NRL expansion bid drops a bombshell

The newly christened Brisbane Bombers have poured cold water on concerns they will face legal action from AFL namesakes Essendon.

The NRL expansion bid announced yesterday that it would be known as the Brisbane Bombers – a moniker reportedly chosen from over 15,000 entries in a web-based competition.

However, AFL heavyweights Essendon are furious and are looking at legal options to rectify alleged trademark infringement.

Brisbane Bombers director Nicholas Livermore said the name had been approved by three legal experts.

“We short listed about 15 names and selected what would work corporately and commercially and what kids would enjoy,” he said.

“I can understand the name may raise some eyebrows from a rival code because they have an attachment to it and they’ve been around for a very long time.

“If you do your research there’s no less than five cross overs between the NRL and the AFL in the brands.”

Livermore also revealed the other short option for the fledgling franchise’s identity was the ‘River City Kookaburras’.

Brisbane Bombers director Craig Davison declared the upstart bid – which is hoping to join the competition as early as 2013 – was looking to capitalise on a built-in rivalry with the NRL incumbent Broncos.

He also shot down concerns the Broncos would suffer if the Bombers are allowed to enter the league.

“I think that’s a very week argument,” he said.

“Brisbane is the rugby league capital of the world and we get 13 top-class games at Suncorp Stadium each year. There are more than 100 in Sydney.

“We’re talking Brisbane versus Brisbane. With no disrespect to (North Queensland) Cowboys or (Gold Coast) Titans when there’s a local derby it has to be between two teams who are 100 meters apart down the road.

“The Broncos are at the top and our goal would be to climb the ladder and be as good as the Brisbane Broncos.”

Other shared species

Bulldogs; Western (AFL), Canterbury-Bankstown (NRL)

Tigers; Richmond (AFL), Wests (NRL)

Magpies; Collingwood (AFL), Western Suburbs (ARL/NRL)

Blues; Carlton (AFL), New South Wales (State of Origin)

Kangaroos; North Melbourne (AFL), Australia (Test Rugby League)

Lions; Brisbane (AFL), England (Test Rugby League)

NEVER TO BE CONFUSED: West Coast Eagles (AFL) and Manly-Warringah SEA EAGLES (NRL).