THE success of A-League derbys in Sydney and Melbourne has Brisbane as a likely destination for a second Queensland team when the competition expands.

Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop told The Sunday Mail that come the next A-League broadcast deal — set for 2017 — expansion was likely, with a 12-team competition expected.

While Gallop would not commit to a second Queensland team, and more specifically a Brisbane-based rival for the Roar, he is a huge fan of derbys and wants more in future seasons.

“There’s no question that the Melbourne and Sydney derby games have driven so much of the boom in the A-League’s crowds, TV ratings, membership and digital audiences,” he said.

“These matches showcase one of our key advantages over all the other footy brands — the atmosphere created by passionate fans.

media_camera Brisbane could host another A-League team when the competition expands.

“This season we’ve seen new crowd and ratings records in derby matches. The fans can’t get enough of the rivalries and for many new fans it takes just one derby experience to become hooked.

“With this in mind, it’s natural that a Brisbane derby would be a logical addition to the A-League.”

Counting against a second Queensland team being based on the Gold Coast, Townsville or Cairns are the failures of the North Queensland Fury and Gold Coast United.

The Townsville-based Fury lasted only two seasons, while not even the millions of Clive Palmer could ensure a long-term future for United, who were canned after three years.

Gallop, who was not with FFA during the existence of United and Fury, was hardly surprised they failed considering the population of their base cities.

Townsville last year had an estimated population of 190,000, while the Gold Coast-Tweed Heads’ population was slightly more than 600,000.

“My rule of thumb is that expansion should only occur in markets where there are populations in the millions, not hundreds of thousands,” he said.

“We need to fish where the fish are, and the big cities are full of football fans and players.

“There are some very promising football markets in several Australian cities, including Brisbane, but no decision has been taken about the priority.

“An expansion club needs more than just a derby.

“It will come down to broad community support and the fundamental investment decisions.”

Miron Bleiberg, the foundation coach of both the Roar and Gold Coast United, believed a second Queensland team should be based in Brisbane.

“And that’s not to take anything away from the Roar,” he said.

“On the contrary, it’s to stimulate the interest in football in Brisbane, like it has in Sydney and Melbourne.”

Gallop said FFA was pleased with the “continued growth in all metrics for Brisbane Roar”.

“Under the leadership of (chairman) Chris Fong and (managing director) Sean Dobson, the Roar have done a fantastic job in engaging with their community and local business,” he said.

“There’s no doubt the brand of Brisbane Roar has grown hugely as a result.

“Over the past three years, crowds, TV ratings and digital audiences have grown consistently in Brisbane.

“It’s one of the key markets in our overall boom.

“The membership growth is phenomenal, more than 50 per cent up on last year and now more than 11,000, a Roar club record.

“Half of our clubs are either profitable or near break-even, which is a rare achievement in the Australian sports landscape.

“We have more work ... but the next broadcast deal should provide an environment for the expansion issue to come back into the strategic plan.”