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WA BEARS

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
39,801
Hey …don’t get me wrong ..I’m in favour of their help on getting the stadium upgraded….ive said previously that both them and soccer should speak up about this as it would benefit them as well and help dilute the political arguments that it’s money being spent on Rugby League….

I’m not sure about training facilities though …I think they can all run their own race there …I assume Twiggy can and has already seen to the Force’s needs in that respect ..

I think it’s a pipe dream about Twiggy buying the Bears …unfortunately for our game …
Union already got a high performance centre funded by the govt

They were ticked off when the aru kicked the force out hence their concerns on building another coe for nrl and then losing their club again

I don’t think the force have much future anyway. Super rugby can’t support four teams and he’s beating a dead horse

Reality is an nrl team will crowd them out of the market place.

The bears will totally dominate the force in terms of crowds and media attention
 

i0Nic

Juniors
Messages
498
Finally someone from Union coming forward to pitch for stadium upgrades. It’s absurd that soccer, union and league don’t come together more often around these shared goals. Especially with Perth it’s now crying out for a premium rectangular stadium.

Maybe don’t even bother upgrading hbf and instead all three codes should come together, pitch for and get a 35k rectangular stadium built in Burswood. It would also mean no disruption to the season for the bears.
 

blue bags

Coach
Messages
10,005
Hey …don’t get me wrong ..I’m in favour of their help on getting the stadium upgraded….ive said previously that both them and soccer should speak up about this as it would benefit them as well and help dilute the political arguments that it’s money being spent on Rugby League….

I’m not sure about training facilities though …I think they can all run their own race there …I assume Twiggy can and has already seen to the Force’s needs in that respect ..

I think it’s a pipe dream about Twiggy ever buying into the Bears …unfortunately for our game …
His company
Squadron Energy
is Dragon's major sponsor
On the centre front of jersey
Energy company
Has invested a lot into the Wollongong and surrounding areas in green energy
 

Twizzle

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
154,632
Yeah probably. Just not sure if Arthur has a good name amongst players.

As an Eels fan I can tell you that the players liked him more than the fans did

Mind you I'm not a BA fan boy but he did get an average line up to a GF, he is experienced and probabaly the best option for say thier first 5 years to get them to mid table for example. If they want to kick on from there I'd say they will need to upgrade on BA.
 

BuffaloRules

Coach
Messages
16,348
Hunter Mariner's as well

On a side note … were the Hunter Mariners the most unpopular team in the history of top level Rugby League? Hated in their home town and their one year of existence coincided with the Knights first premiership win ..

They actually had a few good players and the Storm was able to pick them over and get their premiership winning spine two years later with Ross, Hill, Kimmorely and Swain all passing through the Mariners along the way
 

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
Messages
1,518

Family photo discovery like a Bears hug from the past​

The news the Bears are being readmitted to the NRL has triggered a raft of powerful emotions for their devoted and long-suffering fans, demonstrating the power of sporting teams to unite families and create cherished memories, writes Lisa Mayoh.
Lisa Mayoh Lisa Mayoh

2 min read
May 2, 2025 - 5:00AM
https://archive.md/hxzas#comments

My Dad was a huge North Sydney Bears supporter. One of those unwavering, diehard fans with all the gear, memories of team greats Jason Taylor, Billy Moore and Greg Florimo, and guilty of spreading their famed black, red and white as far as the eye can see – even though they haven’t played in the NRL for 26 years.
That passion flowed down to my brother Vinny, who was, of course, sent a million stories from friends when news broke last week that the Bears were coming back – prayers answered for so many (even if they’ll play in Perth, not down the road).
When he opened the first story, the main picture was the iconic shot of Florimo’s last game at North Sydney Oval, arms in the air as fans scream, wave and take photos of the moment as it went down in history.
Lisa Mayoh’s dad takes a photo of Greg Florimo farewelling fans at North Sydney Oval as Lisa’s brother Vinny (left of Florimo’s left arm) looks on in awe.

Lisa Mayoh’s dad takes a photo of Greg Florimo farewelling fans at North Sydney Oval as Lisa’s brother Vinny (left of Florimo’s left arm) looks on in awe.
Then, my brother zoomed in. Not only is he in the photo as a little boy (looking up in awe under Florimo’s left arm, in case you want to zoom in, too) but so is our Dad, who is standing in the crowd taking his own photo of the moment with an old school disposable camera. It’s a famous photo and one we’ve all seen a million times, but on the same day we find out the Mighty Bears are back – “the greatest day in 100 years” according to Moore – we discover that my family’s presence was there all along.
It’s especially poignant for us to find now, after Dad passed away. When he died unexpectedly after a short illness, Vinny took over Dad’s pizza place (Pizza D’Oro at St Leonards for the proud sister plug – tell him I sent you) and lovingly gave it a refresh in honour of Dad. Naturally, Norths jerseys line the walls and their signature colours are all over the joint.
Florimo was a popular player who has fought hard for the Bears to be returned to the NRL. (Photo by Getty Images)

Florimo was a popular player who has fought hard for the Bears to be returned to the NRL. (Photo by Getty Images)
But for us, the connection is so much more than a sports team. It’s a shared passion; a moment in time we cherish. So while the happy coincidence made us feel like we’d won the grand final, I also realised the important part sport can play in our lives. Our nine-year-old has recently gotten into going to NRL games with his dad, and they both love it: the buzz, the excitement, the thrill of the game. Experiencing it together, as my brother did with our Dad, as he does with his own girls now.
We love reliving those special memories with the next generation, who hopefully will do the same for their kids. Maybe for you it’s taking your nieces to cheer on the Swifts or the Sydney Kings help you relive your youth. Or perhaps the AFL is your thing. Whatever your passion, it’s gold. All of it.
Oh – and up the mighty Bears!

 

titoelcolombiano

First Grade
Messages
6,908
For reference: this means it will likely be functionally the same as the AFL and Giants/Suns/Swans/Crows/Power. The Swans "transition period" has been going since the early 90s. The Crows will leave AFL control in 2028 (in the constitution), while no fixed dates are known for the others.

In these cases, the club is member owned, but the AFL is the only actual member with voting rights.
Who cares, NRL site
 

Billythekid

First Grade
Messages
6,888
Have you ever read Tasmania's reports into the economic benefits of having an AFL team and the Mac Point stadium? To say that they were optimistic is an understatement. Their stadium report predicted that Mac Point would host a ridiculous amount of events a year, it was something similar to half a dozen rugby, soccer, and NRL events each annually...

I guarantee that WA's "analysis" of letting the Bear leech off them will be the same, and can you really expect any less when they're effectively doing a report into themselves?

Of course their own report will justify their own expenditure. It's like the police doing an investigation into themselves and finding themselves innocent.
Yeah this happens with all sports. Same when the V8’s come to Newcastle and you’ll hear how it’s bringing in a ridiculous amount of money. These things are ALWAYS massively inflated and there are studies that have shown that.
 

colly

Juniors
Messages
1,167
Someone's changed their tune! 5 years is a long time in politics and sport lol

Vlandys:

2020 “Forget wasting millions in rusted-on AFL states. We must undertake a full analysis [of growth markets] but Perth does not have a huge league audience. Then there’s the concern around flying NRL players five hours when we already hear criticism of player workloads and how taxing the season is on the stars of the game.”

2025: 'Perth is a goldmine for the NRL. It has enormous potential. It gives us a national footprint to a degree and the time zone works really well with our global and expansion strategies.'
By Rusted on states could mean SA TAS, which provide (sorry SA) no mutual benefits unlike WA! WA history had a team before so it's not in the definition of rusted on, especially with Union background, so Vlandy statement is consistent when open your blind eyes.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
72,546
By Rusted on states could mean SA TAS, which provide (sorry SA) no mutual benefits unlike WA! WA history had a team before so it's not in the definition of rusted on, especially with Union background, so Vlandy statement is consistent when open your blind eyes.
lol its an interview when the RL nines where in Perth and Vlad was asked if it was pre cursor to Perth getting a club.
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
39,801

Family photo discovery like a Bears hug from the past​

The news the Bears are being readmitted to the NRL has triggered a raft of powerful emotions for their devoted and long-suffering fans, demonstrating the power of sporting teams to unite families and create cherished memories, writes Lisa Mayoh.
Lisa Mayoh Lisa Mayoh

2 min read
May 2, 2025 - 5:00AM
https://archive.md/hxzas#comments

My Dad was a huge North Sydney Bears supporter. One of those unwavering, diehard fans with all the gear, memories of team greats Jason Taylor, Billy Moore and Greg Florimo, and guilty of spreading their famed black, red and white as far as the eye can see – even though they haven’t played in the NRL for 26 years.
That passion flowed down to my brother Vinny, who was, of course, sent a million stories from friends when news broke last week that the Bears were coming back – prayers answered for so many (even if they’ll play in Perth, not down the road).
When he opened the first story, the main picture was the iconic shot of Florimo’s last game at North Sydney Oval, arms in the air as fans scream, wave and take photos of the moment as it went down in history.
Lisa Mayoh’s dad takes a photo of Greg Florimo farewelling fans at North Sydney Oval as Lisa’s brother Vinny (left of Florimo’s left arm) looks on in awe.

Lisa Mayoh’s dad takes a photo of Greg Florimo farewelling fans at North Sydney Oval as Lisa’s brother Vinny (left of Florimo’s left arm) looks on in awe.
Then, my brother zoomed in. Not only is he in the photo as a little boy (looking up in awe under Florimo’s left arm, in case you want to zoom in, too) but so is our Dad, who is standing in the crowd taking his own photo of the moment with an old school disposable camera. It’s a famous photo and one we’ve all seen a million times, but on the same day we find out the Mighty Bears are back – “the greatest day in 100 years” according to Moore – we discover that my family’s presence was there all along.
It’s especially poignant for us to find now, after Dad passed away. When he died unexpectedly after a short illness, Vinny took over Dad’s pizza place (Pizza D’Oro at St Leonards for the proud sister plug – tell him I sent you) and lovingly gave it a refresh in honour of Dad. Naturally, Norths jerseys line the walls and their signature colours are all over the joint.
Florimo was a popular player who has fought hard for the Bears to be returned to the NRL. (Photo by Getty Images)

Florimo was a popular player who has fought hard for the Bears to be returned to the NRL. (Photo by Getty Images)
But for us, the connection is so much more than a sports team. It’s a shared passion; a moment in time we cherish. So while the happy coincidence made us feel like we’d won the grand final, I also realised the important part sport can play in our lives. Our nine-year-old has recently gotten into going to NRL games with his dad, and they both love it: the buzz, the excitement, the thrill of the game. Experiencing it together, as my brother did with our Dad, as he does with his own girls now.
We love reliving those special memories with the next generation, who hopefully will do the same for their kids. Maybe for you it’s taking your nieces to cheer on the Swifts or the Sydney Kings help you relive your youth. Or perhaps the AFL is your thing. Whatever your passion, it’s gold. All of it.
Oh – and up the mighty Bears!

That’s the generational support a foundation club can bring
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
39,801

“Burgess’ case was also endorsed by legendary coach Wayne Bennett – who did admit he would be reluctant to see him take the reins at a new franchise, though. “Of course Sam Burgess has a coaching future in the NRL but I wouldn’t want to see him go to a start-up club,” Bennett said.”
 
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