt by bringing the Toowoomba Clydesdales into our (Queensland Cup) competition and it’s great to see the region being recognised by the ARL Commission as a massive growth area.

sick of the AFL threats that come from the Western Corridor.

 

[Perth Red]

How does the QRL getting double their grant money (another cave in by Vlandys lol) support a 5th NRL team? Its not like the QRL are going to fund a bid.

 

[jim_57]

The ”threat” of the AFL taking over Ipswich and Toowoomba is laughable

Article is like the last 50 about a Western Corridor team. AFL will take over Ipswich and Toowoomba without playing any games west of Woolloongabba because NRL doesn’t have any clubs playing west of Milton.

Also any “windfall” should be going exclusively towards the running of QRL comps, not them funding a team in the NRL. No way Broncos, Dolphins, Titans & Cowboys would stand for the QRL directly funding a new QLD NRL team, Easts Tigers too for that matter.

Western Corridor should be team 21. Hopefully someone in NZ can put together a great bid, if not I fear this dramatised logic will win over the NRL.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

How does the QRL getting double their grant money (another cave in by Vlandys lol) support a 5th NRL team? Its not like the QRL are going to fund a bid.

They didn't really say did they. Maybe Ikin asked for Ipswich as well as the funding and Vlandy's said, no worries, bury your court case, give us an NRL reserve grade and you've got a deal.

 

[BuffaloRules]

How does the QRL getting double their grant money (another cave in by Vlandys lol) support a 5th NRL team? Its not like the QRL are going to fund a bid.

Looks like you are getting the outcome you wanted for this round of expansion :

18- Western Bears
19- PNG
20 - Brisbane 3

 

[MugaB]

Looks like you are getting the outcome you wanted for this round of expansion :

18- Western Bears
19- PNG
20 - Brisbane 3

He wanted perf, Adelaide and nz2

 

[BuffaloRules]

He wanted perf, Adelaide and nz2

I think he is a big fan of further Brisbane teams … he is concerned about the AFL threat in the Western corridor

 

[flippikat]

He wanted perf, Adelaide and nz2

If Adelaide had the same groundwork that Perth has had over the last decade or so, it would be a good contender for expansion right now.

Unfortunately it's been largely forgotten as a potential market, and about time that was changed.

One of the positives if we expand to Perth is that the NRL can look to Adelaide as the next big market in AFL territory to start development work in.

 

[Scootsie]

All this talk about money for PNG to counter the threat from China has me confused. I mean, I didn’t think China even played Rugby League. How good can they be?

 

[MugaB]

All this talk about money for PNG to counter the threat from China has me confused. I mean, I didn’t think China even played Rugby League. How good can they be?

So good, they could base themselves on your goaline forever

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

If Adelaide had the same groundwork that Perth has had over the last decade or so, it would be a good contender for expansion right now.

Unfortunately it's been largely forgotten as a potential market, and about time that was changed.

One of the positives if we expand to Perth is that the NRL can look to Adelaide as the next big market in AFL territory to start development work in.

Totally agree with that, especially if Western Reds take off, South Oz and Adelaide will be the glaringly obvious missing piece in the puzzle.
It will also have immediate and massive appeal in a marketing sense. So much easier to market teams that represent a state, especially in encounters against other major capital city teams.

 

[MugaB]

I think he is a big fan of further Brisbane teams … he is concerned about the AFL threat in the Western corridor

I can tell he is certainly not, not after the year long spat with grotd over the merits of non heartland new markets, vs more qld sides...
We all agree that more qld sides are a good move eventually, just maybe from licence 21 onwards, let the dolphins get some breathing space

 

[MugaB]

Totally agree with that, especially if Western Reds take off, South Oz and Adelaide will be the glaringly obvious missing piece in the puzzle.
It will also have immediate and massive appeal in a marketing sense. So much easier to market teams that represent a state, especially in encounters against other major capital city teams.

Adelaide isn't good at RL, it's on par with Darwin..
Yes it's 1.5 million in the city, so there's a good solid market, if they are keen on it... but zero juniors or any other metric that is nessesary for a 1st grade side to flourish there, they'll need a a full relocation, at bare minimum, like norths/perf but on steroids (as WA is actually not inept at RL, and win most of the affiliate comps)
I've said ot many times over, ship that useless glamour club we call Sydney there, bingo =Adelaide Roosters, same colors as the previous Rams, whole city to themselves, would have an instant rivalry with storm, and Bears, and they'll actually be able to blossom there without having to only rely on poaching everyone else's rookies here in nsw

 

[flippikat]

Adelaide isn't good at RL, it's on par with Darwin..
Yes it's 1.5 million in the city, so there's a good solid market, if they are keen on it... but zero juniors or any other metric that is nessesary for a 1st grade side to flourish there, they'll need a a full relocation, at bare minimum, like norths/perf but on steroids (as WA is actually not inept at RL, and win most of the affiliate comps)
I've said ot many times over, ship that useless glamour club we call Sydney there, bingo =Adelaide Roosters, same colors as the previous Rams, whole city to themselves, would have an instant rivalry with storm, and Bears, and they'll actually be able to blossom there without having to only rely on poaching everyone else's rookies here in nsw

While it's easy to say this club or that club should be relocated (or is a good candidate for relocation) - reality is that it's hard to see any circumstances that would put a club in that position. The NRL grants pretty much see to that.

Even IF some unforseen "big bad" (eg another pandemic) happens that harshly upsets the balance of revenue & expenses, the NRL and ARL and NSWRL before that have had a history of bailouts with little-to-no conditions - and certainly no expectation of relocation.

 

[Perth Red]

While it's easy to say this club or that club should be relocated (or is a good candidate for relocation) - reality is that it's hard to see any circumstances that would put a club in that position. The NRL grants pretty much see to that.

Even IF some unforseen "big bad" (eg another pandemic) happens that harshly upsets the balance of revenue & expenses, the NRL and ARL and NSWRL before that have had a history of bailouts with little-to-no conditions - and certainly no expectation of relocation.

Whilst I agree, times do change. at numerous times over the last 35 years there has been moves to rationalise Sydney. The current Chair doesnt believe in it, but thats not to say the next one wont.
The current commission have gone for an add more teams to the existing pool strategy ,as opposed to rationalise the number to open up spots for new area growth. If that will be the strategy of future commissions none of us know.

Without perpetual licenses clubs are vulnerable to a change of direction to some degree. They are stuck between a rock and hard place a little, they dont want perpetual licenses and it gives them the threat of a break away comp every 5 years so they can hold the commission over a barrel, but without them, in theory, any club could fail to have its license renewed in 5 years.