^^^^^^
From the OZ seems he has the support of the clubs and wants to expand the NRL. Perth and second Brisbane are the odds on two new teams.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...s/news-story/324aa62c633fc95cee3aaa8a4fed1506
The man touted as the next chairman of the ARL commission Peter Beattie is determined to expand the NRL beyond the current 16 teams.
The former Queensland premier is adamant the competition can grow and has staked his future in the game on it happening, most likely in 2022 to coincide with the new broadcast deal.
“Expansion has to be on the table. The game can’t be complacent. We have to grow. If we stagnate we die. And that is why I want to see it back on the table. It’s time,’’ Beattie told The Daily Telegraph.
“We need to be strategic about it and think long term.
“There is so much other entertainment and other sports people are interested in. We can’t sit on our bums. The quality of the game is great but we’ve got to ensure it has a future. That’s why expansion is so important.”
Current chairman John Grant steps down from the role next month and Beattie is odds on to step into the role.
“I am only interested in taking the role if I have the support of the clubs and all stakeholders,” Beattie said.
“The constitution says I only need the support of the other independent commissioners but I want to make this work. So I will be asking for a vote of the entire commission including the club and state nominees … and I will only take the job if they all want me there.
“There is no point having a Chair the clubs don’t want. We want unity and cohesion.”
Beattie would not be drawn on where the new team or teams would come from but indicated a team from Perth would be a good fit.
“I can’t wait to see teams like Perth, Fiji, New Zealand, PNG, Country NSW and other cities in action, week after week in State Cup matches. Even Ipswich or Redcliffe,’’ he said.
“We’ve got to give them all a signal that we’re looking at expansion.
“This broadcast cycle will give us the opportunity to see how serious they are about becoming part of the NRL. And, if one or two of them demonstrate they will benefit the NRL, can we look at including them in the next cycle?’’
Meanwhile, Queensland great Trevor Gillmeister is confident Cameron Munster and Ben Hunt’s World Cup fight will not throw a spanner into Queensland’s State of Origin dominance.
Munster was briefly sent home from last year’s Kangaroos camp following a fracas with Hunt in Darwin.
Tempers flared between the Maroons Origin teammates while the Kangaroos were in the steamy Northern Territory capital for their semi-final against Samoa last November.
“It was no big deal. I wouldn’t be reading anything into it,” he said.