The Redcliffe Dolphins will reportedly become the NRL’s second Brisbane-based side after clinching the league’s 17th licence.
The Redcliffe Dolphins will reportedly join the NRL in 2023 after clinching the league’s 17th licence, staving off bids from the Brisbane Firehawks and Brisbane Jets.
As revealed by The Courier-Mail, the ARLC is set to formally unveil the $70 million powerhouse as the preferred candidate this week, and will become Brisbane’s second NRL team for the 2023 premiership.
Last week, ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys informed the NRL’s 16 existing clubs of the decision to introduce a 17th team into the competition following a $50 million surplus for the league.
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According to the News Corp report, veteran coach Wayne Bennett is the most likely candidate to become the Dolphins’ foundation coach.
The Dolphins will be the NRL’s first expansion team since the Gold Coast Titans were introduced to the league in 2007.
The organisation boasts $70 million worth of assets and has $20 million in cash reserves, which would make it one of the NRL’s richest clubs.
The Dolphins will be based in Redcliffe, approximately 40km from Brisbane’s CBD. However, the club reportedly won’t use “Redcliffe” in its name.
“The Dolphins have a detailed 100-day plan ready to initiate as soon as we are awarded an NRL licence to ensure we can be highly competitive from what could be our very first season in 2023.” Dolphins bid chief Terry Reader told News Corp last week.
“The Dolphins are NRL ready and can start tomorrow.”
The Dolphins will effectively have 12 months to put together a 30-player senior squad and coaching staff before pre-season gets underway in November 2022.
The ARLC’s decision will be formally announced in the coming days.
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