“Need to fight our enemy”: Why Richo is for a third Brisbane side

Former Wests Tigers and South Sydney CEO Shane Richardson has reiterated his support for a 20th team, believing that Queensland deserves a fifth side.

Since 2023, the NRL has accelerated the growth of the competition, having added the Dolphins alongside future expansion with the Perth Bears (in 2027) and the PNG Chiefs (in 2028) to see 19 teams in the league.

With the odd number of teams, it has resulted in plenty of speculation on the need for a 20th team.

The main query surrounding further expansion has been whether there is enough talent/players to support its growth.

But the former NRL strategy boss is confident there wouldn’t be any problems in covering the gap.

“Well, the game's ready now for a 20th (team),” Richardson said on SEN’s Front Office with Vossy.

“If you're going (to) do 18 and 19, I mean, the argument is there enough players, etc?

“But the bottom line is with the expansion to Perth, and that's gonna be hard for the players there. Papua New Guinea is obviously gonna be hard to attract players.

“The government is funding that, and the NRL at the moment are funding Perth.

“So, at the end of the day, I don't think there's any problem.”

Another question surrounding a proposed 20th side is where it would be located.

One of the popular considerations for the new side is for a second side in New Zealand, which would be based in the South Island.

But a push for a side in Brisbane’s west has been regathered pace in recent weeks, with Richardson noting the importance of having an NRL team there, considering the AFL’s push into the area with the Brisbane Lions building their training base in Springfield (20km from Ipswich).

“The thing with the 20th team, though, it's got (to) fund itself,” he continued.

“It can't be a situation where we've got to put more money in to expand because that's what we're doing at the moment.

“We've also got to be in an area (where) we need to actually fight our enemy. The only enemy we've got in Australia is the AFL.

“They've moved to the west of Brisbane for a reason.

“It's the largest growth area of population in Australia. It's full of young sportsmen all the way through; it's a historic Rugby League area that's now been taken over by the AFL, who've based themselves out there.

“And it's desperately in need of a promotion through that magnificent area through Logan, through Ipswich, and to Toowoomba.

“So, to me, it's a no-brainer.”