Brisbane NRL bid team labelled arrogant by Central Queensland rival
- Steve Jancetic
- From: AAP
- February 23, 2011 5:55PM
- 1 comment
HITTING OUT: Chairman of the Central Queensland NRL bid team Geoff Murphy at a launch at the Old Customs House in Rockhampton. Picture: Murray Ware
Source: News Limited
THE man behind the bid for an NRL team in Central Queensland has hit out at the arrogant attitude of those pushing for a third side in southeast Queensland.
Speaking out days after the bid for a second Brisbane franchise was unveiled, CQ NRL bid chairman Geoff Murphy said the people of central Queensland deserved a "fair go" when and if the NRL expanded its competition.
The NRL has said it would visit the idea of expansion midway through this year, with any plans for further teams sure to play an important role in upcoming television negotiations.
Murphy claimed adding a third NRL side to a region, which also boasts two AFL sides, two A-League clubs, the Queensland Reds and the state cricket side would only dilute the NRL's supporter base.
"Our CQ team will be popular, viable, successful and will unite our region as nothing has done in the past," Murphy said in a statement on Wednesday.
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"The NRL will be the primary beneficiary as the NRL will be expanded, not diluted.
"I am appalled at the way some southern Queenslanders think that they have a monopoly and virtual sole rights to implement their own plans at the expense of regional Queenslanders."
The Rockhampton-based Central Queensland has been guaranteed a new stadium by the State Government should it gain entry to the national competition.
The CQ team has yet to submit its bid to the NRL, having been told by the governing body to have its submission ready to go by mid year.
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Gloves off in bid for NRL team
Phil Lutton
February 23, 2011 - 6:27PM
The uneasy truce between the rival Queensland NRL bids has come to an explosive end, with the chairman of the Central Queensland bid Geoff Murphy taking aim at the "arrogant and selfish" Brisbane consortium.
In a blistering statement this afternoon, Murphy has lashed out in no uncertain terms at the way the "Battle for Brisbane" has been conducted as Craig Davison's bid for a second NRL team in the Queensland capital gains momentum.
Murphy said he was disgusted at the push for another team in a metropolitan region at the expense of fans in the regional areas and the bush.
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"I am appalled at the way some southern Queenslanders think that they have a monopoly and virtual sole rights to implement their own plans at the expense of regional Queenslanders," Murhpy said.
"This stockpiling of resources, facilities and straight out living standards, does not even consider fellow Queenslanders who have been loyal to rugby league and who have contributed so much to the wealth and wellbeing of our state and nation for many decades.
"I am exasperated by this denial of natural justice and, as regional Queenslanders, we should be saying that we have had enough. We want a simple fair go."
Murphy said the southeast of the state was already stacked with sporting franchises and didn't need another NRL team to add to the cocktail.
"The southeast corner of Queensland already has two NRL clubs, two AFL clubs, two A-League clubs, a Super 15 club, the state cricket team and dozens of major second tier sporting clubs across all codes.
"They are all seeking the hearts and minds of the metro public market and scouring the corporate sector for sponsorship funding.
"I have heard that they (the Brisbane bid) argue that Suncorp (Stadium) is only half utilised. My simple research tells me that over the whole 2011 NRL season there will be 23 games of NRL, State of Origin, Super 15, or Bledisloe Cup games conducted at the stadium.
"This excludes finals for the Broncos and the Reds. Is this enough, I ask?"
He also said the argument that many fans in Brisbane didn't support the Broncos had no relevance in deciding on a new NRL licence.
"Another quite illogical argument that I have heard is that if an NRL fan in the southeast supports another NRL team other than Broncos or Titans, e.g. Parramatta, Bulldogs etc, the third NRL team will produce a second time that this fan can see his team.
"What about considering rugby league fans who never get to watch a live game because the closest game is in Townsville or Brisbane, an eight hour drive each way, with overnight and travel expenses on top of the game costs tickets, food and beverage etc?
"This is a ridiculous argument and again demonstrates the disregard that some Queenslanders have for their fellow Queenslanders."
The Brisbane bid team has set its sights high on coaches like Wayne Bennett and players like Sonny Bill Williams but Murphy labelled that type of behaviour as "unethical".
The CQ NRL Bid will not go around speculating on who is considered for our super coach, what players we may have on the rooster, which sponsor might be interested, which junior club could align with us.
"When we make an announcement we will have the deal done, sealed and delivered for the good of the game and the people involved. We have been very honest and transparent to date and we intend to maintain this integrity.
"The naming of people who may be involved and who have often not been consulted is another example of the lack of respect. I don't do it in business and I will not do it in the bid process. It is not ethical and often embarrasses the unsuspecting individual.
Murphy also questioned the support another NRL team in Brisbane could muster.
"So who will support this third team? Maybe only disgruntled Broncos or Titans fans. How is this growing the NRL market? It does not grow anything. It only weakens what we already have.
Davison refused to fire back at CQ, saying he was good friends with Murphy and the outburst simply showed how much passion was involved in the race for a new Queensland-based NRL team.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/gloves-off-in-bid-for-nrl-team-20110223-1b5at.html
