JOHNATHAN Thurston has called on the ARL Commission to deliver a strategic strike against AFL by accelerating expansion plans, starting with a fourth Queensland team in Ipswich.

The NRL last week announced a beefed-up leadership unit, with chief executive David Smith adding Todd Greenberg (NRL head of football) and Jim Doyle (chief operating officer) as part of his blueprint to make rugby league Australia's No. 1 football code.

Now Thurston believes the ARLC must get serious on expansion in a bid to capitalise on the code's greater administrative resources and the NRL's crowds and ratings boom this season.

Under its strategic plan, the ARLC has put expansion on the backburner until 2017. That stance drew criticism from Australian captain Cameron Smith, who said rugby league needed to heed lessons from the AFL and be more pro-active, particularly on expansion.

Cowboys pivot Thurston agrees with Smith and says the ARLC can no longer ignore Queensland desire for a fourth NRL franchise.

"We should expand, for sure," Thurston said.

"Another team in south-east Queensland would be ideal. Expanding has to be on the agenda for the Commission. Queenslanders love their rugby league and another team in Brisbane would be great.

"There are a few options, but I think Ipswich would be a great area.

"During the Indigenous All Stars week (in February), we did some promotional stuff there and you could see it was a region where people loved their rugby league.

"It's a place that has had some hard times in recent years with the floods, but it's a region that can sustain a fourth Queensland team.

"I believe they have the fan base to support the team."

media_camera Johnathan Thurston and George Rose at an All Stars fan day in Ipswich earlier this year. Picture: Glenn Barnes

While expansion has obvious appeal, the ARLC is mindful of the potential perils given the AFL's enormous investment in Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney.

Both sides have struggled to compete with the AFL's heavyweights and the ARLC is reluctant to have two easybeat outfits eroding the credibility of a fiercely contested NRL competition.

In the state of Queensland alone, four consortiums - Central Queensland, Brisbane Bombers, Ipswich and a newly-launched Brothers bid - are lobbying the ARLC for an NRL licence.

Smith is adamant the code has the playing depth and infrastructure to support an 18-team competition, calling for the creation of a second Brisbane team and a new franchise in Perth.

"The game needs to expand soon and Brisbane has room for a second team," he said. "The game is so popular in south-east Queensland and Perth as well, they love league.

"I have played over there and every time it is sold out. Perth still have their own local competition and it is strong.

"The Perth Reds are still active and I know there are figures in the mining industry (who would help bankroll an NRL team).

"That's up to the Commission to decide, but I hope they make a decision soon."

Brisbane Bombers director Craig Davison said the ARL Commission must take advantage of the momentum sweeping the code.

"The reality is Brisbane does need a second team," he said. "I know we won't be the only bidding team out there, but from the Bombers' point of view we've made a good start.

"We cannot have a city this size and only one team."

Western Corridor bid director Steve Johnson said Thurston's appraisal is a compelling argument for Ipswich.

The Western Corridor bid comprises not only Ipswich but the Toowoomba and Logan regions. Johnson has spent more than two years developing the bid and has met several times with ARL Commission members.

Originally published as JT calls for new team in Ipswich