The NRL will go ahead with a 17th team in 2023 after a $50 million surplus and future broadcast deal boosts reported to club chiefs in a crucial meeting on Thursday.
While there was no official call made, club bosses left the Zoom conference under no doubt a new side will be added and announced by the end of the month to ensure the winning bid can pursue recruitment targets from November 1.
There was also no deal reached on further assistance to clubs, who expect a boost despite there being an extra slice in the pie.
It’s understood club bosses were told the NRL is close to securing a new free-to-air deal with the Nine Network, while Foxtel has also agreed to a five-year, $100 million deal to fund an expanded competition.
AAP understands Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chief Peter V’landys addressed the meeting as if expansion was a formality and there was little resistance from club land.
The well-established Redcliffe Dolphins are in the box seat to win what has become a three-horse race with the Brisbane Easts-backed Firehawks and the Brisbane Jets.
Home games will be played out of Suncorp Stadium, offering the Brisbane Broncos a cross-town rival and Queensland a fourth club.
The move would be the NRL’s biggest since the Gold Coast Titans were introduced in 2007.
The expansion’s assessment committee will now meet once more to determine which club gets their tick of approval, before it is officially endorsed by the ARLC.
Michael Carbone
Guest
Cmon Guys stop arguing! I appreciate all the support. Big T and I are chuffed with all the support you blokes give us. Let's get this sport big than AFL around the world without us arguing amongst each other
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yeah, I will be I will be the same, hoping Redcliffe reps the BRL in a big way and it is finally something that has been rectified "IF" they get the nod. Still will be backing the Broncs in he derbies
Rellum
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing: just cause :laughing: :laughing: . May I remind you we live in an economy which demands you grow or die. Sydney is stopping that growth because you think you are more important than you actually are
Jeff Cook
Roar Rookie
May I remind you the core of the NRL is a metamorphism of the old Sydney comp. Yes, I believe there should be a form of expansion, but not at the determent of history. Just cause ....
Rellum
Roar Guru
Great antidote btw to one of the worst Shield games ever played.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I was hoping for a Wynnum win, no luck this year in GF's. The Qcup is trending on twitter, good day for the old comp
matth
Roar Guru
What a cracking grand final that was. Well done the Devils. Been a long time between drinks. They held on and held on.
matth
Roar Guru
I’ll probably have two teams and will only be conflicted for the derbies. Can’t just drop the Broncos after 30 years of support
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Great Jimmmy, I'll hold you to that.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
If he has actually done those things, my scepticism is clearly baseless.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well done . I think that's fantastic. If your club ever produces a Storm player I will wear purple and cheer for Melbourne at his debut. Now that's an incentive for ya.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Hi Jimmmy, we are on the same page, after all. I totally agree - juniors are our future. My local club is small & most have never heard of if. In the belief that it will grow &, one day soon, produce a Storm player, I do what I can to support it.
Rellum
Roar Guru
The question is would you take a relocated Sydney team or does it need to be a new identity?
Rellum
Roar Guru
I would have thought the other comments below my first might have given you a clue, anyway. I will pair it down to the most simplistic base comments as possible next time for you.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Absolutely apply it to all the clubs. That's only fair. As I said also make it a slowly increasing target not an all at once thing. I am not against expansion to non league areas at all. But expansion without juniors is a road to a poor quality comp.
davoooo
Guest
Good to see you recognized where I got that from mate :laughing:
Dave
Guest
Being factious in text works about as well as the Bulldogs attack this year Do better if you’re going to try act smart
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
That 50m includes 2 origin series (20 and 21) as well, not sure how much difference that makes :thumbup:
GoGWS
Roar Guru
The NRL will only unlock the full benefits of expansion when it adds an 18th team so it can get an extra game per round. I did see something about have more games but this is due to extending the season - you can get more games by doing that without adding a 17th team. Overall it’s a good strategy to consolidate Brisbane by placing another team there but a more ambitious plan could have also set out a longer term for an 18th team. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out and whether they will be pressure for an 18th team at the next renewal of the broadcast deal, or even consolidation back to 16 teams. I don’t think 17 teams makes sense in the long run.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
How many people you know in the game that sponsor 3 international teams, supply uniforms for referees, give emerging nations footballs and drums up support for new competitions or international teams while exposing them to an international audience?