Second Brisbane NRL team ‘inevitable’

Bombers bid chairman Craig Davison believes a second Brisbane NRL team is inevitable despite Broncos CEO Paul White’s damning view on expansion.

Brisbane Bombers boss Davison is unfazed after White dismissed the notion that NRL CEO Dave Smith’s resignation could fast track expansion in Queensland.

The north Brisbane-based Bombers, Ipswich’s Western Corridor bid and a Redcliffe consortium are considered favourites to snap up the next expansion berth.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman John Grant last month vowed to select the next expansion team from south-east Queensland.

He said there were provisions for a 17th team from Brisbane in their 2018-22 free to air TV deal.

But White claimed expansion wasn’t happening any time soon.

“Fourteen of our sides are currently not solvent,” he said this week.

“Can we afford to have two more teams in at the moment – I can say categorically ‘no’.”

But Davison told AAP: “That’s his opinion, and what do you expect a Brisbane CEO would say about another team coming into his market?

“He’s doing something a CEO is expected to do – protecting his turf.”

Davison said they hoped to receive an expansion update after NRL head of strategy Shane Richardson reveals his blueprint for the future later this year.

However, he believed a second Brisbane team was just a matter of time.

“The argument of ‘if another Brisbane team enters the competition’ has passed – now it’s a matter of ‘when’.

“I have no doubt there will be another team in Brisbane.”

Davison admitted it may take another three years before another expansion team is sighted.

“We are looking forward to at some stage receiving from the NRL a process, it might be two or three years away but we are in no hurry,” he said.

“We know the Brisbane market is solid and strong and do look forward to competing in that market place at some time.

“The reality is Brisbane does need a team, and I have no doubt it will get one eventually.

“It’s the best backyard in rugby league.”

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