The Brisbane Jets, Redcliffe Dolphins and Brisbane Firehawks will all pitch their Cases for the 17th NRL Franchise

Brisbane City

On Monday, three expansion hopefuls competing for an NRL licence will make their case. Redcliffe Dolphins boast a $100 million asset base while Brisbane Firehawks, supported by Easts group, also have considerable financial backing.

Livermore believes his consortium’s innovative model best protects rugby league’s core from competing codes.

The team

Brisbane is a captivating city offering everything from koala sanctuaries to boutique shopping. Additionally, Brisbane features iconic attractions like the Brisbane Riverwalk, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, South Bank Cultural District and Cape Moreton Lighthouse.

The consortium behind the new franchise are confident of convincing decision-makers at the NRL to grant them a licence, particularly with 2015 premiership coach Wayne Bennett as an attraction. He hails from Western Corridor and boasts an enviable record. Furthermore, their plans to grow the game west of Brisbane as well as ensure a reputable financial model that does not depend on poker machine revenue are attractive assets in convincing NRL decision-makers who favour clubs with multiple sources of income are compelling arguments on their side.

The name

The Brisbane Jets are an upcoming soccer club in Queensland that are just getting established. Their aim is to compete in the A-League, and attract top talent. Furthermore, they hope to build up a large supporter base similar to what Roar Corps currently boasts as an active supporters group for Brisbane’s W-League side.

Mr Livermore says their bid has been “really upfront” with Wayne Bennett, hoping he will return as coach of Brisbane team if successful. In addition, feeder relationships should also be established with Intrust Super Cup clubs located outside Brisbane region.

The logo

Military-inspired logos can often be hard to screw up. Yet this one falls flat when compared with previous designs; its white wordmarks on polar night blue background look dull in comparison and lack any of the signature design features that made past crests so effective.

The new name and logo honor Brisbane’s aviation legacy while uniting Brisbane’s western corridor with Ipswich Bombers’ Queensland Cup footprint – a massive rugby league heartland stretching across Ipswich, Logan, and Toowoomba regions.

Livermore remains confident despite competing against established clubs with fortified catchments and abundant finances, noting his greatest strengths as being support from private investment and local businesses; also being able to form feeder relationships with Intrust Super Cup clubs located far from Brisbane.

The colours

Brisbane Jets FC have taken steps to distinguish themselves from Newtown Jets by opting for green military colors in their jerseys, although this could prove controversial given Australia’s current fire crisis.

The group behind this bid hopes to attract an elite level club that would compete in the Queensland Cup and draw from Ipswich-West Brisbane area, which is projected to experience significant population growth over time, as well as Logan and Toowoomba regions.

North Ipswich Reserve would also be expanded into a 20,000-seat stadium and established as a centre of excellence, costing $220 million altogether; currently it can hold only 10,000 spectators.

The stadium

While Redcliffe Dolphins and Brisbane Firehawks vie for Brisbane’s second NRL franchise, the Jets remain confident they will emerge victorious. Boasting lucrative commercial backing as well as an in-depth knowledge of their catchments area and master coach Wayne Bennett as an advantage, their confidence cannot be overlooked.

The City Council of Brisbane has agreed to fund a new stadium at North Ipswich Reserve that could seat 12,000 spectators, close to public transport and Langlands Memorial Pool – home of Brisbane Jets Swimming Club which hosts two swim meets per week and competes at local, state, and national competitions.

A bid has successfully secured $40 million from three levels of government to upgrade North Ipswich Reserve and establish a center of excellence, boasting multiple millionaire benefactors as well as Newtown life member John Singleton as co-owner.