Smith and Slater criticise expansion plan
MAROONS State of Origin legends Cameron Smith and Billy Slater have shot down the push for a second Brisbane team, fearing an expanded 17team league could weaken the NRL competition.
Despite their allegiance to the Sunshine State as proud Queenslanders, Smith and Slater issued a chilling warning to ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys in his quest to grow the code and deliver a broadcasting bonanza.
Although pivotal figures in the NRL’s successful expansion into AFL heartland Melbourne, Storm icons Smith and Slater believe a second Brisbane
team to challenge the Broncos in 2023 could have a negative impact on the code.
Smith said Brisbane must be the next cab off the rank for an NRL team, but queried whether the code had the depth of talent to cover 17 clubs.
“I don’t know if it’s the right time for expansion,” he said.
“There are definitely pros for another team, but is there enough talent ... and would they be competitive?
“The last thing you want to do is introduce a new franchise and not have enough good players to go around ... or good players from several clubs go to that new team and it diminishes the whole competition.”
Should broadcasters Fox and Channel 9 opt to bankroll V’landys’ vision for 17 teams, the new franchise would have to source 36 additional players.
Slater said the ARLC must balance the demands of injecting a new Brisbane club with the talent levels required to bolster a 17-team competition.
“Brisbane is crying out for another team and they certainly have the capacity ... but have we got enough development around the players to divide another 30 players into a full-time squad?” he said. “We need to improve in that area.”