NRL Expansion. Ideas and opinions.

[Perth Red]

There was an article in the courier mail today suggesting that if the Titans don’t deliver a profit by 2023 they should be relocated to Brisbane and become the 2nd Brisbane club.

I love how everyone judges the Titans by criteria no other club has to meet!
No supporters - err they have more attending than many clubs
Need to be profitable - err most of the NRL clubs run at losses, some very big ones
Crap brand - And a chicken or a slimy Eel were good brands?

 

[flippikat]

Probably just Redliffe and Ipswich from Q Cup but I don't think they've launched an official bid yet, just talk. There were also whispers of Brisbane Brothers. But no, no serious member based club bids yet.

I've said it before here, but I really think the NRL needs to say "put up or shut up" to Redcliffe. They scared the Gold Coast bid off being "Gold Coast Dolphins" (a far better identity than Titans IMO), so let's see their bid now.. or else stop being so precious about that sea-mammal.

Ideally the NRL gives the Pirates license #17, and calls for Brisbane bids. Time for a quick show of hands - who wants in? If the NRL do that, we'll know within a month who's serious about being Brisbane 2.

Then judge them all on their business cases & pick a winner. There you have the Broncos new cross-town rival. If it's a close call between two Brisbane bids, maybe get the loser as a 3rd Brisbane team in the following expansion.. or suggest another location they may want to focus their bid on, *IF* (big if) their model can be transplanted to a new location & is welcome there.

 

[King hit]

I love how everyone judges the Titans by criteria no other club has to meet!
No supporters - err they have more attending than many clubs
Need to be profitable - err most of the NRL clubs run at losses, some very big ones
Crap brand - And a chicken or a slimy Eel were good brands?

The Titans almost never record profits and lose an average of 3 million a year. The NRL have to bail them out constantly and if it wasn’t for long term commitments the Titans could’ve easily folded by now. They are almost always ranked in the lower 8 for club support and revenue so it’s a stretch to say they are ahead of many clubs. You do know that the Roosters name was chosen because their colours were French and a rooster is the national animal of France, Parramata go by the Eels because Parramatta is an Aboriginal word for ‘where the Eels lie’.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I've said it before here, but I really think the NRL needs to say "put up or shut up" to Redcliffe. They scared the Gold Coast bid off being "Gold Coast Dolphins" (a far better identity than Titans IMO), so let's see their bid now.. or else stop being so precious about that sea-mammal.

Ideally the NRL gives the Pirates license #17, and calls for Brisbane bids. Time for a quick show of hands - who wants in? If the NRL do that, we'll know within a month who's serious about being Brisbane 2.

Then judge them all on their business cases & pick a winner. There you have the Broncos new cross-town rival. If it's a close call between two Brisbane bids, maybe get the loser as a 3rd Brisbane team in the following expansion.. or suggest another location they may want to focus their bid on, *IF* (big if) their model can be transplanted to a new location & is welcome there.

Good points - Redcliffe are actually one of, if not the, strongest club in the QRL. The only problem for them, for NRL inclusion is their location. They either play out of a revamped Dolphin Oval which could be built into a 20k stadium which is not the size we want a second Brisbane team or they play 40km away in Suncorp Stadium and firstly, not really be Redcliffe anymore and secondly potentially alienate their core fans (kind of like asking Penrith to play out of ANZ).

 

[titoelcolombiano]

The Titans almost never record profits and lose an average of 3 million a year. The NRL have to bail them out constantly and if it wasn’t for long term commitments the Titans could’ve easily folded by now. They are almost always ranked in the lower 8 for club support and revenue so it’s a stretch to say they are ahead of many clubs. You do know that the Roosters name was chosen because their colours were French and a rooster is the national animal of France, Parramata go by the Eels because Parramatta is an Aboriginal word for ‘where the Eels lie’.

Not to mention that they are the only team in an NRL heartland city (ok, not as strong as Brisbane and Townsville but still predominantly a RL city) with the lowest membership in the NRL and a history of failed franchises in that location - I think given those factors, anyone can understand the concern over the future of the Titans. But, they are here with new owners and I'm prepared to give them one last go, if they fail again - the licence is much more beneficial to the game if it is moved to Brisbane.

 

[flippikat]

Good points - Redcliffe are actually one of, if not the, strongest club in the QRL. The only problem for them, for NRL inclusion is their location. They either play out of a revamped Dolphin Oval which could be built into a 20k stadium which is not the size we want a second Brisbane team or they play 40km away in Suncorp Stadium and firstly, not really be Redcliffe anymore and secondly potentially alienate their core fans (kind of like asking Penrith to play out of ANZ).

Perhaps pick a more central bid for Brisbane 2 & have Redcliffe in mind for the following round of expansion as Redcliffe/Sunshine Coast Dolphins - with a game or two on the SC & the rest of home games at a revamped Dolphin Oval?

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Perhaps pick a more central bid for Brisbane 2 & have Redcliffe in mind for the following round of expansion as Redcliffe/Sunshine Coast Dolphins - with a game or two on the SC & the rest of home games at a revamped Dolphin Oval?

I actually wonder if the NRL are leaning towards two SE QLD teams too you know. My initial thoughts were Redcliffe and Ipswich. Neither would offer a solution to the 'two teams out of Suncorp' problem but maybe that is the thought if say, Gold Coast fall over.

 

[flippikat]

I actually wonder if the NRL are leaning towards two SE QLD teams too you know. My initial thoughts were Redcliffe and Ipswich. Neither would offer a solution to the 'two teams out of Suncorp' problem but maybe that is the thought if say, Gold Coast fall over.

I'm thinking the NRL are hoping that a central Brisbane bid that's NOT a Broncos clone like the Bombers will emerge.

Jets playing out of Suncorp is somewhat less problematic than Dolphins playing out of Suncorp, but I'm not sure if that's the NRLs ideal solution.

If a formal "Brisbane United" bid (joint venture between some Brisbane clubs) or a QRL bid with club buy-in emerges, I think that will be red hot favourite.

It all depends on whether the NRL want to divide Brisbane along geographical lines.. but with an asset like Suncorp Stadium in the middle of the city that's only used every 2nd week, why would you want to have the 2nd Brisbane club playing out in the suburbs?

 

[mistertaylor]

I'm sure Redcliffe or Ipswich would happily play most home games out of Suncorp if it guaranteed their inclusion into the NRL.

 

[flippikat]

I'm sure Redcliffe or Ipswich would happily play most home games out of Suncorp if it guaranteed their inclusion into the NRL.

Fair point.. but they'd have to make sure to reach-out to potential fans across the city.

Another suburban team with a fanbase that's reluctant to travel for home games at a superior venue to their local park is NOT what the NRL needs.

 

[mistertaylor]

Bear in mind that if redcliffe or ipswich got in theyd probably look at a name like "SEQ Jets" or "Brisbane Dolphins".

The days of top tier sporting franchises having a suburban moniker are long gone.

 

[Stallion]

Bear in mind that if redcliffe or ipswich got in theyd probably look at a name like "SEQ Jets" or "Brisbane Dolphins".

The days of top tier sporting franchises having a suburban moniker are long gone.

Brisbane" ..............".makes good sense!

 

[mistertaylor]

It all depends on whether the NRL want to divide Brisbane along geographical lines.. but with an asset like Suncorp Stadium in the middle of the city that's only used every 2nd week, why would you want to have the 2nd Brisbane club playing out in the suburbs?

A second BNE team would play out of Suncorp, no question.

The variable is where would the players train - Redcliffe, Ipswich, or somewhere else in Brisbane itself?

 

[Stallion]

A second BNE team would play out of Suncorp, no question.

The variable is where would the players train - Redcliffe, Ipswich, or somewhere else in Brisbane itself?

Would love to see some deal arranged and the Brisbane Dolphins come to life in the NRL. Here's hoping!

 

[Perth Red]

Would love to see some deal arranged and the Brisbane Dolphins come to life in the NRL. Here's hoping!

Do they have dolphins in Brisbane? River looks a bit grim for a dolphin to swim in lol

 

[The Great Dane]

Do they have dolphins in Brisbane? River looks a bit grim for a dolphin to swim in lol

So does the amazon, and yet dolphins make a living there... Used to be in the Yangtze as well, but pollution screwed them there...

BTW-http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-15/dolphins-spotted-in-the-brisbane-river/9447176

There's also the Snubfin dolphin which though it is coastal it does spend a lot of time in rivers as well, though it probably doesn't/hasn't lived in the Brisbane river, though there are as of yet unsubstantiated claims that it does/has, definitely would make for a uniquely local and interesting twist on the dolphin theme though.

 

[The Great Dane]

Double.

 

[Stallion]

Do they have dolphins in Brisbane? River looks a bit grim for a dolphin to swim in lol

Do they have Titans in the Gold Coast and Broncos in Brisbane?. Or Pirates in PERTH? Anyway I think you get the idea. It's a fairly attractive name and rolls of the tongue quite easily. Maybe it might get the nod? Who knows with the way things are these days! Common sense is not around in bucket loads that's for sure.

 

[mistertaylor]

Do they have dolphins in Brisbane? River looks a bit grim for a dolphin to swim in lol

Ever seen a dragon in St George?

 

[DlEHARD]

St George was a dragonslayer. I always find it funny that they now go by Dragons.