People have used all sorts of dumb arguments against expanding into Brisbane. I've seen Kiwis on other RL forums say Brisbane cannot support a second team because everyone is apparently a Broncos fan.
At this stage I think Brisbane 3 looks more likely than NZ2. There's just no where outside of Auckland that can produce the capital needed to support an NRL club in a small regional country that is dominated by RU.
Auckland cannot support a second club.
This Pasifika crap Is just plain dumb. It has nothing going for it whatsoever. The amount of air travel it will need to put it will be cost prohibitive and bad for player welfare. No one will want to live in PNG. Cairns isn't in a position to support a team. No one in Cairns will turn their back on the Cowboys to sponsor a Pasifika team that has no relevance to the local community.
Perth has a decent chance, but only if the business case stacks up and the WA Gov provides the infrastructure it will need to compete with the other clubs.
The ARLC said the Brisbane Tigers and Ipswich Jets are not out of the running to pick up the 18th licence. Ch9 wants a third Brisbane team. Brisbane Tigers are flush with money and assets. No one can put together a stronger bid than the Brisbane Tigers. The ARLC is a conservative administration and will go with the safest option. That's the Brisbane Tigers.
Biased opinion based entirely on you wanting a 3rd brisbane team on your doorstep
Again all this talk is moot anyways as they aren't going back to brisbane for atleast another 5 years minimum, dolphins are going to need to win the next 4 out of 5 games just to make the finals, plus hope the lower half if the 8 are shortening aswell, yes they were a success for initial memberships crowds and interest, but if they dont stay relevant in the next few years getting close to finals, why then have a 3rd team?
As for channel 9, who gives a f**k what they want, they are so inept, even trying to tank the sport during covid, dont even get me started on the today show crap, if they want a voice at the table theyll need to do better in stumping up better funds, and better promotion and coverage..
The only votes that matter are the 17 clubs, the QRL and NSWRL and the ARLC, thats it... all the media conjecture on who deserves what or which channel prefers what area, is all garbage...
..so the question is whats in it for them?
More money? How? 18th team no matter where its placed. creates more money via upping the deal to sell 9 games instead of 8...automatically, so no.
More players? Which bid will create more players for these clubs and factions to pilfer off of?
WA nope, SA nope, Vic2 nope, NZ2 yes but is there a bid? nope Png yes, Seq4 yes
More derbys to boost surrounding clubs? Dolphins have boosted the South Queensland areas interest into the NRL and ignited fans, crowds, revenue and memberships for Broncos, Titans and the Dolphins.
Which bid area can do this for other clubs?
WA nope, SA nope, VIC2 yes (Storm) NZ2 yes (Warriors) PNG yes (Cowboys)
Bears maybe (depends where it is based)
Easts Tigers maybe (depends where it is based)
and the dolphins aren't entrenched in yet to judge on whether an 18th team would be worthy so soon in SEQ
There are 17 clubs that are not going to vote in same direction, they all get funds from broadcasters, they all make money, they wont vote in a club or bid that drains them of their own athletes, so you can cancel out VIC2 coz thats what the storm has done the past 25 years, WA, SA are n that same boat..
SEQ is fine but they have 3 clubs there now, they wont go back to that well so soon,
NZ2 would be a frontrunner if they existed
PNG is the only area left, and are willing to become a Pacifika style team to base themselves in a safe environment in FNQ, whilst still fifo home games into port moresby, Cairns could never have its own team, but i see no difference between the dolphins in redcliffe for 3 games a year and 9 in suncorp, and Pacifika for 3 games a year in Cairns, and 9 games in Port Moresby
