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After putting forward their expansion bid to the ARL Commission, Brisbane Jets CEO Nick Livermore says the club would be ready to go in 2023 if given the nod.
The head of the Brisbane Jets expansion bid has declared his organisation would be good to go for the 2023 season if given the nod by the NRL.
Representatives of the Jets, Brisbane Firehawks and Redcliffe Dolphins have all made one-hour presentations to the NRL expansion committee in Brisbane on Monday.
A key issue of discussions is whether a team would be ready to go by 2023 or would need until 2024 to acquire sponsors, staff and a playing roster.
After making his pitch, Jets chief executive Nick Livermore told reporters his organisation is prepared to be set for a 2023 kick-off if that is required.
"Absolutely and that's part of our mantra both off the field and on the field," Livermore said.
"It's a difficult time for businesses with COVID absolutely but part of it's being able to perform on the field and having that business case that's ready."
ARL Commission member Kate Jones refused to place a timeline on a decision after the discussions, or even whether the competition is committed to expansion.
"We are taking this very seriously ... we want to make sure that if we do make a decision to have a 17th team that it's in the best interests of growing the game for future generations of footy fans and players," Jones said.
"We are very aware of the time constraints that each of the bid teams need in order to fill the team in 2023.
"We understand the timeliness of this ... we'll continue to act quickly in to meet those timeframes."
The Jets are looking to form a team in the state's western corridor, where some of the biggest names in Queensland rugby league history have originated.
The Ipswich City Council has already outlined plans to construct a 20,500-seat stadium to support the bid but there have been reported concerns of their monetary muscle.
Livermore was confident Monday's pitch will have allayed those fears with the ARLC.
"You need a business case and that's what the commission is focused on," he said.
"They don't want to be helping clubs out of the dire situations that some of them are in.
"We certainly believe what the Brisbane Jets offer is the best solution long-term for growing the game and also financial sustainability well into the next decade."
Redcliffe bid head Terry Reader said the opportunity for the expansion clubs to put forward their cases in person was a key step in the process.
While some of the existing NRL clubs have expressed concern about expansion, especially during the COVID pandemic, Reader said he was confident Redcliffe's geographic location and financial strength made them a strong contender to win the bid.
"The feedback is there that it's got to stack up and we think that ours does," Reader said.
"Financial viability, being able to stand on your own two feet, we think that we don't have fear in that area.
"We've got a massive growth corridor that is basically unserviced by the NRL right now. So we think the key component geographically, we sit in an area which will have the least impact on existing clubs."
