Big miners boost Perth's prospects
PERTH officials are targeting some of the state's biggest mining companies, including Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, as they attempt to secure enough backing to mount an indisputable case for a return to the NRL.
As South Sydney and Brisbane prepare to play at Perth's nib Stadium tonight, Western Australia Rugby League chief executive John Sackson confirmed his group had approached several mining giants. Among them is FMG, of which Forrest -- estimated to be worth more than $4 billion -- is majority shareholder. "I can't think of a more compatible partner than a major mining company, given mining is a major part of the economy," Sackson said. "It's a very, very good fit. It goes without saying."
Perth is considered one of the favourites to host an NRL team when the game expands, most likely in 2015 after chief executive David Gallop's comments last weekend that an expansion might be delayed.
The final decision will rest with the independent commission, which officials hope will move a step closer to reality on Tuesday when the inaugural eight commissioners are ratified.
The Australian revealed the identity of the eight last weekend, but the process has been delayed by a belated push from NSW to have western Sydney lawyer Jim Marsden included at the expense of former North Queensland and Ansett director Mark Williamson.
One of the most critical decisions facing the commission when it takes over running of the game from News Limited (publisher of The Australian) and the Australian Rugby League will be deciding when and where to expand. Perth, because of its favourable timeslot for television, is considered a frontrunner, along with a second Brisbane team.
The other regions bidding for entry are Ipswich, Wellington, central Queensland, NSW's central coast and Papua New Guinea. While the final decision will fall to the commission, it will be made after consultation with Gallop, the NRL clubs and the television broadcasters.
Sackson admits he was disappointed to hear Gallop say expansion was on hold until 2015, but said it wouldn't stop Perth pressing on with plans to return to the NRL -- the Western Reds were in the premiership from 1995 to 1997.
