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Central Coast Bears' campaign to join the NRL could be derailed by teams from Brisbane or Perth
Heated bidding .. Central Coast Bears fighting to join the NRL.
Central Coast Bears should be bypassed in favour of a second team in Brisbane or one in Perth if the NRL expands its competition in 2013,
according to Craig Davison, a director in his consortium's bid for another team to be based in Brisbane.
Davison said that Gosford was geographically too close to Sydney and would also damage nearby rivals Manly Sea Eagles and Newcastle Knights.
He said a second Brisbane team would help ward off the
AFL while the game should expand nationally by including the WA Western Reds. "No doubt the Central Coast is a good model and they have a strong bid," Davison said.
"But a team there would only hurt Newcastle and Manly. I don't want to denigrate another bid but there are obvious question marks about the Central Coast.
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"They have the funding but there is a bigger picture. Ask Manly and Newcastle. You also have to look at the demographics.
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"I think the WA Reds would be a good option to grow the game nationally and our bid would ensure southeast Queensland keeps the AFL out. We are hoping it comes off."
Davison said 18 teams would ensure a wonderful
NRL competition but questioned the financial viability of some Sydney clubs.
"You have to ask whether some of the Sydney clubs can survive. It is a dilemma," he said.
However, Central Coast CEO Greg Florimo predictably scoffed at Davison's comments.
"From a commercial point of view, we don't see ourselves impacting on any other clubs," Florimo said.
"Our bid has covered the expansion side of things and also consolidated a rugby league heartland area. We have 5500 registered kids on the Central Coast and a further 1200 on the north shore. Bring that together and it is a massive franchise area."