There’s been speculation that two of the hopeful NRL expansion bids are set to merge to become a more powerful bid to take down on the Redcliffe Dolphins.

It’s been reported the Brisbane Jets and the Brisbane Firehawks are considering joining forces to strengthen their chances of becoming the NRL’s 17th club.

ARL commission chairman Peter V’landys today said it was a “smart thing to do”.

Jets bid chief Nic Livermore admitted there was a “lot of speculation” and the Dolphins were a powerful force.

“We haven’t sat down and had any formal chats of a merger or joining the two bids together,” he told Scott Emerson.

“I think what’s excited the media as well as Peter’s comments about what it could do, if it’s going to be the strongest outcome for the game of rugby league, we have always maintained that’s what we want.

“If it’s something we are pushed towards over the coming weeks as the commission gives us more feedback, we won’t turn down any opportunity as to what the game could grow.”

But he said they were “open to it” if it could grow the game in south-east Queensland.

Press PLAY below to hear his comments on a possible merger

Images: Supplied