Cam Smith, a legend of the Maroons, has expressed caution regarding the prospect of Ipswich becoming the NRL’s 20th team. He believes that the talent pool in the league might not be adequate to support a competitive franchise. The Ipswich Jets are currently regarded as strong candidates for the expansion, having received $42.5 million for upgrading the North Ipswich Reserve to meet NRL standards.
Prominent figures in the rugby league community, including Ben Ikin and Peter V’landys, have voiced their support for introducing a fifth Queensland team. The Ipswich region has a long history of producing talented players, leading many to assert that, with adequate financial backing, the team could achieve success on the field.
While discussing the Cowboys’ recent win over the Broncos on Nine’s coverage, Smith acknowledged that the region possesses significant football talent. However, he cautioned against rushing into the decision to expand, raising concerns about whether the league has enough quality players to effectively field a 20th team, especially with the addition of the 18th and 19th teams on the horizon.
“There’s a great opportunity for a new team in this growing area of Brisbane, but we need to carefully consider our resources,” he stated.
The idea of expanding into Central Queensland has been under consideration since 2010 when initial plans were made for a team known as The Miners. However, expansion plans were postponed until the Dolphins became the 17th franchise in 2023, a decision supported by NRL leadership, including V’landys and CEO Andrew Abdo.
Ikin, backing the prospect of another Queensland team, highlighted the rich rugby league culture in Central Queensland, indicating that there is strong community interest, particularly in Rockhampton. This competitive drive would be beneficial for the sport overall.
As the NRL’s landscape continues to evolve, with growth in participation and viewership, the notion of expanding into regional areas has regained traction. This development is indicative of the changing dynamics in Australian rugby league, suggesting that we could eventually see an even broader representation of teams across Queensland.