THE Ipswich consortium attempting to become the third NRL franchise in southeast Queensland is expected to appoint former Sydney Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan to oversee its bid.
The Australian understands Canavan met Ipswich officials on Thursday and agreed to take a consultancy role with the bid team, which is vying to join an expanded NRL competition as early as 2013.
Although he has no official capacity in the game, Canavan remains one of its most respected officials. He was recently responsible for the overhaul of the NSW State of Origin set-up that led to the sacking of selectors and the appointment of Ricky Stuart as the first full-time coach.
But convincing NRL officials to include Ipswich in an expanded competition could be his greatest challenge, given that most of the clubs are yet to give full support to expansion.
While Central Coast and Perth are believed to be the leading candidates should the NRL decide to expand, there is support for another team in southeast Queensland because the area has only two clubs, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Some clubs believe a Central Coast outfit would erode Manly and Newcastle, strengthening the claims for another team in southeast Queensland.
The Ipswich consortium, which has held preliminary talks with the Queensland government about playing games out of Suncorp Stadium, is expected late next month to receive the results of a feasibility study into the bid to set up the new club. Provided the study offers positive feedback, Ipswich will have an official bid tabled to the NRL early next year.
Consortium head Steve Johnson yesterday implored the NRL to act before the area was lost to the cashed-up AFL.
"We've got the fastest-growing area in Australia," Johnson said of the corridor from Ipswich to the Gold Coast.
"The AFL has already shown its hand by going into western Sydney, which is rugby league heartland. If the AFL comes in here first, they're going to snaffle the corporate dollar.
"If we come in second, we're going to be coming from behind. The difficult thing is if we put a side in central Queensland but not the Ipswich-Logan corridor, the corridor may not get that chance again.
"In the fullness of time I would love to see a team in central Queensland. Queensland deserves five teams. The real risk is if you don't put a team in this corridor now, the chance may be lost forever."
Ipswich officials have held informal talks with prospective players and coaches should they receive the thumbs-up from the NRL to go ahead.
Brisbane and Australian forward Sam Thaiday has emerged as one potential target, given his profile and ability.
Coaches could prove more problematic, because officials are likely to seek someone to work with the club before it enters the competition.
Former Melbourne assistant Michael Maguire, who led Wigan to last year's Super League title, is widely regarded as the next great NRL coach.
