STORM SET FOR TURF WAR WITH REDCLIFFE
AN expansion turf war is brewing after the Melbourne Storm declared they wouldn’t surrender the fertile Sunshine Coast region to NRL hopefuls Redcliffe.
The Dolphins NRL bid team has identified the Sunshine Coast as a major development area they will target if awarded the NRL’S 17th licence from 2023 or 24.
The expansion race heated up this week after the three bid teams – the Jets, Firehawks and Dolphins – formally presented their cases to the NRL.
While the Jets and Firehawks have identified Brisbane’s southwest corridor as a major growth hotspot, the Redcliffe-based Dolphins want to target areas north of the CBD.
But that has put them on a collision course with the Storm, who have held a feeder club arrangement with the Intrust Super Cup’s Sunshine Coast Falcons since 2015 and call the region their “home away from home”.
The Storm have laid foundations on the Sunshine Coast and football chief Frank Ponissi said they wouldn’t vacate the region if Redcliffe wanted to move in.
“It doesn’t change our plans if Redcliffe is in it or not,” he said.
“If they invest in the area, that’s great for rugby league. We’re all for it. We’re not for a moment saying the Sunshine Coast belongs to Melbourne Storm only.
“We’ve got a relationship with the
Falcons and it’s as strong as it’s ever been. It won’t change if Redcliffe comes in.
“Just because Redcliffe views it as their catchment area, we don’t see it being time to pack up our tent and move.
“That won’t be happening. Not a chance in the world. We are there for the long haul.
“We’ve got a great relationship with the Falcons and also the Brisbane Tigers which benefits all parties.”
The Falcons have helped the Storm develop the likes of Nicho Hynes, Justin Olam and Chris Lewis into genuine NRL players.
The Storm’s recruitment department is based at Sunshine Coast Stadium and the club has vowed to bring its NRL team to the region every year for training and promotional activities.
Due to Covid, Melbourne spent most of last season based at Twin Waters and went on to win a memorable NRL premiership.
They are currently at Noosa for the remainder of the 2021 season and also own the Sunshine Coast Lightning Super Netball franchise.
Falcons chairman Ashley Robinson said that the Sunshine Coast had been ignored by the Brisbane Broncos and Redcliffe until the Storm struck up a relationship.
“Sunshine Coast Rugby League can make their own mind up, but the Falcons have signed another threeyear deal with Storm and we are very happy with them,” Robinson said.