Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader says the NRL derby intensity with the Brisbane Broncos will surpass that of the 115-year-old South Sydney-Sydney Roosters rivalry.
The Dolphins host the first 'Battle for Brisbane' on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium and Reader is tagging it as 'Battle One' of many in the future.
The clash is on track to being sold out.
The Broncos had a short-lived Brisbane derby with South Queensland Crushers but that only lasted three years before the Crushers' demise at the end of 1997.
"The difference now is the Dolphins aren't going anywhere," Reader told AAP.
"If you look at the rivalry between the Rabbitohs and the Roosters, I think this is going to be bigger. Brisbane is the home of rugby league. The sport is king in our city.
"The difference with Sydney is that they have nine teams but in Brisbane we only have two.
"The rivalry is already at fever pitch inside 15 months and that's because a lot of things have happened between the two clubs to add extra spice to it."
Reader refers to Friday night's clash as 'The Battle' and likens it to 'The Showdown' between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide in the AFL.
"This is 'Battle One' and so it will continue for years to come. In Adelaide they have had more than 50 showdowns," Reader said.
"With the Showdown in South Australia you have the closest link to what we have here in Brisbane with the Battle only in a different code, because you've got the Adelaide Crows which were a manufactured expansion side and Port Adelaide which came out of the SANFL to play in the AFL.
"We are the first BRL/QRL side to ascend into the top flight. That is lost on a lot of people.
"We didn't just get made up 15 months ago. Our foundation and DNA is 76 years old (with the Redcliffe Dolphins) and some of the greats of the game have come through this club."
Since the Dolphins won entry into the NRL, Reader said the round-four game was "always going to be the one people circled".
He says the narratives associated with the game have "spice".
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett formerly coached Brisbane and was sacked by the club that now has as its coach his former Broncos captain Kevin Walters, who he also once punted as his assistant coach.
Former Broncos players are at the Dolphins and they have pinched two of Brisbane's current stars for next year.
"We have taken players from the Broncos. I have no doubt as time goes on it will happen both ways but at the moment we welcome two current Broncos (Thomas Flegler and Herbie Farnworth) next year," Reader said.
"Don't forget this is our home game at Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos are now co-tenants.
"It is not just their home ground. It is our home ground too. We will host the first 'Battle for Brisbane' and that adds even more spice to it."
