When Papua New Guinea's entry into the NRL is announced it will open up unique opportunities for local players just like the introduction of Brisbane did in 1988.
That is the view of founding Broncos director Barry Maranta, who also established the London Broncos in the Super League.
Maranta put together a proposal to ARLC chairman Peter V’landys five years ago about the need to expand into PNG which involved a three-year lead-in period and a focus on development of PNG-based players.
Several of his proposals have been adopted and others enhanced for the PNG side's entry into the NRL, likely in 2028, which will be confirmed on Thursday.
The Australian Government will contribute $600 million to the venture across 10 years with their PNG counterparts allocating upwards of $150 million.
The team will recalibrate dreams and aspirations for PNG players just as the Broncos did for up-and-comers in Queensland back in 1988.
"The PNG side is going to give top-line locals the opportunity to step up to a level they are not going to get playing their local football," Maranta told AAP.
"Out of every 10 you will get two or three that might make the grade but you have to give every one of them a chance and God knows what you might unleash.
"That is exactly the way we operated. The Steve Renoufs of the world were unknown in 1988 but came to the fore for us when we won the (NSWRL) title in 1992. Mick Hancock out of Stanthorpe, who no-one had heard of, went on to play for Australia.
"Mark Hohn, Peter Ryan and Willie Carne were classics who came down from the country to shine. We had quite a number of State of Origin players and Wayne Bennett was the coach and took these guys to the next level. That is the way we nurtured it and I foresee a similar outcome in PNG."
Seven PNG internationals who contested the recent Pacific Championships are currently plying their trade in the Super League.
The new expansion side will provide incentive for them to return to their homeland while the NRL has been enhanced by PNG-born stars such as Xavier Coates and Justin Olam.
Now the next generation will aim to represent their local side in the NRL.
"The potential is going to be something incredible and I think will work admirably. With the proper guidance PNG will end up emerging as a most significant power," Maranta said.
"We have also seen many of those players from Super League come back and perform at a significant standard at international level for PNG."
Maranta said the PNG side made sense on several levels and the game had the right man at the helm in V'landys to make the vision a reality.
"No-one can get money out of governments like Peter can and I did my model on $50 million so I nearly died when I saw he got $600 million. This guy is good and he has got other clever angles like no taxation (on the club's player contracts)," Maranta said.
"It makes geopolitical sense with China making a strong move into Papua New Guinea.
"I had also seen PNG Hunters play in the Queensland Cup when my grandson (Lachlan) played against them.
"I saw there was raw talent that just needed to be nurtured in a country where rugby league is a national sport.
"The population is 12 million and the standard of living is going up. If you are going to take a 10 or 20-year view there is growth. If we are going to expand then it is vital to do so into an expanding market like PNG."
