A horror year for the Gold Coast Titans has not put David Gallop off expansion but the NRL boss admits bid teams have plenty of work to do to seal a franchise.

Gallop said on Wednesday there was no clear cut "genuine contender" among the seven consortiums to have expressed an interest in joining the NRL, most probably in 2015.

However, Gallop made it clear it had nothing to do with the troubles endured by the Titans.

Gold Coast, who entered the NRL in 2007, are last on the competition ladder and expected to win the wooden spoon this season.

Last year's preliminary finalists could not have timed their most dire NRL season to date any worse, with AFL rookies Gold Coast Suns making major inroads on the tourist strip.

The Suns are winning the battle for footy crowds - the most recent example was a near sell-out 23,302 attending their 54-point thumping at the hands of Collingwood on July 23.

On the same night, 15,741 watched the Titans lose 28-20 to the Cowboys at Skilled Park.

But Gallop said: "It's been a tough year economically down there, the team is not performing.

"But one thing about expanding the competition is that you have to be ready for moments when things aren't going that well and you get a bit of a dip in crowds.

"Long term I don't see that as a problem at the Titans.

"They will rebuild their playing rosters. They will start to be a success again on the field - their place in the competition is well assured.

"It's a rollercoaster being at a footy club and they just happen to be at a low point - but their highs are coming."

Gallop is on record saying the earliest expansion should take place in 2014.

Of the bid teams to have expressed an interest, the favourites are reportedly Perth - however, the Brisbane Bombers have arguably been the most vocal.

Gallop has reportedly not been impressed by the Bombers suggesting the competition should expand in 2013 or their choice of a WWI bomber pilot for their logo.

There is also the threat of legal action by AFL club Essendon Bombers over their name.

When asked about the Bombers on Wednesday, Gallop said: "I admire the enthusiasm of all our bid teams but the fact is every one of them have some pluses and minuses.

"Everyone has some stuff that they need to be working on to be genuine contenders to get into this competition and the Bombers are in that position - they have more work to do to convince us of their place."

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