Easts Tigers Enter Expansion Race

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

Not really, its too far from Suncorp and doesnt have its own stadium. I guess if our ambition is small clubs with 20k members,12k crowds and $10mill revenues it makes sense to bring in all these suburban clubs ala Sydney. I'd hope the NRL's ambitions might be bigger than that though one day.

There are a lot of Broncos fans in Ipswich and the western suburbs of Brisbane that are adjacent to it. I cannot see the Jets convincing enough of these people to jump ship. Ipswich's links with Broncos, through the Walters brothers and Allan Langer, will make it hard for the older folks out that way to switch allegiance.

Firehawks will find it much easier to bring new fans on board, especially since the Broncos abandoned the southern suburbs when they left QEII Stadium in 2003 to return to Lang Park.

 

[Perth Red]

If the Firehawks already need the sort of revenue that selling home games brings then they aren't the right team for an NRL license.

But has Canberra done alright out of GWS though?!

What about Tasmania out of North Melbourne and Hawthorn?!

I can tell you from first hand experience that being strung along by the AFL has done more damage than good, and the situation in Tasmania speaks for it's self.

If you dont want to be reliant on pokies you need to maximise revenue other ways, including taking games on road. Some of the most profitable clubs do it.

We’ve had this debate many times, if you’re a fan of a sport that doesn’t have a top team in your city then you are grateful for the opportunity to see live gameso,even if they are infrequent and not long term commitments. Attendances and membership take ups prove this.
Not every city and town in the country can have a top tier professional club so sometimes the scraps are better than nothing for starving people!

 

[The Great Dane]

If you dont want to be reliant on pokies you need to maximise revenue other ways, including taking games on road. Some of the most profitable clubs do it.

There're other ways to maximise revenue, and no the most profitable clubs don't.

Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Lakers, West Coast Eagles, etc, etc, wouldn't be caught dead taking games away because it'd murder the value of their season tickets.

We’ve had this debate many times, if you’re a fan of a sport that doesn’t have a top team in your city then you are grateful for the opportunity to see live gameso,even if they are infrequent and not long term commitments. Attendances and membership take ups prove this.
Not every city and town in the country can have a top tier professional club so sometimes the scraps are better than nothing for starving people!

Yeah, yeah, we know you are so self interested that you don't care about the damage done to the sport as long as you personally get to go down to watch a game of footy at HBF Park.

You're also a hypocritic on the subject because you'll happily report people in Perth becoming frustrated and disenfranchise with the NRL stringing them along, as happened with the AFL in both Tasmania and Canberra, but will pretend it isn't happening when it's inconvenient.

 

[Perth Red]

There're other ways to maximise revenue, and no the most profitable clubs don't.

Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Lakers, West Coast Eagles, etc, etc, wouldn't be caught dead taking games away because it'd murder the value of their season tickets.

Yeah, yeah, we know you are so self interested that you don't care about the damage done to the sport as long as you personally get to go down to watch a game of footy at HBF Park.

You're also a hypocritic on the subject because you'll happily report people in Perth becoming frustrated and disenfranchise with the NRL stringing them along, as happened with the AFL in both Tasmania and Canberra, but will pretend it isn't happening when it's inconvenient.

I was talking about nrl clubs not world sport! Souths, Storm and broncos are the three biggest football operations revenue generators, two of them take games on the road.

You’d have to be pretty blind to not see the difference between the arlc stringing along a city like perth, and clubs bringing games here so fans can actually get see the occasional game of nrl. I’ve seen absolutely zero harm done to the game here from clubs bringing games. In fact it generates interest in the media and gives the myopic east coast a chance to see that RL interest stretches beyond nsw And qlnd.

it can feel like a cash grab if you hope to have your own club but if you’ve no hope then it’s just like going to any other one off big event. I don’t get upset when I go see u2 in concert that they aren’t moving to perth and playing here every week!
I suggest you go live somewhere without an nrl club for a few years then tell me how you don’t think places like perth should get nrl games!

 

[Jim Rockford]

I suggest you go live somewhere without an nrl club for a few years then tell me how you don’t think places like perth should get nrl games!

Or you could go live somewhere that does have an NRL club then we wouldn't have to live with your constant whinging. Although I have no doubt you would still find something else to whinge about as that's what you do best.

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

I was talking about nrl clubs not world sport! Souths, Storm and broncos are the three biggest football operations revenue generators, two of them take games on the road.

You’d have to be pretty blind to not see the difference between the arlc stringing along a city like perth, and clubs bringing games here so fans can actually get see the occasional game of nrl. I’ve seen absolutely zero harm done to the game here from clubs bringing games. In fact it generates interest in the media and gives the myopic east coast a chance to see that RL interest stretches beyond nsw And qlnd.

it can feel like a cash grab if you hope to have your own club but if you’ve no hope then it’s just like going to any other one off big event. I don’t get upset when I go see u2 in concert that they aren’t moving to perth and playing here every week!
I suggest you go live somewhere without an nrl club for a few years then tell me how you don’t think places like perth should get nrl games!

I think Perth should have a team of its own.

How are people supposed to take our game seriously when it's the only game that has zero presence in Australia's 4th and 5th largest cities?

My only question about Perth is how long will they need to set up a team?

If they cannot do it before 2027 then I think the NRL should look at Brisbane 2 and 3, then bring in NZ 2 and Perth for the 2027 season. COVID-19 is going to be around for awhile and Brisbane 2 and 3 are the only teams that won't drain the NRL's coffers during this period. NZ 2 and Perth will be just as unviable as Warriors and Storm should COVID-19 force the teams to play out of Queensland for a few more years. We know Brisbane 2 and 3 have the money to survive during this period.

 

[flippikat]

I think Perth should have a team of its own.

How are people supposed to take our game seriously when it's the only game that has zero presence in Australia's 4th and 5th largest cities?

My only question about Perth is how long will they need to set up a team?

I honestly think any interested bid would be able to set-up with a 2 year lead-in.

More time is preferable, but at a minimum IMO 2 years. I think the noises about "we could still add Brisbane 2 in 2023" is a unique situation, and somewhat fanciful.

Although any of the three Brisbane2 bids could cobble something together in less than two years, it's a unique situation because they'd be launching from the logistic base of an existing 2nd tier club. A new team in Perth, Adelaide, or NZ likely would be a completely new entity, requiring 2 years to establish before they hit the field.

Even though the Brisbane clubs could logistically be ready quickly, less than 2 years is little time to assemble a decent squad.

The big unknown is how much Covid factors into the 18th team decision. I would hope it's well in the rear view mirror by the time the next TV deal starts, allowing Perth or NZ2 to be that team.. with a 2-3 year lead-in, we'd have to be confident by about 2025 (decision time) - which seems reasonable.

 

[Perth Red]

if the nrl is smart it would be playing the WA govt now to get as much for the game here as it can out of an expansion decision. Tourism business has taken a massive hit here and the idea of an nrl club when covid is over to bring exposure and sports tourists from the lucrative east coast market would be an easy sell for Vlandys. The wa budget economy is booming and budget has a massive surplus.
Get the WA govt to commit to building a HQ and training facilities for NRLWA and the new club, a good rental deal on hbf park, funding for grassroots programs etc.

in terms of start up I’d say two to three years ideally. Year 1 to put the clubs infrastructure in place Year 2/3 launch of nsw cup side and fan engagement, player signings.

we know we have the stadium, fans and govt support. Only question is how much are the interested millionaire owners willing to put in and how many corporates can we get on board. If both of those look positive there is very little risk or reason not to bring in perth next.

 

[Perth Red]

Firehawks have signed ex broncos boss. Looks like they’ve having a late run at the line after Dolphins led the field. Surprised at how quiet Jets have been, it’s not like the bombers mob who have been very media savvy.

 

[flippikat]

Firehawks have signed ex broncos boss. Looks like they’ve having a late run at the line after Dolphins led the field. Surprised at how quiet Jets have been, it’s not like the bombers mob who have been very media savvy.

I think the Firehawks bid have done a lot of things right - from the choice of home ground, to Shane Richardson's stated play to get a broad reach in the fanbase, to feeder arrangements with Central Queensland.. all across the board.

Even though their roots are in Brisbane Easts, they're clearly trying to be more than that - a true 2nd Brisbane team.

Give 'em the license already, I say!

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

I honestly think any interested bid would be able to set-up with a 2 year lead-in.

More time is preferable, but at a minimum IMO 2 years. I think the noises about "we could still add Brisbane 2 in 2023" is a unique situation, and somewhat fanciful.

Although any of the three Brisbane2 bids could cobble something together in less than two years, it's a unique situation because they'd be launching from the logistic base of an existing 2nd tier club. A new team in Perth, Adelaide, or NZ likely would be a completely new entity, requiring 2 years to establish before they hit the field.

Even though the Brisbane clubs could logistically be ready quickly, less than 2 years is little time to assemble a decent squad.

The big unknown is how much Covid factors into the 18th team decision. I would hope it's well in the rear view mirror by the time the next TV deal starts, allowing Perth or NZ2 to be that team.. with a 2-3 year lead-in, we'd have to be confident by about 2025 (decision time) - which seems reasonable.

If they only want to add one Brisbane team then it has to be the Firehawks. It ticks all the boxes for second team in a 2 city town.

Broncos = North of the Brisbane River and west of the CBD.

Firehawks = South of the Brisbane River and east of the CBD.

Both clubs are close to the CBD, so they'll have broad appeal and will be seen by people who commute to the CBD for work.

if the nrl is smart it would be playing the WA govt now to get as much for the game here as it can out of an expansion decision. Tourism business has taken a massive hit here and the idea of an nrl club when covid is over to bring exposure and sports tourists from the lucrative east coast market would be an easy sell for Vlandys. The wa budget economy is booming and budget has a massive surplus.
Get the WA govt to commit to building a HQ and training facilities for NRLWA and the new club, a good rental deal on hbf park, funding for grassroots programs etc.

in terms of start up I’d say two to three years ideally. Year 1 to put the clubs infrastructure in place Year 2/3 launch of nsw cup side and fan engagement, player signings.

we know we have the stadium, fans and govt support. Only question is how much are the interested millionaire owners willing to put in and how many corporates can we get on board. If both of those look positive there is very little risk or reason not to bring in perth next.

Shorten the season to 18 rounds and create a genuine pre-season competition that gets places like Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth RL content before the AwFuL season begins.

 

[Pippen94]

If they only want to add one Brisbane team then it has to be the Firehawks. It ticks all the boxes for second team in a 2 city town.

Broncos = North of the Brisbane River and west of the CBD.

Firehawks = South of the Brisbane River and east of the CBD.

Both clubs are close to the CBD, so they'll have broad appeal and will be seen by people who commute to the CBD for work.


Shorten the season to 18 rounds and create a genuine pre-season competition that gets places like Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth RL content before the AwFuL season begins.

So ppl in Logan & Ipswich will see inner city based club as local team?! Wouldn't work that way in Sydney

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

So ppl in Logan & Ipswich will see inner city based club as local team?! Wouldn't work that way in Sydney

If I had the choice of supporting a team from eastern suburbs of Brisbane or one from Ipswich, I would choose the former.

Most of Logan is just south of the eastern suburbs of Brisbane. The rural and semi-rural western suburbs of Logan are just south of Brisbane's south-western suburbs. Browns Plains is the only really built-up suburb in the western suburbs of Logan. Most of Logan's population lives in its northern and eastern suburbs, which is part of Easts Tigers catchment.

 

[Perth Red]

Although the NRL expansion recently hit a snag, with plans to place another team in Queensland suspended amid COVID-19 uncertainty, prospective club, the Brisbane Firehawks, have secured a five-year-deal with one of rugby league's biggest football nurseries.

According to Peter Badel of News Corp, the Firehawks have come to a five-year agreement with the Central Queensland Capras.

Subject to the Firehawks clinching an NRL licence, the Capras will supply the prospective NRL club with some of the best young talent in Queensland Rugby League.
The Firehawks recent deal with the Capras puts them in healthy stead as they challenge for the Brisbane expansion against rival clubs the Brisbane Jets and the Redcliffe-backed Dolphins.

Ranked No.1 by the QRL, the Central Queensland catchment houses more than 8,000 registered players, a former of which being previous Central Queensland Capra and now Melbourne Storm superstar Cameron Munster.
While the deal is still in its infancy, there's expectations that the Firehawks will hold both NRL premiership games and trials in the Central Queensland region and construct two rugby league academies if they win the bid.

“It’s great to establish links with the Capras,” bid consultant for the Firehawks Brent Richardson said.

“Central Queensland has a massive catchment, they are up there in terms of playing numbers with Penrith, there is so much untapped talent in that region.

“Obviously the arrangement is contingent upon us getting an NRL licence, but we are already building Academies in Rockhampton and Gladstone."

Richardson also believes that catchments like the one that exists in Central Queensland provide enough evidence that the NRL has a large enough talent pool to justify 17 teams.

“It’s nonsense to say there isn’t enough talent for 17 teams,” he said.

“Central Queensland is proof there is plenty of talent to sustain a 17th NRL team. They are a huge strength for rugby league.
“It‘s a goldmine for the NRL and the local council is really supportive. They are looking to turn Browne Park in Rockhampton to make it into a 15,000-seat stadium.

“It‘s a no-brainer for the NRL to expand, it’s not just about having another team for television, it’s about the growth of rugby league in Queensland and attacking the AFL in the west of Brisbane.”

New Capras deal has Firehawks flourishing in expansion race

The Brisbane Firehawks are building a strong case for their expansion into the NRL.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[mongoose]

So ppl in Logan & Ipswich will see inner city based club as local team?! Wouldn't work that way in Sydney

Many Broncos fans live in Ipswich and Logan!! Brisbane isn't Sydney....

 

[Pippen94]

Many Broncos fans live in Ipswich and Logan!! Brisbane isn't Sydney....

Every city is provincial. I can't believe there's no divide between south and city & north.

 

[Pippen94]

Although the NRL expansion recently hit a snag, with plans to place another team in Queensland suspended amid COVID-19 uncertainty, prospective club, the Brisbane Firehawks, have secured a five-year-deal with one of rugby league's biggest football nurseries.

According to Peter Badel of News Corp, the Firehawks have come to a five-year agreement with the Central Queensland Capras.

Subject to the Firehawks clinching an NRL licence, the Capras will supply the prospective NRL club with some of the best young talent in Queensland Rugby League.
The Firehawks recent deal with the Capras puts them in healthy stead as they challenge for the Brisbane expansion against rival clubs the Brisbane Jets and the Redcliffe-backed Dolphins.

Ranked No.1 by the QRL, the Central Queensland catchment houses more than 8,000 registered players, a former of which being previous Central Queensland Capra and now Melbourne Storm superstar Cameron Munster.
While the deal is still in its infancy, there's expectations that the Firehawks will hold both NRL premiership games and trials in the Central Queensland region and construct two rugby league academies if they win the bid.

“It’s great to establish links with the Capras,” bid consultant for the Firehawks Brent Richardson said.

“Central Queensland has a massive catchment, they are up there in terms of playing numbers with Penrith, there is so much untapped talent in that region.

“Obviously the arrangement is contingent upon us getting an NRL licence, but we are already building Academies in Rockhampton and Gladstone."

Richardson also believes that catchments like the one that exists in Central Queensland provide enough evidence that the NRL has a large enough talent pool to justify 17 teams.

“It’s nonsense to say there isn’t enough talent for 17 teams,” he said.

“Central Queensland is proof there is plenty of talent to sustain a 17th NRL team. They are a huge strength for rugby league.
“It‘s a goldmine for the NRL and the local council is really supportive. They are looking to turn Browne Park in Rockhampton to make it into a 15,000-seat stadium.

“It‘s a no-brainer for the NRL to expand, it’s not just about having another team for television, it’s about the growth of rugby league in Queensland and attacking the AFL in the west of Brisbane.”

New Capras deal has Firehawks flourishing in expansion race

The Brisbane Firehawks are building a strong case for their expansion into the NRL.

www.zerotackle.com

So an inner city club with connection to small regional area. How about just focusing on chunk of Brisbane??

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

So an inner city club with connection to small regional area. How about just focusing on chunk of Brisbane??

Tigers have a catchment that extends from Bulimba near the Brisbane River all the way down through the eastern suburbs of Brisbane and Logan. This puts them on the opposite side of town to the Broncos and provides a north vs south and east vs west rivalry.

 

[Pippen94]

Tigers have a catchment that extends from Bulimba near the Brisbane River all the way down through the eastern suburbs of Brisbane and Logan. This puts them on the opposite side of town to the Broncos and provides a north vs south and east vs west rivalry.

How's an inner city team going to viewed as south team. If wanderers were based at Leichhardt then parra, Penrith etc wouldn't have accepted them. Not a local but know Logan will not see inner city clubs as theirs

 

[MugaB]

How's an inner city team going to viewed as south team. If wanderers were based at Leichhardt then parra, Penrith etc wouldn't have accepted them. Not a local but know Logan will not see inner city clubs as theirs

Logic and donkey doesn't correlate...
Plus he lives in logan, so if there's a new team nearby, of course he'll be a fan of it