BENNETT’S BLOW-UP
FORGET CLUBS’ SELF-INTERESTS, STICK WITH EXPANSION
A FIRED-UP Wayne Bennett has urged Peter V’landys not to bow to “vested interests” from existing NRL clubs and push forward with plans to launch a second Brisbane team in 2023.
Speaking ahead of South Sydney’s clash against the Gold Coast on Saturday, the soon to be off contract coach took aim at clubs who he said were only looking after their own backyards by arguing the Covid pandemic should put expansion on the backburner for now.
And he was adamant it would be a mistake not to try and use the recent announcement that Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympic Games as a springboard to grow rugby league.
“I think it is even more important now that we expand and we expand quickly, in the next two years,” Bennett warned.
“You have got no idea of the growth areas in places like Springfield, going down towards Toowoomba, Ipswich and beyond.
“It is a huge growth area. Incredible.
“And it is going to be double what it is now in 10 years’ time.”
It comes after ARLC chairman V’landys revealed in recent days that the three bidding teams – the Firehawks, Jets and Dolphins – would be interviewed in the coming weeks.
But while broadcasters are keen on exploring the option to bring in a new Brisbane team to coincide with the next TV contract, even Bennett’s own chief executive at South Sydney, Blake Solly, is among those who has had his say on why the NRL should shelve expansion plans at this point.
Solly was quoted on Friday saying it was “extremely surprising” that the NRL was again talking about expansion given there has been no significant improvement to the Covid situation across most of the nation.
But Bennett, who has made no secret of the fact he will be moving back to Brisbane at the end of the year and wants to continue coaching, said: “If we listen to the other clubs we never would have had expansion.
“We certainly would never have had State of Origin. We probably wouldn’t have Test football.
“There is always the vested interests party out there and that’s the other clubs.
“At the moment they are having a tough time because they have lost a fair bit of revenue.
“So they like to think there is more revenue coming their way if there is less teams.
“But I think Melbourne was the last expansion team (in 1998).
“Anyone who runs a successful business will tell you that you either get bigger or stronger, or you try to sit at the same level and you won’t improve and you won’t get better.
“The NRL has to embrace change and obviously that is what they are thinking about doing in terms of another team.”
Bennett also took another swipe at those suggesting there is not enough player talent to support another NRL team.
“I don’t have concerns about the player talent because I know the player talent,” he said.
“And I know what is out there and I know what is under performing and I know what guys are not getting opportunities.
“And the good clubs help players develop their talent.
“I said some months ago now clubs are a major part of the problem.’’