Lol pretty sure this is just buzz opinion here but he would’ve got it from somewhere right? guess there’s a plan b for bears. What’s plan b for Perth?
all smoke and mirrors. In a fortnight time it’ll be all sweet for west Aussie bears.
THE KIWI BEARS?
The Bears will return to the NRL as part of the code’s expansion plans — with or without a team from Western Australia.
Independent commission chairman Peter V’landys insists he wants the famous old club and its fanatical army of supporters back in the fold no matter what.
It will ease the fears of long-time Bears supporters who have been watching the bumpy negotiations in recent months between the WA government and the NRL over the inclusion of a Perth side — preparing themselves for the possibility of more heartbreak.
V’landys is already on the record around his plans for the Bears.
“Everywhere I go, that is always the question … when are you bringing back the Bears?” he said.
“I didn’t realise they had so many old fans. They’re so passionate, that’s what you want.
“Rugby league lost a lot of fans when the Bears left the competition. We want them back.”
The NRL will resume talks with the West Australian government after the March 8 election.
WA premier Roger Cook has baulked at committing financial support for an NRL side while in election mode in an AFL state.
Still, the NRL remains hopeful of securing funding from the west for an 18th team and the redevelopment of Perth’s HBF Stadium to seat more than 25,000 fans.
If not, the NRL will look at other options to include the Bears.
Even a second team out of New Zealand would work with the Bears logo.
North Sydney has had a number of Kiwi greats over the years including champion forward Mark Graham, Test half Clayton Friend, super-boot Darryl Halligan and five-eighth Olsen Filipaina.
Whatever happens, the NRL will need to make a decision by mid-year before opening negotiations and taking a scheduling plan to TV networks for the next broadcast deal.