Dolphins a financial windfall to Cowboys

NORTH Queensland chief executive officer Jeff Reibel has welcomed the impending arrival of the Dolphins and suggested the expansion club could provide a financial boost for its rival up the highway.

Reibel said the Dolphins would provide an opportunity for the Cowboys to capitalise on a third annual Queensland derby.

While the Cowboys and Broncos XXXX Derby would remain the main event of the club’s calendar, the growth of the Cowboys rivalry with the Titans over the past decade proved there was a commercial opportunity available.

“Rugby league is part of the DNA in North Queensland and across the state, so there is no doubt to have another Queensland side in the NRL is a big positive in our opinion,” Reibel said.

“The original Queensland Derby is between us and the Broncos, and it has become one of, if not the, most

sought-after derby across the NRL in recent years.

“We now have the opportunity to create another rivalry with a Queensland team. It gives us another derby across the state. That in turn provides a chance that more people will want to watch that game, more bums on seats, and higher TV ratings.