Cronulla captain Paul Gallen has warned the NRL relocating a Sydney team to Brisbane is doomed to fail.
The NRL is due to deliver a report into the viability of adding a 17th or 18th franchise at the end of the year, with a second Brisbane team in the mix.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has said the competition is seeking greater power to move troubled clubs away from the Sydney market, with the Sharks, Manly and Wests Tigers believed to be in the crosshairs.
Gallen said that, if the NRL wants a second Brisbane team, it must be a locally grown product and not a relocated club.
“Let’s think about the teams in trouble at the moment – Manly, Cronulla are probably the top two and then Wests Tigers – how could you possibly relocate one of them two teams, three teams, to Brisbane and expect the Brisbane people to buy-in and follow them?,” Gallen told Nine’s Sports Sunday.
“Unless it’s from the ground up in Brisbane, it will not work.”
Gallen’s comments echo those of Ipswich-based Western Corridor NRL bid chairman Steve Johnson.
While Western Australia’s rugby league boss John Sackson said Perth would welcome a relocated team, Johnson was unsure how Queensland fans would respond.
“If you relocate another team will the fans buy into it? I think it is doubtful,” Johnson told AAP this week.
“No team is sustainable without fans going to games.”
Gallen said he was more in favour of taking more games to places like Brisbane and Perth to promote rugby league than expansion or relocation.
“Make every team take a home game to a country town… let’s expand the game that way,” the veteran forward said.
Good old days
Guest
The nswrl did put two Brisbane teams in, Crushers anyone, one of the main reasons the players went south was for the big money on offer in Sydney, the Bronco's bought Sydney type salaries to QLD.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I reckon Queensland fans might support a relocated Sydney team now just to spite Gallen...
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Paul C, After watching the tigers jump into first place yesterday with a masterclass performance I was too excited to reply, until now. Trouble is I can't say it much better than Emcie.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
He is right.
Sam
Guest
You do, that's why you clicked on the story to find out what he had to say
Sammy
Guest
In 1988 the NSWRL should have admitted two Brisbane teams rather than a Brisbane and Gold Coast team. Imagine 30 years of local derbies in Brisbane rather than the Broncos being synonymous with the Queensland SOO team. I’d be happy to see the Redcliffe Dolphins promoted to the NRL as a North Brisbane / Sunshine Coast team, while the Broncos can refocus on South & Inner Brisbane, Redlands and Ipswich. The Gold Coast are privately owned So they can easily be restructured as a joint NSW and Qld team representing the NSW Northern Rivers (Ballina to Tweed Heads) and the Gold Coast (Coolangatta to Southport).
Emcie
Roar Guru
The Broncos weren't the cause of the BRL's issues, but their establishment was the nail in the coffin
PaulC
Roar Rookie
Birdy, Why would you blame the Broncos for the BRL problem of 1988? Look back to 1987 or maybe a year earlier, the Sydney Clubs were circling to sign up nearly every Brisbane/Qld player possible (Manly were going to sign Wally Lewis & Gene Miles). The QRL were not in favour of entering a Brisbane based Club in the NSW (Sydney) competition but were forced into it. The Gold Coast were never in the equation as they played out of the Sea Gulls Ground just over the Border. Brothers, 1987 Premiership winners lost 12 of their run on side to the NSW competition. Only one Brothers player signed with the Broncos & the other 11 went mostly to St. George 7 North Sydney. I could keep writing but please don't put the blame on the Broncos for the demise of the BRL competition, blame where it should be, the greedy NSW (Sydney Clubs). I would have loved to have seen Valleys, Brothers & Wests still playing in the old BRL competition but the QRL Intrust competition is great as it covers from the Tweed to Cairns & includes the remaining/surviving old BRL Clubs.
Dayer
Roar Rookie
who listens to gallen?
Birdy
Roar Rookie
I agree with Gallon. The Brisbane comp was totally destroyed by the Broncos.Theyre back on track now with the state league ,but no way they would follow ,as they would see it, follow a failed Sydney club. The press would murder it for a start while the public would justifiably ask ,why not bring back Valleys or Brothers?. Bring on western corridor . And while I'm at it, Perth and NZ 2 are a must meaning only 1 Sydney club would have to fold or relocate to Perth who by the way said they would take a relocated Sydney club. So come on Beattie, stop writing your 2022 apology about how you stuffed up and bring out the cheque book to relocate a club now.