Brisbane Tigers Chairman Shane Edwards declares the club is “ready to be the 18th franchise in the NRL”

Ambitious Brisbane Tigers chairman Shane Edwards has stated that the club is ready to be the NRL’s newest franchise, and if given the green light, will look to emulate Wayne Bennett’s impressive start with the Dolphins.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Saturday, Edwards pointed to the Tigers’ new $10m stadium south of Brisbane’s CBD, a high-performance hub and a healthy financial position.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys is understood to be looking to add an NRL No. 18 team from 2027 as part of a new TV rights deal, and the Tigers envision their chances ahead of other bidders, including a second team from New Zealand, a Pasifika. team, as well as a presence in Perth and the return of the North Sydney Bears.

The Tigers lost to the Dolphins in 2021 when it came to getting an NRL license, but Edwards doesn’t think the lightning will strike twice.

“We strongly believe we’re ready now, but we’ll listen to what the NRL has to say, it’s in their hands,” Edwards said.

A new $10m stadium south of Brisbane’s CBD, a high-performance hub and financial backing have the Brisbane Tigers poised to launch another bid for an NRL license (Edwards shown left, with CEO Brian Torpy)

Former Tigers players include current NRL stars Cameron Munster, Cody Walker and Felise Kaufusi (all pictured from left to right)

Former NRL top-ranked manager John Lang won three titles with the Tigers in his playing days.

‘We are completely focused on an independent offering… our focus is the area in Greater Brisbane, on the south side of the river.

‘There are 600,000 more people living on the South Side and both the Broncos and Dolphins are based on the North Side.

‘He [Gold Coast] The Titans are also 70km down the road, so we have a huge population right around the corner…there’s a clear gap in the market that we can take advantage of.”

Edwards added that three of the fastest growing towns in the next 10 years in Queensland are forecast to be Logan, Ipswich and the Gold Coast.

“If you look at the south-west corridor that incorporates Logan into Ipswich, there are another 275,000 people, so the population will be around a million in that region alone,” he said.

‘We have an opportunity to build an instant local following, and we’ll definitely build on the community. ‘Us [Tigers] we are celebrating 90 years in 2023 but we want to go to the next level and be a full time professional NRL club.

Edwards then addressed the large game-day attendance at Suncorp Stadium so far this season in the NRL, at the Magic Round, as well as at Broncos and Dolphins home games.

“However, this year there are nine weekends where there are no games at Suncorp Stadium…another team from Brisbane would change that,” he said.

Broncos great Steve Renouf also enjoyed a stint with the Tigers in the twilight of his career.

NRL ‘super coach’ Wayne Bennett has worked his magic early on the Dolphins in his first season in the NRL, and it has not gone unnoticed by key Tigers figures.

While premierships have eluded the Tigers in recent years, they were a force in their heyday (club legend Des Morris pictured)

“Awarding us with a license would also give the NRL the opportunity to grow the game further.”

Edwards, who worked at the Broncos from its inception in 1988 until 2002 in marketing and as the club’s managing director, hasn’t been surprised that the Dolphins have begun working with Bennett in charge.

“I’ve worked closely with Wayne, he’s an exceptional motivator,” he said.

“The players, staff and fans have sold on what the Dolphins are all about…we’re thrilled at how well they’re doing and, given the chance, we’ll look to forge a similar path on and off the field.” .

Broncos manager Kevin Walters welcomes the competition that another Brisbane team would offer at NRL level.

‘I’m sure we could accommodate ten teams here in Queensland. People love their football so much,’ he said.

‘They have shown it with the arrival of the Dolphins. If another team arrives, bring it, let’s go’.