The question concerning North Sydney, which has now morphed on here to the North Shore, is relevant.
Firstly, we're told that the junior talent is in the Central Coast and not in the North Shore/Sydney. Of course where the juniors and the pathways are is moot because you can take juniors from anywhere and juniors can go anywhere.
Why would anyone on the North Shore/Sydney invest in a Perth based team? From the goodness of their heart? Because of the chance to see them 1 game a year at a cricket oval?
We are bringing back a defunct team that had 2 opportunities to have a presence in the NRL and blew it just because a few old fogies and some comedian has nostalgia pangs.
What is actually happening with NRL expansion under V'landys is the NRL wants it because it adds to the broadcast deal but they aren't prepared to invest in it or have patience with it. In this case they're bringing in a Frankenstein's monster that benefits neither Perth or North Sydney/Shore/Central Coast and in the case of PNG they are trusting a government and its handouts and the fantasy that putting league in schools in developing countries is going to produce NRL quality players in a short time frame.
The NRL introduced the Dolphins who were an existing club in the Qld Cup and their brand name was established in Qld.
The NRL probably wants another existing club in a state competition like the Bears, to be involved in a new club, but in a different city.
Also the NRL would've had feedback from the broadcasters. Nine and Fox may have suggested "Perth Bears" because it is an easier sell to promote games involving Perth.
Personally I don't mind the possibility of Perth Bears. Both the Western Reds and Norths were screwed during Super League. My preference is for all games to be played in Perth. We have seen GWS take games to Canberra. They are a part time side in Sydney.
With NSO, it is another ground with hills. One day, the code needs to move away from venues that have hills, (or at least upgrade them) because nowadays, it is all about safety. Gone are the days where 27,000 people squeezed into Brookvale Oval to watch Manly v Parramatta.
When I go to the future stadiums thread, I look for updates from Penrith, or if something is happening elsewhere. Instead there are postings about a future AFL stadium in Tassie.
Anyway, if it's done right, Perth Bears can be a success. But in the meantime, I like to hear more from the Perth side of the equation.