The old-timey Brisbane Bombers launched their bid to become Brisbane’s second NRL team today with a coming out party at Albion Park. Vying for inclusion in the 2013 season, the Bombers would theoretically join the Cowboys, the Titans and cross town rivals, the Broncos, as Queensland’s fourth official NRL team (R.I.P. The South Queensland Crushers). As expected AFL acolytes were quick to criticize the team which shares its name with VFL foundation club and one of the winningest squads in AFL history, Essendon.
Essendon chief executive Ian Robson said the club was currently seeking legal advice for possible breaches of intellectual property. “I wish them good luck with their expansion but if the Bombers really is their name then we want to make sure that no lines are crossed or blurred,” Robson said. “Our club has been around for 130 years and the Bomber name has enormous brand equity as a football club around Australia. There have been examples of teams co-existing such as the Wests Tigers in rugby league and the Tigers of Richmond, but those Tigers clubs go back a long way in both codes.”
The Bombers’ official colours will be navy and orange and its logo will be a bomber pilot and air force wings. Alliterative alternatives included Braves, Bayliners and Barracudas before market research “strongly recommended” Bombers.
Ahhh so many questions. Will they be approved? Who can/will they sign? Is Brisbane ready for two rugby teams? Will this be a hotly contested local rivalry or will the Bombers be to Broncos what Mets are to Yankees or Clippers are to Lakers? The inferior cross town rival of a beloved perennial contender. Who knows. All we know is that their militaristic promo video is kind of freaking us out. Watch below…
