Brisbane Tigers chairman Shane Edwards declares club is ‘ready to be the NRL’s 18th franchise’

Ambitious Brisbane Tigers chairman Shane Edwards has stated that the club is poised to become the NRL’s newest franchise.

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

It is clear that ARLC chairman Peter V’landys is looking to add an 18th NRL team as early as 2027 as part of a new TV rights deal – and the Tigers see their chances ahead of other bidders, including a second New Zealand team, a Pasifika team, as well as a presence in Perth and the return of the North Sydney Bears.

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

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

A new $10 million stadium south of Brisbane’s CBD, high performance center and financial backing has the Brisbane Tigers poised to make a new bid for an NRL license (Edwards is pictured left, with CEO Brian Torpy)

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

Former NRL premiership winning coach John Lang won three titles with the Tigers in his playing time

‘We are fully focused on a stand-alone offer…our focus is on the Greater Brisbane area on the south side of the river.

“There are still 600,000 people living on the south side, and both the Broncos and Dolphins are stationed on the north side.

‘The [Gold Coast] Titans are also 70 km away, so we have a huge population on our doorstep… there is a clear gap in the market for us to tap into.”

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

“If you look at the South West Corridor from Logan to Ipswich, there are another 275,000 people, so that will bring the population to about a million in that region alone,” he said.

“We have an opportunity to immediately generate a local following, and we will be very community-oriented. ‘We [Tigers] celebrate 90 years in 2023, but we want to go to the next level and be a full-time, professional NRL club.”

Edwards then referred to the huge game day attendance at Suncorp Stadium so far this season, both for Magic Round and for the Broncos and Dolphins home games.

“Yet there are nine weekends this year where there is no game 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 worked his magic early on with the Dolphins in their first NRL season – and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by key players at the Tigers

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

“Licensing us would also give the NRL the opportunity to grow the game further.”

Edwards – who worked with the Broncos in marketing and as the club’s general manager from its inception in 1988 to 2002 – is not surprised that the Dolphins have taken off with Bennett in charge.

“I’ve worked with Wayne before, he’s an excellent motivator,” he said.

“Players, staff and fans have agreed with what the Dolphins stand for… we are delighted with how well they are doing and given the opportunity we will try to forge a similar path on and off the field.”

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

“I’m sure we can host 10 teams here in Queensland. People love their footy so much,” he said.

‘They proved that with the arrival of the Dolphins. If another team comes in, come on, let’s go.’