Queensland Rugby League (QRL) CEO Ben Ikin says the state deserves to have a fifth NRL team as talks over a 20th NRL franchise heat up.

Ikin told WWOS that Queensland could cater for another team, given NSW has 10, with hopes for another expansion team to be added to the NRL before 2034.

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“The western corridor of Brisbane and central Queensland are passionate rugby league bases. It’s not just in the form of fans, it’s also the number of participants and the pathways that are well-established in those regions,” Ikin said.

“I can just about guarantee you that with the risk associated with Perth and PNG, if they were looking for a sure thing, putting another side here would fit that bill.”

Ikin will step down at QRL boss at the end of the month, but will push Queensland’s case for a new team, possibly in Ipswich, right until he leaves his post.

“Can’t remember a game like it!” | 05:22

A New Zealand franchise on the south island in Christchurch looks to be the frontrunner as the NRL tries to grow the game internationally and take over the rugby union-mad nation.

That would be welcome news to Dolphins boss Terry Reader who naturally doesn’t want another NRL team in his backyard so soon after his came into the league.

“We took a 17-year gap in between the Titans and us coming in and we’re actually going to bring in three sides within six years of each other … it is a difficult task,” he said on Wide World Of Sports’ QLDER earlier this week.

“I think New Zealand we’re talking about as the 20th side, probably makes sense with what’s happened at the Warriors, there’s one team over there.”

RIVAL’S SWIPE AT ‘MANUFACTURED’ BRONCOS

Dolphins boss Terry Reader has made the stunning claim that his side was “Brisbane’s team” in a stinging sledge to the Broncos.

With the clubs just weeks away from contesting the eighth Battle of Brisbane, Reader claimed the Broncos were a “manufactured” side.

“The funny thing is – and the Broncos fans don’t like hearing this – but we actually represent the BRL (Brisbane Rugby League),” Reader told the Courier Mail.

“We’re the first team to ascend to the national competition out of the BRL or out of the QRL competition.

“The Broncos … we’ve got manufactured expansion sides, but we’re the first grassroots side to ascend into the NRL.”

Fletch & Hindy dealt final punishment | 07:23

The Broncos have won six of the seven clashes between the two sides, including one game where centre Kotoni Staggs declared Suncorp Stadium “our house” after scoring a match-sealing try.

The Broncos have no doubt felt threatened by the Dolphins since they entered the NRL in 2023.

When he was head coach at Brisbane, Kevin Walters always referred to the Dolphins as “Redcliffe” in an effort to make them sound like an out of town team.

Following a 66-0 loss at the hands of Cronulla, Walters dismissed the Dolphins are genuine premiership threats in 2026.

“If you get beaten by 50-plus or more, you aren’t going to win the grand final,” Walters said on his Inside Ball podcast.

“I’m always glass half-full, but like stats and history tells us the Dolphins (can’t win the premiership).”

THE OFFER A BRONCO COULDN’T REFUSE

Marlon Brando may be long gone, but someone from the Broncos must play the role of the Godfather and make Xavier Willison an offer he can’t refuse to ensure the man mountain stays put beyond the 2027 season.

And a little bit of Hollywood could go a long way given Willison sports a tattoo on his right leg of the legendary Don Vito Corleone, who delivered iconic quote after iconic quote in the 1972 classic.

“There are so many to choose from, but probably just the main one ‘I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse’,” Willison replied when asked what his favourite quote from the film is.

“It’s definitely my favourite movie. I used to watch it all the time at my nana’s (place) growing up. It’s my favourite movie, closely followed by A Bronx Tale. I like those old-school Italian mafia sort of movies.”

His Broncos tale is just getting started after becoming a mainstay in the team back in 2024, with Willison playing a key role in their run to the premiership last year.

He’ll turn 24 in a couple of weeks and will command huge offers if he hits the open market on November 1, which is why the Broncos are doing everything they can to convince the New Zealand international to stay.

There are reports that they’ve tabled a three-year deal worth about $3m, with Willison showing his value against Penrith on Thursday where he started in the middle but moved to the edge and ran for 189m.

“We’re still working through things,” he said, with Brisbane desperate to keep him given superstar prop Payne Haas is leaving to join the Rabbitohs at the end of the year.

“Definitely (my preference is to stay). They’ve given me everything. They brought me over from New Zealand as a kid, so definitely.”

A premiership push this season seems improbable, but at least the Broncos have given themselves a tiny chance of sneaking into the finals after they snapped an eight-game losing streak with a win in Sydney over the title favourites.

Reece Walsh was at his brilliant best with three try assists as the Broncos reminded everyone that they can still be a force when they have all of their stars on the park.

“It’s a good feeling. It’s fun to be back in the winner’s circle,” Willison said.

“We had all our boys back, so there were really no excuses for us not to perform tonight, and I felt like we did that.

“The last couple of weeks, I definitely felt like we’ve had the effort. The boys were trying to look after each other, it just hasn’t gone our way. Tonight everyone was there, which definitely helped.”