PNG-FNQ NRL IDEA STILL ALIVE: MAYOR
THE Dolphins have been given the nod to be the NRL’s first new team in 14 years, but Cairns mayor Bob Manning believes the Far North should play key role in a future NRL club.
The Dolphins were on Wednesday announced as the NRL’s 17th team, and will join the competition in 2023 with supercoach Wayne Bennett to lead the club in its first two years.
The idea for a Cairns-Papua New Guinea NRL team is not new, with a key piece what many believe to be critical infrastructure – the development of rectangular stadium – linked to a future successful bid.
And, while fully backing NRL boss Peter V’landys, Cr Manning still believes a Far North presence in the NRL is attainable.
“Whatever Peter V’landys says, I believe,” Cr Manning said.
“He’s a bloke who has his feet planted on the ground. He doesn’t cross his fingers and hope best.
“We’ve done a lot of work to now, and there will be discussion with both sides of government. It can only be done with the federal government.
“We’ve had a commitment to this for a few years.”
Cr Manning said this team would play out of PNG, but Cairns and FNQ could provide an important administrative and training base.
During this expansion debate, only three bids – the Dolphins, Firehawks and Jets – gained traction, while Perth, Central Queensland and a second New Zealand entity attracted more attention than anything from this region.
Cr Manning conceded he was yet to talk to the ARLC about the idea, which some in rugby league circles have privately said would never happen, but V’landys has already suggested an 18th team could arrive soon.
“If it goes well, we would look at an 18th team reasonably quickly,” V’landys said. “This expansionary move with the Dolphins will show us if adding extra teams gets us that growth that we desire.
“We are agile, we will always do what is in the best interests of the game and if there is an appetite to keep growing the game, we will look at that scenario.
“The bid teams who missed out this time should not be too disheartened. They could absolutely be considered next time.”
That has given the mayor confidence our region could be in with a good shot.
“V’landys is mindful that Queensland is rugby league heartland, doesn’t want to see Queensland give up any ground to the AFL,” he said.
“There’s eight million people in PNG. That’s more than any state, and it makes it a good, solid market. “It’s got to have substance. “We haven’t spoken to him but I’m sure Mr V’landys will look at it, and if it stacks up, who knows.
“We’d like to be next.”