Also unlike many Bears fans, i think if the CC don't get in they will walk away. There is only so many times you can regret something before that something just stops trying. The thing feels unimportant and not needed. That just leaves one more option for the area, move on in a different direction that does want you.
Union? Soccer? AFL? doesn't matter, whatever shows an interest.
As a Bears fan, I am fearful about what would happen if rejected this time. It would be difficult to expect the financiers to stump up funds again in advance for another bid, and what about Flo and Daisy? They are critical to any CC Bears bid, but they can't be expected to hang around forever - Daisy will make a top NRL coach, and he's about to enter his prime coaching years.
And as for fans, the following emotions are how most Bears feel towards the NRL - betrayed, disillusioned, frustrated, simmering anger. On the Coast it wouldn't be quite as strong, but they've been stuffed around almost as much and the locals, being from a regional area, have little faith in the NRL due to its 'city-centric' perception. Most view this bid as the last chance for the games administrators to redeem itself. That's not arrogance or a threat, just the way Bears feel.
Reward them and they'll come back to the NRL fold in droves, reject them and enough will walk away in disgust to mean any future bid I believe will be significantly weaker.
Memberships sold expire in 2012 at the latest. How can you ask people to rejoin as financial members of the CC Bears in 2013 if they have no concrete timetable for entry? The Bears need a concrete answer on their future by mid 2012 at the latest.
