It is fitting that Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs, a Redcliffe premiership winner, and Dolphins CEO Terry Reader, a former Broncos official, have created the hype around the biggest rivalry in rugby league.
Both can take plenty of credit for the “Battle of Brisbane” at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night being sold out for an eighth consecutive time.
Before the first derby in 2023 it was Reader who lit the fuse by calling Suncorp Stadium the Dolphins' “home ground”.
It was essentially a statement of fact, as it is the venue where they play most of their home matches. The Redcliffe Dolphins, formerly in the Brisbane Rugby League (BRL), played at the venue when it was called Lang Park well before the Broncos came into existence.
Reader's statement was a red rag to a bull for Staggs who famously bellowed “this is our home” when he scored the match-winning try in an 18-12 win in the inaugural 'Battle" of 2023.
Adding to the theatre was the fact Staggs had previously won the Queensland Cup title with Redcliffe in 2018 when the Dolphins were a Broncos' affiliate.
The Staggs moment has been replayed time and time again ever since.
Reader stoked the flames further with another infamous "sledge", terming the Broncos “a manufactured side”, in reference to their 1988 entry to the NSWRL as a new entity.
The Redcliffe Dolphins were founded in 1947 and won their first BRL title in 1965 with the great Arthur Beetson in the side.
The Broncos call the Dolphins NRL side “Redcliffe” as a dig that they are not a true Brisbane team. Brisbane have also dominated the NRL derbies where it counts, with a 6-1 winning record in the seven clashes.
This week Reader was not taking back his "manufactured side" comment one bit.
“I don't think it's anything that's not factual when you look at it," Reader grinned.
“We’re the first team to come out of the BRL and into the top flight of rugby league.
“Back in 1965 when Arthur Beetson was playing for the Dolphins, they won their first BRL Premiership.
“But we're back in the top-flight and ever since it was taken off the club they've been investing in people, community, facilities, infrastructure to deliver top-flight football to their club. We were able to do that in 2023."
It was put to Reader that the Broncos consider themselves the kings of Brisbane.
“We're not really worried what they say," he said.
“The soap opera of rugby league never ends.
“We're playing in front of a sold-out crowd and hopefully we'll be able to do the event justice and get away with a win."
As for Staggs and Reader on the "home" issue, they will have to agree to disagree.
“Of course it's our home. It's also the Reds' home, it's also the Roar's home. It's Queensland Rugby League's home as well," Reader chortled.
“It is our home ground and we'll be making sure they know about it on Saturday."
