Fittler tips Perth for NRL expansion team

Fraser Barton | March 16, 2022

With the Queensland-based Dolphins joining the NRL in 2023, NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has tipped Perth as a potential expansion city as the code takes State of Origin west again in 2022.

Perth will host game two of this year’s State of Origin series and Fittler believes the showcase fixture will draw even more support for the game in Western Australia.

“We’ve got the Dolphins coming in next year to the NRL and there’s talk of another team to make it an 18-team competition in the near future so, Perth’s always been one of those areas that we’ve spoke about,” the Blues coach said.

“Obviously the time difference, it’s a popular sport over here – the competition with the AFL is tough but it’s something off this (Origin) game that will create a lot of interest and get rugby league rolling again.”

The Dolphins are the NRL’s first expansion side since Gold Coast in 2007 and the 34th club in the history of the game.

Perth last had a rugby league franchise in 1997 when the Perth Reds played in the Super League before being axed from the competition later that year. 

And while Fittler’s side have had great success at neutral venues, he said the experience of playing in the west again after their 2019 victory is a huge drawcard for players. 

“Our experience here was incredible, from running out to the light show, to staying here for the entire week,” said the coach.

“And obviously the result, so we’ve got great memories of this ground and we plan to make it the same.

“I think its just over 100 days before we play here so, game two is always the most crucial one.

“Game two never misses, it always stands out.”

The Blues will kick off their title defence in Sydney on June 8 after all three 2021 games were played in Queensland due to the pandemic.