Ready by 2028: Orcas chairman hopeful for 20th NRL license

Southern Orcas chairman Sir Graham Lowe has declared that the proposed expansion side would be ready to enter the NRL by 2028 as the league looks for a 20th team.

With the NRL’s growing popularity, the competition has quickly expanded in recent years by strengthening its hold in traditional markets, such as the Dolphins in 2023, while also expanding into non-traditional markets, such as the Perth Bears and the PNG Chiefs across the next two seasons.

During discussions on the NRL’s next TV rights contract, one broadcaster is keen for the competition to introduce a 20th team by 2029, creating a 10th game for the week, and adding more value to the deal.

Out of the current options for the next side, it is reportedly a two-horse race between a fifth side in Queensland, located in Brisbane’s western corridor or a second team in New Zealand, likely in the South Island, with the Orcas the leading contender for that option.

With that in mind, Lowe said the Orcas franchise could be ready as soon as 2028 if they were to be handed a license today.

“It won't be easy by any stretch of the imagination, and we are realistic,” former Manly CEO Lowe explained on SEN’s Front Office with Vossy.

“But there's a lot of players available, and you'll be surprised where we get them from.

“We are ready to go. The really important thing though, is to get the tick (from the NRL) so we can get the coach in place. That's got to be a key factor in the whole lot.

“But I mean, chances like this come along less than once in a blue moon.

“So, we are ready, we have to be ready, and we won't be coming along with any excuses at all.”

While they have had no official conversations with the NRL about their potential entry in recent times, there are concerns with the side.

Despite supporting a second NZ team in the future, New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George was unsure whether the pathways were in place to support its introduction.

This issue was acknowledged by Lowe, who remains confident they will have that sorted by the time they enter.

“Well, there's not a professional structure there at the moment, to be honest,” he explained.

“But I mean, we've got people in mind, and Cameron (George) is absolutely right.

“You have to have the right structure. You've got to have the right base to start.

“That's why we've just been trying to sound as calm as we can.

“We've got a list of names for the various things, but we will have that locked up. Have no worries about that because that's absolutely critical.

 “It's just as important as what's going on in the field.”

The Perth Bears will become the NRL's 18th side in 2027, with the PNG Chiefs to follow the year after.