NRL: Second Brisbane team on the cards - Gallop

As well as the consortium from Brisbane, bids have been flagged by Ipswich, central Queensland, Perth, the NSW central coast, Wellington and Papua New Guinea. Photo / Getty Images

A second rugby league team in Brisbane is "on the cards" at some point in the future, NRL boss David Gallop has conceded.

Gallop today met with members of a consortium proposing a second side in the Queensland capital if the league expands in 2013 to coincide with a new broadcast deal.

He said the bid was still in its early stages, but the energy of the group, led by former Thoroughbreds chairman Craig Davison, was undeniable.

The Thoroughbreds, a group of Brisbane businessmen, support Brisbane rivals the Broncos.

"It was useful to put a face to the media speculation," Mr Gallop said.

"Expansion is not on the agenda but we have said we expect to review that position in the later half of 2011.

"The strength of the game in Queensland is obvious to everyone but they, like any other potential bid, would need to demonstrate that they have a sustainable business model and they bring a benefit to the entire competition.

"There's a bit of a way to go but we are happy to continue some dialogue with them.

"They're in the early days but you wouldn't knock their enthusiasm."

But Gallop's comments to reporters at an All Stars community event earlier in the day would have been music to the consortium's ears.

"The strength of the game in Queensland, the population growth that's expected in south-east Queensland, those are factors that would have to say that a second team out of Brisbane at some point would be on the cards," he said.

As well as the consortium from Brisbane, bids have been flagged by Ipswich, central Queensland, Perth, the NSW central coast, Wellington and Papua New Guinea.

The NRL has been insistent that any new team would need to grow the game's financial resources so current clubs were not be adversely affected.

"It is exciting for the game that there are areas that want to be involved, but we have to be careful to look at the impact on the existing 16 clubs and our existing players," Gallop said.

"We want to grow the pie for them and make sure that they're getting paid more money in the future.

"We would be looking at a sustainable business model but we'd also be looking at something that brought something to the table for everyone involved in the competition, something that's going to help the game grow."

- AAP