Dramatic twist in NRL’s expansion race

Two of the groups competing for the right to become the NRL’s 17th team have joined forces in an attempt to convince the ARL commission that they can become Brisbane’s second NRL side.

The Brisbane Bombers and the western corridor bid team have teamed up in the hope that the newly-named Brisbane Jets will win favour with the NRL, according to The Courier Mail.

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The merger reportedly wants supercoach Wayne Bennett to come on board and be the inaugural coach.

NRL: Peter V’landys still believes expansion is on the cards for the NRL after a tough season last year….

NRL: Peter V’landys still believes expansion is on the cards for the NRL after a tough season last year.

The fourth Queensland team is expected to enter the NRL in 2023, with a decision due later this year.

“From what I’ve seen and the presentations that have been given to me, they are well advanced. If I said 2022 they’d be ready. They’ve been doing work for years. There’s no reason why we can’t be up and running in 2023,” ARL chairman Peter V’landys told media this week.

After operating as separate entities, the Bombers and the western corridor outfit will now work together and beat the competition from the Brisbane Firewhawks and the Redcliffe Dolphins.

“We’ve agreed in principle to joining forces,” Bombers bid lead Nick Livermore said.

“The Bombers and Ipswich are moving together as one and this is the perfect model for the NRL’s 17th team.

“We’ve been in talks for about six months.

NRL: Brisbane Broncos young gun Tesi Niu is aiming to make an impact this season, targeting the centre position to make his own in 2021….

NRL: Brisbane Broncos young gun Tesi Niu is aiming to make an impact this season, targeting the centre position to make his own in 2021.

“There’s been a lot to work through but we’ve found common ground and if the ARL commission makes a call in June or July, we’re ready to go as Brisbane’s second team.

“If the ARL commission looks at all the metrics around growth, participation, sustainability, financial security and creating a genuine derby with the Broncos without cannibalising the current NRL market, it will take a special bid to overtake this.

“There is no other bid that will compete with the Brisbane Jets.”

Originally published asDramatic twist in NRL’s expansion race

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