LOCKYER KEEN ON 17

Broncos great backs second Brisbane team

THE Queensland Government has turned up the heat on the NRL to expand in 2022 as Broncos legend Darren Lockyer backed plans for a second team in Brisbane.

Reports indicate the NRL could expand the competition to 17 teams as early as 2022 and the Queensland Government has put out the welcome mat for a new Brisbane franchise to join the Broncos.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys is investigating whether the game can afford expansion and, if so, will consider adding a second Brisbane team 12 months ahead of the proposed 2023 target date.

The NRL could seek tenders for expansion at the end of this season.

Lockyer, the Broncos’ mostcapped player with 355 appearances, is adamant the southeast Queensland market is ready for another team on the proviso the existing 16 clubs are viable.

“As long as the Sydney clubs are secure financially, I’m all for another team in Brisbane,” Lockyer said.

“What this coronavirus pandemic has done is pull the whole game apart and made us look at bringing it back together in a more streamlined fashion.

“For me, the key is revenue. If a 17th team won’t give us another game in the broadcast deal, how does it bring more value to the code?

“I’m supportive of expansion but it’s important we make sure everything is rock solid first before we bring in a second Brisbane team.”

Queensland tourism minister Kate Jones says the Sunshine State has the supporter base and infrastructure to ensure a second Brisbane team can compete with the Broncos.

“The more games played here and not Sydney, the better,” she said.

Before the coronavirus pandemic halted the competition after the opening two rounds, prospective franchises were hoping to receive some clarity about the expansion plans from the NRL in July.

V’landys is now unlikely to entertain a tender process until the 2020 season is completed.

“There’s more pressing matters at the moment obviously, so I won’t be looking at this (expansion) until the end of the year,” he said.

“We still believe a second team is needed in Brisbane but we have to do it responsibly.

“The numbers have to stack up.”