Bennett backing Redcliffe to gain NRL licence

NRL master coach Wayne Bennett has broken his silence on expansion, declaring the code is ready for a 17th team and calling for Redcliffe to be promoted as the second Brisbane club in 2023.

As ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys prepares to ramp up expansion plans, Bennett insists Brisbane’s peninsula is tailor-made to help deliver a bonanza in the NRL’s next TV rights deal.

It is understood five consortia have already contacted the ARLC to flag their intention to submit formal bids, but Bennett (pictured) – a Brisbane Broncos and Queensland icon

– says there is one region crying out for an NRL licence.

“Redcliffe is the way to go. They have a readymade club for the NRL,” he said.

“Redcliffe are a very financial club, they have a huge junior base, they have a powerful state league club in the Dolphins and they have all the infrastructure.

“The northern corridor of Brisbane is just getting bigger and bigger – the fan base there would be sensational.

“Wherever the NRL goes in Brisbane, the brand has to be sellable to Queensland fans … they (Redcliffe) would be ready to go for the NRL in 2023.” Bennett said one more team for a 17-team comp could be managed but two teams was “a bridge too far”. “What I also like is that every NRL team gets a bye throughout the season with 17 teams. That gives players another week’s rest during the season. That’s a positive. “The other thing is, if we want more income to secure the code’s future, we need another team in Queensland … we need to maximise people watching … and a second Brisbane team will do that.”

Bennett, 70, would be sure to become a coaching target for a new Brisbane team.

A seven-time premiershipwinning coach, he is offcontract at Souths at the end of next year and will pass the baton to his assistant, Jason Demetriou, for 2022.

Asked if he would be keen to coach a Redcliffe team in 2023, Bennett chuckled and said: “No comment. Leave me out of that one.”