The NRL is reportedly set to begin the selection process for a 17th team, with prospective bid teams preparing to meet with Peter V'landys and Andrew Abdo over the next month.
V'landys has made it clear that NRL expansion in the heartland of rugby league was firmly on the agenda in 2021.
This has seen the likes of the Brisbane Jets, Redcliffe Dolphins and Brisbane Firehawks emerge as potential options for the second Brisbane team, with the league looking to bring them in for the 2023 season.
With speculation continuing to mount, Courier-Mail reporter Pete Badel has revealed the formal process is set to begin in April, with the commission expected to announce the successful candidate in July.
“I can tell you Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo will look to fly north in the next three weeks,” Badel told NRL 360.
“They are tipped to come here by the end of the month and they want to talk to the respective bid teams which are the Brisbane Jets, the Redcliffe Dolphins and the Brisbane Firehawks with a view towards a potential tender process starting in April
“This is exciting news for Queensland rugby league fans. The way things are going, the numbers have to stack up, but Peter V’landys is pretty confident that we will see a fourth Queensland team in 2023.
“The team is expected to be announced in July. A second Brisbane team will be coming in sooner rather than later."
The NRL will likely have a second Brisbane team in 2023 😱
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The inclusion of a second Brisbane team has already attracted interest from Storm superstar Cameron Munster, who admitted he would consider signing with a expansion team for 2023.
He has already received interest from the Jets, with their director Nick Livermore telling Sporting News they believe Munster would be an ideal inaugural captain
“Cameron Munster is certainly one too. He’s made no secret that South-East Queensland is his home," he told Sporting News.
“I think he’d be an amazing first captain, but ultimately we need to get that license first.
"We need to make sure there’s as many quality Queensland players to start with, and then players from out of state who we’d also love to have a look at.
"They'd need to be off contract and available, and we’re having those conversations right now."
