After two wins in two weeks from the Dolphins, attention has immediately turned to whether or not the NRL can add yet another club in the coming years.
There was plenty of debate prior to the introduction of the NRL's 17th team, with the lack of high-profile recruits to the Redcliffe-based franchise raising some serious alarm bells.
But after a hot start and fans turning out in droves for the Dolphins, a recent report from News Corp indicated the NRL are looking at moving towards at least one new team and possibly as many as 20 in the coming years.
Brisbane, Perth, Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands have all been touted as potential options - while an old favourite has also been tossed around.
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When will the NRL expand to 18 teams?
While there is no guarantee the NRL is going to expand, it looks more and more likely that it will occur prior to 2027.
ARLC boss Peter V'landys revealed the league's powerbrokers would look at the pros and cons before making a decision on an 18th team.
“We haven’t put a time on it," he said during a recent interview on Triple M.
"It could be in 2025 or it could be in 2027 when the broadcast contract comes up for renewal.
“We’re going to look hard at the Dolphins situation to see what we have done right and what we have done wrong, and if there’s enough players to have that 18th team.”
Who will be the NRL's next team?
There are plenty of options for the NRL's next franchise, with plenty of opportunities across Australia and abroad.
A potential Pasifika or PNG side has been earmarked for the coming years, while the likes of Perth and New Zealand could also be considered.
But according to Phil Gould, the next club should again come from the south-east region of Queensland.
“I said for years that Brisbane needed a second team and now I think they need a third team,” he said on Six Tackles with Gus.
"If we’re going to put an 18th team in, that’s where it should be. They’ve got the population, they’ve got the supporter base to do it.
“There’s not another place on the planet that would be better for another NRL team than southeast Queensland, for the game and for sustainable success.”
A third side in the Brisbane area could be overkill, with the league possibly better placed looking at options that have yet to be tapped into.
Perth has been trialed before and failed, but with State of Origin games heading over to WA in recent years and a burning desire from their government to host big events and big franchises, the NRL could do a lot worse than going back to the well.
Moving towards another side from outside of Australia could also open doors for fresh talent and new eyes on the product, which will be the most important thing prior to the 2027 broadcast rights deal.
Will the North Sydney Bears return to the NRL?
In short, the North Sydney Bears are highly unlikely to ever return to first grade in their previous and historic form.
However, a potential merger with a new bidder such as PNG or Pasifika could allow the Bears name to live on.
Bears chairman Daniel Dickson believes it could work for all parties if the famous club was re-introduced to first grade in a new form.
“We’ve done all the work we needed to do, we’re just sitting and waiting so when they say, ‘let’s go’, we’re going to be in the best possible position,” Dickson told SEN Radio.
“Let’s look at what the NRL needs, forget what we need at the moment, if the NRL doesn’t get what they need we’re nowhere.
When is the next NRL broadcast deal?
The next broadcast rights deal for the NRL is in 2027, which will be a huge factor in any potential expansion decisions.
With both Fox Sports and Channel Nine likely to push for renewals and other entities likely to place bids, the NRL will want to have the best product possible in order to maximise their earning capacity in the deal.
Wayne Bennett slams 'selfish' Sydney clubs
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has taken aim at 'selfish' Sydney-based NRL clubs, accusing them of not wanting the game to expand.
Following the side's Round 4 loss to the Broncos, the legendary coach took a major swipe at the folks from south of the border, as the league's powerbrokers begin talks for an 18th club in the coming years.
“Because they are selfish...if Sydney had their way, they wouldn’t be playing anywhere else but in Sydney," Bennett said.
“They wouldn’t want Test matches or State of Origins. That’s why you have administrators outside of the clubs that have to make decisions in the best interests of what the game needs.
“But we get selfish in clubs and a bit personal. We all want to win the premiership, but we don’t want to play against anybody to win it.”
