The CEO of NRL expansion team the Dolphins says a WA franchise makes “perfect sense” but would need the salary cap and recruiting concessions they never received.
Terry Reader will bring the Redcliffe team from Brisbane’s northern corridor to Perth for an August double-header at Optus Stadium and hopes it becomes an annual trip against a Perth-based team in the future.
“There is a lot to like about Perth coming in given the time zone for TV but also the wonderful work that has gone on the ground there for many years,” Reader said.
A former marketing manager and head of commercial and strategy at the Brisbane Broncos, Reader has made several trips to Perth for matches against South Sydney.
We had successful corporate events and had a good look at the juniors and the first-grade competition and there is a wonderful stadium there in HBF Park,” he said.
“There is a hell of a lot to like about Perth and what it can bring to the game. It makes perfect sense. There has already been a team there (Western Reds) and there is a foundation in place... and if we want to grow the game it is an important part of doing so.”
However, Reader warned a Perth team would need assistance on and off the field, with the Dolphins left to do it all themselves.
“There was no funding, no concessions on our salary cap, it was like ‘You are on your own and we will see you when you start’,” he said. “They couldn’t do that with a WA team.”
The Dolphins beat two other Brisbane bids, the Firehawks and Jets, to the competition’s 17th licence last October, to become the league’s first expansion team in 14 years.
Tellingly, the Dolphins’ bid was put together in 100 days by Reader and his team, alongside Freshwater Strategy, the same consultants a WA Government working party and VenuesWest have engaged to lead the Perth push.
The CEO of NRL expansion team the Dolphins says a WA franchise makes ‘perfect sense’ but would need the salary cap and recruiting concessions they never received.
thewest.com.au