The Jets seem confident and previous media indicates that Gallop is keen. But to be fair by the time expansion is on the table, it will be the IC's decision (we hope).
Honestly can't see Perth missing out. No juniors and small crowds are easily substituted with bigger TV $$$$$$'s. Perth would bring in far more of that than either of the other bids.
So it comes down to CC and Ipswich. CC are more prepared and in some ways deserve the chance due to their years of hard work. But that's probably not what the decision should be based on. The decision needs to be strategic, not sentimental.
What Ipswich has that CC doesn't is the potential to attract more Qld eyes to more TV games. I read earlier this year, that NRL games involving Qld teams rate highly right across Qld, but other games rate quite poorly. So in other words people in Brisbane would rather watch Cowboys v Raiders, than Dragons v Roosters. That's why channel 9 persist with the 2nd Friday game, because no matter what Queensland team they put on, it rates higher in Queensland than any of the Non-Queensland games.
So Ipswich add another Queensland game on TV. So while CC might have them pipped for fan interest and population. Ipswich may have them for general TV viewership.
I don't know who'll get the extra spot, but at the moment TV $$$$ is what talks loudest.
