26 June expansion meeting (Predictions?)

[Perth Red]

Everyone happy with the outcome of the meeting? Lot of build up for a nothing burger we didn’t already know …

Not surprised, Abdo said beginning of year they wouldn't be making decision until October. I do find it interesting they have decided to go to open bids from anywhere. That I wasn't expecting.

 

[Perth Red]

North shore it’s a black hole mostly causal fans

Balmain and around lots of afl fans

many went to afl and didn’t come back

some are coming back as league gets stronger

league in Sydney isn’t as strong as 95 days

Based on what?: Crowds are much bigger and tv audiences are bigger.

 

[Perth Red]

PNG coming on 2028 (being delayed a year is being wrong ?)

2 years lol, you said they would be in before 2027! (Still waiting on you to pay up on our bet)
Youve been wrong on just about everything when it comes to PNG so far.

 

[Perth Red]

I know I'm speaking of the obvious here, but Peter V'landys doesn't hold all the power over NRL expansion. He is part of a commission, of which there are several members. There is also Andrew Abdo and the other chief decision makers at NRL HQ. They would be following a process here.

Pete can publicly push for the Bears all he likes (and like I said in my previous post, I think he's being disingenuous) but like you said there is the consortium and the WA government who are stakeholders in the process as well. They're not going to stand for something being pushed on them that works against their best interests, especially if there is a risk of failure. We're talking big investment to set up a Perth club, you don't put your money in unless you know you're getting a good deal.

Recent articles have said WA govt AND the WA bid are not keen on the Bears. If the NRL isnt pushing it then its hard to see it happening.

 

[Steel Saints]

I know I'm speaking of the obvious here, but Peter V'landys doesn't hold all the power over NRL expansion. He is part of a commission, of which there are several members. There is also Andrew Abdo and the other chief decision makers at NRL HQ. They would be following a process here.

Pete can publicly push for the Bears all he likes (and like I said in my previous post, I think he's being disingenuous) but like you said there is the consortium and the WA government who are stakeholders in the process as well. They're not going to stand for something being pushed on them that works against their best interests, especially if there is a risk of failure. We're talking big investment to set up a Perth club, you don't put your money in unless you know you're getting a good deal.

Yep, this is where the Bears and to a certain extent, the NRL, need to understand. If the WA government is going to provide funding for an upgrade to HBF Park, then they are entitled to have all 12 games in Perth.

In those circumstances, the Bears wanting two games at NSO would be an insult to the WA government.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Not surprised, Abdo said beginning of year they wouldn't be making decision until October. I do find it interesting they have decided to go to open bids from anywhere. That I wasn't expecting.

The whole process has been very slow IMO… and still nothing yet confirmed …Im not sure why Team 18 ( most likely Perth ) couldn’t have been announced months ago to come in 2026 … would help to stagger out Teams 19 and 20…two year gaps would have been ideal ..

 

[Wb1234]

Yep, this is where the Bears and to a certain extent, the NRL, need to understand. If the WA government is going to provide funding for an upgrade to HBF Park, then they are entitled to have all 12 games in Perth.

In those circumstances, the Bears wanting two games at NSO would be an insult to the WA government.

It’s not like the stadium is only used for rugby league

 

[Perth Red]

The whole process has been very slow IMO… and still nothing yet confirmed …Im not sure why Team 18 ( most likely Perth ) couldn’t have been announced months ago to come in 2026 … would help to stagger out Teams 19 and 20…two year gaps would have been ideal ..

Not how the game operates. In reality Perth should have been supported in getting ready in terms of pathways for the last decade! The only system we had (SG ball) was shutdown by NRL. Long term vision and strategy is not a rugby league thing.

 

[Perth Red]

It’s not like the stadium is only used for rugby league

No but its only being upgraded for RL. If I was the govt spending $150mill plus on it I would want maximum utilisation.

 

[BuffaloRules]

No but its only being upgraded for RL. If I was the govt spending $150mill plus on it I would want maximum utilisation.

Anything firm on the stadium upgrade specifics ?

 

[The Man Shake]

No but its only being upgraded for RL. If I was the govt spending $150mill plus on it I would want maximum utilisation.

Exactly. The WA Government will be expecting maximum bang for their buck with a price tag like that. They stand to gain nothing by having the new Perth team playing at least 2 games a year at a sub-par suburban stadium on the other side of the country that only holds 10k people. What economic benefit will that bring for WA?

 

[Perth Red]

Anything firm on the stadium upgrade specifics ?

No, this week was the first time it has been talked about in articles that hbf upgrade is part of the govt support. You'd hope the min would be a new West stand.

 

[Perth Red]

Exactly. The WA Government will be expecting maximum bang for their buck with a price tag like that. They stand to gain nothing by having the new Perth team playing at least 2 games a year at a sub-par suburban stadium on the other side of the country that only holds 10k people. What economic benefit will that bring for WA?

I wonder if this is the demand that has turned the WA govt off the Bears? Singo is smart saying a pre season game at Henson would be enough.

 

[Wb1234]

Exactly. The WA Government will be expecting maximum bang for their buck with a price tag like that. They stand to gain nothing by having the new Perth team playing at least 2 games a year at a sub-par suburban stadium on the other side of the country that only holds 10k people. What economic benefit will that bring for WA?

150 million ? That’s hardly a lot of money

 

[Vlad59]

Recent articles have said WA govt AND the WA bid are not keen on the Bears. If the NRL isnt pushing it then its hard to see it happening.

The bears partnership is the last leg some of these flogs have to stand on now that a WA team is pretty much in the bag. Watching them change their positions has been a lot of fun. Perth needs to be stand alone with feeder arrangements until no longer required

 

[The Man Shake]

I wonder if this is the demand that has turned the WA govt off the Bears? Singo is smart saying a pre season game at Henson would be enough.

Singo is smart because he accepts the reality that the Newtown Jets are a minor player in this process. So instead of making demands, he is offering support i.e. "what can we do for you Perth consortium". He's looking at the Jets long term survival anyway, as more NRL clubs indicate a preference to have their own reserve grade sides.

The Bears on the other hand are a minor player but with their "non-negotiables" and "220k members" shtick are acting as if they are a major player. And are making demands about playing games out of a 10k suburban ground, instead of fully committing to their host city.

I know what minor player I would be listening to more.

Make no mistake, it's the NRL, Perth consortium and WA Government that are the major stakeholders in this process. Not second-tier NRL clubs.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Long term vision and strategy is not a rugby league thing.

So what are they doing now? in hindsight … a Perth NRL team would never have survived through Covid ..so probably this timing is a blessing in disguise

 

[blue bags]

Yep, this is where the Bears and to a certain extent, the NRL, need to understand. If the WA government is going to provide funding for an upgrade to HBF Park, then they are entitled to have all 12 games in Perth.

In those circumstances, the Bears wanting two games at NSO would be an insult to the WA government.

Big money. Sponsors. Exposure
If a few games played at North Sydney oval

 

[blue bags]

It’s not like the stadium is only used for rugby league

Union. Soccer

 

[blue bags]

Exactly. The WA Government will be expecting maximum bang for their buck with a price tag like that. They stand to gain nothing by having the new Perth team playing at least 2 games a year at a sub-par suburban stadium on the other side of the country that only holds 10k people. What economic benefit will that bring for WA?

Crowd's of 22,000 at North Sydney oval
Before
Big money. Sponsors. Exposure
That's economic appealing