Brisbane not a good idea

Connecting with fans the key to NRL expansion

THE NRL Nines were the nail in the NRL Perth expansion idea – apparently.

I say apparently because it’s all rumour and speculation at this stage and let’s be honest I don’t think the NRL knows what its expansion plans are anyway.

If you want to believe the rumours though, Perth’s hopes are dead in the water due to low crowd numbers at the preseason tournament.

And with Perth’s apparent demise, comes the inevitable “Brisbane deserves a second

NRL team” discussion.

From what I have gathered, supporters of the second Brisbane NRL bid fall into three pretty distinct groups. There are the “Bombers”. The supporters of this concept want to see a completely new team created in Brisbane.

If I were naming a new Brisbane team I’d be in favour of something a little more exotic, something more in line with our tropical state.

I’d lean towards the Banana Slugs but that’s only because I think the University of California

Santa Cruz mascot is one of the coolest around.

Then there are the Far North Sydney Bears fans.

I don’t think there are any actual North Sydney Bears supporters in this group but it’s a popular talking point anytime expansion is discussed.

And finally there are the Cup Kings – supporters of the NRL developing an Intrust Cup team to a point where they can be competitive.

All three concepts have their merits but they also have one major flaw.

All three concepts fail to acknowledge the hearts and minds of real sports fans.

Sport fans are passionate, proud and committed.

You follow your team through thick and thin and that’s why I’m not convinced a second team would work.

Unless there’s a secret society of Broncos-hating league fans out there I don’t see them getting backsides on seats.

If you’re a league fan in Brisbane or south east Queensland you already have a club you’re committed to.

A second club, in any form, would only draw casual fans away from the already established clubs.

In short, a new club will not create new fans.

The only exceptions I can think of are Greater Western Sydney and Western Sydney Wanderers.

In both cases, research suggested there was a fan base that refused to support the established clubs.

I haven’t got the answer to NRL expansion but I’m certain it’s not Brisbane.