The Jets’ NRL bid team have secured $40 million in funding and are hopeful of entering an expanded NRL competition by 2028, with Wayne Bennett as head coach — if he is still keen to continue his stellar career.
The partnership between the former Brisbane Jets’ NRL bid and foundation premiership club Newtown Jets would be based west of Brisbane in Ipswich, if given a licence by the ARL Commission.
The NRL is on track to include two new teams by 2028, with the Perth Bears favourites to join the competition.
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The Jets are of the view that they, and not Papua New Guinea, should be the other expansion side.
The Jets have secured a $40 million commitment by three levels of government to upgrade North Ipswich Reserve and establish a centre of excellence.
The bid has an in-principle deal with Suncorp Stadium to initially play all home games at the venue, where they would wear the green and white strip of Ipswich.
For away games in Sydney, they would don the Newtown traditional strip and have their captain’s run at Henson Park.
Australian Associated Press has been told the Newtown Jets would be co-owners of the club.
The bid has multiple millionaire benefactors, including businessman and Newtown life member John Singleton, with funding not an issue as it was with the Brisbane Jets.
The Brisbane Jets missed out to the Dolphins on becoming the league’s 17th team.
Jets NRL bid chairman Steve Johnson, also the Ipswich Jets boss, has signed a non-disclosure agreement with the NRL. Johnson is chairman of Ipswich Group Ltd, which has put in the bid, and cannot make public comment.
Scott Sattler, who won the 2003 premiership with Penrith, was on the Brisbane Jets committee and is at liberty to speak on the Jets’ bid.
“In Ipswich, leading up to Toowoomba, the Scenic Rim and Darling Downs you have got a rusted-on population that are begging to support their own NRL team, much like when the Cowboys got their own team,” Sattler told AAP.
“Newtown Jets bring a famous name, a nostalgic angle and a ready-made fan base that you would be silly not to re-involve in the NRL.
“Yes, we have got to look into the future.
“But we can’t forget the past, and that is why Western Australia have linked with the Bears and why we have linked with the Newtown Jets.
“The Jets would bring new subscriptions to (broadcasters) Kayo and Fox, which is a primary focus.
“You also have to consider the threat of the AFL, which is very important to the NRL as well. Internally at the NRL they agree that the western corridor (of Brisbane), with the AFL training facility at Springfield, has really eaten into that rugby league heartland, which we don’t want to become an NRL wasteland.”
Dolphins coach Bennett has a farm in the western corridor catchment area, grew up there and played there. By the end of 2027 he would have finished his three-year stint at South Sydney.
Seven-time premiership winner Bennett has a “never say never” philosophy about coaching. He would have coached the Brisbane Jets had they won the 17th NRL licence in 2022.
“Wayne is never going to lose his passion for the game and he is physically and emotionally fit,” Sattler said.
“With Wayne the discussion would be, ‘do you see yourself still coaching?’ Wayne might be 78 in age by 2028, but the principles and the standards he sets and his ability to communicate one-on-one and with the masses are second to none.”
