Redcliffe Dolphins set to be named NRL's newest club

But they have to drop the name Redcliffe? Why? To broaden appeal? But doesn’t everyone already know that the team is from Redcliffe? So following the NRL logic in this decision, it would appear that they’d prefer to do away with all locations for all teams allowing them to be relocated at will.

They haven’t announced a name and are opening it to their members. I’ve heard Moreton and Sunshine State bandied around. I crossed the River! Left Redcliffe for Cannon Hill, Wally Lewis territory. I picked my daughter up from East Leagues club just the other day. Now we are in the work really begins and I’m hoping nobody thinks it will be easy.

I'm into stats as well, but I haven't quoted any stats in my comments above, because I couldn't think of any/don't have any that may be genuinely relevant. The Reds were a long time ago, and as per my comments I think the ARL made a token attempt at best, and/or had absolutely zero idea of how to grow a sport in a new market. Participation numbers are a fair method of evaluating the sports current position, but I'm not sure they're particularly useful in this scenario. They may be (I don't know). I think if they're going to be relevant they should probably be compared to AFL participation rates in NSW a few years before the Swans, and same re the first Brisbane team. But bottomline, I think where we are agreeing is the NRL would have to promote/invest in WA in order to make it work. That's not to say by propping a potential WA club (I doubt they would need to any more for them than they do for any other club). The NRL would need to invest in grass roots WA footy, marketing the sport etc. Follow the AFL model with NSW.

WA will not work if you look at the participation numbers, no state outside NSW & QLD has 10K people participating in Rugby League. Whereas as you mentioned AFL in QLD, there are over 50K participants 15+ in age alone. The NRL has been very strong on the financials of any team. They need to be able to support themselves, not rely on the NRL. Compare that to the AFL who will back a team financially for however long, that's why they have expanded into NSW and QLD. They trust their product and it will be successful financially in the long run. The NRL won't take the risk, especially with different ownership models to the AFL

Look at the participation numbers below that I mentioned. If no other state has even 10K participants, why would they take the risk when the NRL has been very strong about a team being able to support itself, whereas the AFL is willing to spend the money over a long period of time. Two totally different approaches. Maybe that means the NRL is more cautious, but it has a different ownership model as well that probably contributes to the reluctance as well.

It would be handy to actually back that up as it has failed in WA before (& SA). NZ would be a better option. And I readily love the stats and where they come from (from a Dad who loves Maths & Science). I try to stay away from the NRL and AFL pages and prefer places like the Clearing House for Sport (clearinghouseforsport.gov.au) which is a Government website. They produce the Ausplay data and it is broken down into U15 and 15+ age groups. It doesn't back up your claim either. For 15yo and older, it has Aussie Rules participation in QLD as 53K and Rugby League participation in WA as just under 8K. Outside NSW and QLD, the ARL have failed to grow the game, as no other state has less than 10K participants. The overall figures are 3 Aussie Rules to 1 Rugby League. Both are dwarfed by Soccer and Basketball in the participation figures. That makes you wonder why they aren't the two dominant sports in this country. Maybe that will change, but not anytime soon. The NRL does very well, but it just may not really expand outside QLD and NSW.

Completely agree an established geographic location is important. It’s why I find it unfortunate that the first slither of information reported since the announcement is that the team will be known as ‘The Dolphins’. I hope that’s not right, and/or some push back results in a re-think. But in my opinion; this is a biproduct of the Dolphins being entrenched in their local community which happens to be a small peninsular on the outskirts of Brisbane. It’s served them so well at the state level and seen them become an institution in their local area, but I don’t think it’s a comfortable fit for the level above. As for your question; my guess would be that it’s fairly consistent across the city. I’ve always thought Ippie was a Bronco-stronghold (if there is such a thing in greater Brisbane) despite the Jets being such a big brand out there. That’s only derived from the massive crowd of sardines packing the Ipswich platform at Milton station after a Broncos game, but may be that worked against the Jets bid. It’s funny; my old high school is towards the centre of town so there was a mix of south and north-siders in my group of mates. Of those that remained in Brisbane after moving out of home, I don’t think one of them crossed the river. That brown snake provides such a great barrier (despite there now being a squillion bridges across it) and although the Broncos represent all of Brisbane and not just one side of it, I think it could have offered a good starting point for a rivalry that I believe would have built to become something really special for rugby league and the city over time. Anyway, the Dolphins are in! Congratulations and it’s an exciting time for the game. I’m a little dismayed by the first announcement but look forward to seeing what they do with the colours and can’t wait to see what names start to fill up the roster.

Are you happy or hitch-hiking? Or are you the legendary Happy Hitch-hiker? I rented that video, nooooot what I was expecting ... :silly:

I'm not sure where a rivalry in Australia of two teams that both cover the same city exists. Adelaide v Port Adelaide, West Coast v Fremantle, Sydney Swan v whatever the West Sydney AFL team is called. Even in Sydney they have geographical areas, there is no Sydney vs Sydney, where the only identify is that fans choose one or the other. So I'm thinking a rivalry with some geographical basis has to be there. Next question would be, where are the Broncos strongest, north or south of the river? I agree the river divide is a real thing. When we were growing up, my parents took a packed lunch to venture south of the river to visit relatives.

Any word on the jersey? Hope they stick with that red, I need a cap that colour :silly:

As I posted above, this long-time Broncos follower will be adopting the Dolphins as my second team. Also reckon my daughter is more likely to adopt a team called 'dolphions' :happy:

Hi there. I don’t think the NRL ever had a Perth team in The comp.

I think it's fair to say that's relatively ancient history. Not saying a Perth team would work, but I don't think that's evidence that it can't.

The conspiracy theory is some of the money backing the Redcliffe bid is linked to people with ties to the Broncos. Conspiracy theory, but anything more?

As a long-time Bris-o, I don’t agree with much of that demographics assessment. . Redcliffe is 30 min from my inner-north Brisbane home, and I have fond memories of the Dolphins in the old BRL of the 70s. They’ll be my second team, I’ll most likely go to the odd game.

Fight of the fins!! Nice

Cheers, yes I have just heard (checking phone while working) exciting times ahead. Bring on the fight of the fins! have a good one.

Thanks KCR. Appreciate that comment and the exchange of viewpoints with yourself, Matt etc. No doubt you’ve heard that it’s official since your comment and I wish them nothing but the best. As said a few times, they’re not my first choice but I don’t doubt they’ll be a success. Very exciting times for the league. Look forward to see what name they roll out and apparently they’re giving their colours a fresh lick of paint too which will be interesting. As a Sharks fan- I’ll look forward to the first ‘Fight of the Fish’!

They had an NRL team in Perth before and it didn't get much interest outside of the hardcore crowd.

Cheers Rob9, well said. I respect your opinion in expansion and have enjoyed reading your posts even though your views differ from my own. If nothing else this public bidding process has shown that there are a lot of passionate RL people with a range of different views on the topic and it is great to see. It has also forced the bids to address their limitations prior to getting in to the NRL. Pretty excited to see who does finally get announced, heard on the radio that V'landys will make an announcement today. Cheers