It's Official. Perth Bears 100% confirmed as the NRLs newest team.

[leeroy*NRL*]

Numbers released on Thursday at Press Conference

We've got 5,000 registered tackle participants and we've got 17,000 touch participants already and that number is just going to skyrocket,” Abdo said.

(this is measure is really good) When you think there is not even a NRL Team in PERTH

Our great sport , all its variants
will explode with participants in the coming 10 years , great to see young WA girls & boys getting of their bums playing sport
being healthy & getting involved in a sport that is the most watched in the land,
& where they can represent their country

100% I can see a HUGE lift in participants in the Tag / Touch comps... very easy to setup and good way to get into the game..

[azif]

I agree with Billy here , an interesting story going around too , that HE might be on the radar for the Bears if Bellamy signs a new deal with the Storm
and
If Bellyache leaves the Storm he will go to the Bears for enormous $$, & Billy will take the reigns at the Storm in 2026.

back to the Story
Bears 1st order of business will be their coach , others in the mix are Brad Arthur & Sam Burgess ...needs to happen soon.
a few months max.
Then the NRL will tell all clubs the Bears will be able to talk to players off contract in 2027.... now !!
& not have to wait til Nov 1st

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/bi ... f5e9c080b5

[leeroy*NRL*]

I agree with Billy here , an interesting story going around too , that HE might be on the radar for the Bears if Bellamy signs a new deal with the Storm
and
If Bellyache leaves the Storm he will go to the Bears for enormous $$, & Billy will take the reigns at the Storm in 2026.

back to the Story
Bears 1st order of business will be their coach , others in the mix are Brad Arthur & Sam Burgess ...needs to happen soon.
a few months max.
Then the NRL will tell all clubs the Bears will be able to talk to players off contract in 2027.... now !!
& not have to wait til Nov 1st

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/bi ... f5e9c080b5

Yeah definitely need more time before Nov 1st
as the Move in itself is across country..
players would need to pruchase houses and everything long distance.
i have no problem with this a few months leeway..

i am pretty sure it will be Brad Arthur,
The Bears and nrl are already putting things into effect

Joe Hockey is set to join the board

[Beaussie]

Apparently the NRL is set to take over Western Australia. The AFL shaking in fear of pending “demolition job”.


NRL must lure Gina Rinehart, Andrew Forrest to rugby league to complete Perth takeover
Dean Ritchie
May 13, 2025 - 7:30PM

https://www.codesports.com.au/nrl/nrl-m ... 6c8e30a934

The NRL must bash down the front door to convert an insecure and floundering Western Australia to rugby league by approaching two insanely rich Perth business people – worth a combined total of $90 billion – to help with the demolition job.

Perth is ready to be shaken to its core and, as always, Peter V’landys’ timing is exquisite.

WA is in sporting decline amid local fears the new Perth Bears might sweep into town and steal the state’s hearts and minds. Rugby league is ready to ride in on a white horse.


The NRL’s expansion into Perth is perfect timing by Peter V'landys.

The reaction from some in WA to the Bears’ NRL inclusion in 2027 smacked of trepidation and dread about a new cocksure and buoyant sport stealing their dwindling status.

A front-page story in mainstream West Australian newspaper, the day the Bears were announced, moaned ‘The Bad News Bears’ and lamented the WA Government’s decision to outlay $65m to expand the NRL competition.

Never before has an Australian state been so hypersensitive about protecting their patch.

The NRL should now play on Perth’s self-doubt by trying to lure WA-based mega-billionaires Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest woman, and Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest to rugby league.

Forrest is a well-known sports fan and I’m told Rinehart thrives on helping WA teams overcome sporting franchises from the more glamorous eastern states.

Rinehart is worth around $46 billion while Forrest has a cool $33 billion in the bank – and they love backing WA. Imagine the levels of paranoia if V’landys can secure one or both to help Perth Bears?

Forrest has committed millions of dollars to rugby union so why not rugby league?

There are others too. Just last year, Henley and Partners’ World’s Wealthiest Cities Report stated WA housed eight billionaires, 64 centimillionaires and 33,600 millionaires.

A stream of bucks for rugby league would have AFL shaking with fear.

Perth Bears need to secure immediate success to start eroding the AFL’s stranglehold in Perth. It will be a challenge, particularly with questions over the state’s junior pathways, but it can be done.

Here’s why.

West Coast Eagles are hapless and sit dead-last having lost all nine games this season. Fremantle are marginally better, having won four matches, and sit in 11th position in the AFL ladder.

The Eagles were once known as the Manchester United of Australian sport. They are now on-the-nose, on and off field, while the Dockers are perennial losers. Fremantle’s lack of success in winning a flag has earned them a nickname – Flagmantle.

And it could get even worse with reports emerging West Coast superstar Harley Reid wants out for a return to Melbourne.

Western Force is sitting third last on the Super Rugby table with four wins from 12 games this season.

The once-great Western Australian cricket team ran last in the 2024/25 Sheffield Shield season with three victories from ten games.

Perth Glory were hopeless and ran last on the A-League competition table with just four wins from 26 games. The only small success for WA this year was the Perth Wildcats, who ran third on the NBL table.

Expansion has given the NRL a decisive edge over the AFL with the Bears offering rugby league a presence in the west.

The NRL is now played in multiple areas and regions where AFL is invisible. There’s Wollongong, Newcastle and Townsville along with overseas locations in Auckland and, shortly, Port Moresby.

With a looming World Cup and the Las Vegas extravaganza now an annual sensation, rugby league here and abroad has never looked bigger nor brighter.

The west is now there to be won and it seems V’landys has waved his magic wand yet again.

[Fred]

Will be interesting. WA is more crazy about their Aussie rules than Victorians - so will be interesting.

[azif]

pathetic little fumblers
tiniest sport on the planet ..... attempting to muscle Australias most watched sport around & intimidate them

I love PVL's answer to a question

" so did you consult with derpball about your move to WA " ?
" no , I don't think KFC consult Hungry Jacks when they're setting up a new restaurant do they ,
we couldn't care less what they think of our new team there "

PVL
sticking to the wannabees of Australian sport , twatball

[leeroy*NRL*]

another dumb article by Dean Richie LOL

I use to follow the bloke on twitter until i blocked his dumb posts.

[leeroy*NRL*]

Will be interesting. WA is more crazy about their Aussie rules than Victorians - so will be interesting.

WA Love there AFL that is very true, but they are more open to other sports and report on sports more than
the Bubble of Melbourne i find >>

Melbourne is really super glued to AFL in every single way..

NRL will not Conquer Perth >> though they will get a good following
Bigger than the Storm, and be NRLs top 8 biggest supported teams

People keep saying WA Reds failed last time they did not...

they had bigger crowds than Sydney teams at the time>>
and they played at the WACA

it was the ARL teams that dumped Perth And Murdoch going BANG!

[Fred]

Will be interesting - I think they will build a decent fan base. Whether this transcends into grassroots may be another thing - Storm have a great fan base, get good crowds but grassroots, whilst it has grown, is still extremely small compared to many other other sports.

[leeroy*NRL*]

Will be interesting - I think they will build a decent fan base. Whether this transcends into grassroots may be another thing - Storm have a great fan base, get good crowds but grassroots, whilst it has grown, is still extremely small compared to many other other sports.

yes Small 100% (cause there is no team)
there are 17k in grassroots in Perth currently between Contact RL and touch RL
this is currently more than Melbourne >>
with no Team in perth..

this is just naturally set to Boost once entry happens in 2027

Melbourne was left to rot and nothing was done for 20 plus years.
its only now since 2022 numbers have rose considerably

[Fred]

I think touch is its own sport and doesn't equate to interst in RL - lots of people play touch casually for fun. If they were playing RL that would be different. It's the same in QLD where I live - lots of people play touch for fun and fitness that have no interest in NRL or RL at all.

Agree- re: Melbourne being left to rot. They really stuffed it up at the start. Numbers have risen on a percentage basis but this is from a low base - actual numbers are still quite small comparatively. You'd be pressed to see a kid with a RL ball playing RL in a Melbourne schoo (I am sure there are some). You will see soccer, basketball etc. but hard pressed to see RL played casually in schools - although the NRL are doing better in this area I agree and may even have a school based comp up I believe (if not - they should).

I think Perth and the bears will do well. I don't think the article above does any favours or helps in any way - trying to create code war type things - as this is so 80s type thinking. Same goes for articles bagging the Bears over there. People just don't care. What will put the people of WA off is if they see the team as a Sydney based team being planted there - and not a "real" WA team - they have very thin skins about being taken for granted by the East coast in general - which the NRL should use to their advantage I think and really push that idea of it being a Perth team and finally Perth have their own team etc etc.

[Fred]

Quick AI search - seems taken from NRL Vic website


Rugby League in Victorian schools is thriving, with five schools designated as Academy Schools offering specialized support and coaching as part of the curriculum. These schools, supported by Melbourne Storm, are Mount Ridley P-12 College, The Grange P-12 College, Manor Lakes Secondary College, Vic University Secondary College, and Hallam Senior College. Additionally, School Sport Victoria offers opportunities for schools to participate in state and national championships.

[azif]

Will be interesting. WA is more crazy about their Aussie rules than Victorians - so will be interesting.

WA Love there AFL that is very true, but they are more open to other sports and report on sports more than
the Bubble of Melbourne i find >>

Melbourne is really super glued to AFL in every single way..

NRL will not Conquer Perth >> though they will get a good following
Bigger than the Storm, and be NRLs top 8 biggest supported teams

People keep saying WA Reds failed last time they did not...

they had bigger crowds than Sydney teams at the time>>
and they played at the WACA

it was the ARL teams that dumped Perth And Murdoch going BANG!

Perth has had an influx of
South Africans , Kiwis , poms ... & aussies from QLD , NSW & the ACT who have zero interest in the fumbling bumbling shit show from Vicdumboh
Perth has had an influx of people who are.... normal... afterall & they will naturally migrate to a sport more in tune with their normality

[leeroy*NRL*]

I think touch is its own sport and doesn't equate to interst in RL - lots of people play touch casually for fun. If they were playing RL that would be different. It's the same in QLD where I live - lots of people play touch for fun and fitness that have no interest in NRL or RL at all.

Agree- re: Melbourne being left to rot. They really stuffed it up at the start. Numbers have risen on a percentage basis but this is from a low base - actual numbers are still quite small comparatively. You'd be pressed to see a kid with a RL ball playing RL in a Melbourne schoo (I am sure there are some). You will see soccer, basketball etc. but hard pressed to see RL played casually in schools - although the NRL are doing better in this area I agree and may even have a school based comp up I believe (if not - they should).

I think Perth and the bears will do well. I don't think the article above does any favours or helps in any way - trying to create code war type things - as this is so 80s type thinking. Same goes for articles bagging the Bears over there. People just don't care. What will put the people of WA off is if they see the team as a Sydney based team being planted there - and not a "real" WA team - they have very thin skins about being taken for granted by the East coast in general - which the NRL should use to their advantage I think and really push that idea of it being a Perth team and finally Perth have their own team etc etc.

100% Im hoping the NRL do not buckle to pressure from Sydney and let bears have 1 game per year.. (A Trial game ok)
but all games in PERTH all 12 games.. (perth bears) strickly perth team with grassroots feeder club from NSW>

sure did stuff it up with Melbourne Storm and in development etc etc school programs and clubs grassroots.
they literally did nothing the NRL and the Storm (big mistake)

Touch is exact version of RL without contact.
yes people will play it and not really watch NRL
i Play Cricket and some don't really watch the cricket either.
that would be with all sports..

Its proven fact, more and more people are getting involved in touch, tag in Rugby League as it is a non contact version of the game
it is helping with interest in the game.. especially with the Women.
clubs are involved and have there logo on the shorts and shirt. depending which area or city you are from..

RUGBY LEAGUE'S Growth is through Touch and Tag.

[Terry]

I think touch is its own sport and doesn't equate to interst in RL - lots of people play touch casually for fun. If they were playing RL that would be different. It's the same in QLD where I live - lots of people play touch for fun and fitness that have no interest in NRL or RL at all.

Agree- re: Melbourne being left to rot. They really stuffed it up at the start. Numbers have risen on a percentage basis but this is from a low base - actual numbers are still quite small comparatively. You'd be pressed to see a kid with a RL ball playing RL in a Melbourne schoo (I am sure there are some). You will see soccer, basketball etc. but hard pressed to see RL played casually in schools - although the NRL are doing better in this area I agree and may even have a school based comp up I believe (if not - they should).

I think Perth and the bears will do well. I don't think the article above does any favours or helps in any way - trying to create code war type things - as this is so 80s type thinking. Same goes for articles bagging the Bears over there. People just don't care. What will put the people of WA off is if they see the team as a Sydney based team being planted there - and not a "real" WA team - they have very thin skins about being taken for granted by the East coast in general - which the NRL should use to their advantage I think and really push that idea of it being a Perth team and finally Perth have their own team etc etc.

100% Im hoping the NRL do not buckle to pressure from Sydney and let bears have 1 game per year.. (A Trial game ok)
but all games in PERTH all 12 games.. (perth bears) strickly perth team with grassroots feeder club from NSW>

sure did stuff it up with Melbourne Storm and in development etc etc school programs and clubs grassroots.
they literally did nothing the NRL and the Storm (big mistake)

Touch is exact version of RL without contact.
yes people will play it and not really watch NRL
i Play Cricket and some don't really watch the cricket either.
that would be with all sports..

Its proven fact, more and more people are getting involved in touch, tag in Rugby League as it is a non contact version of the game
it is helping with interest in the game.. especially with the Women.
clubs are involved and have there logo on the shorts and shirt. depending which area or city you are from..

RUGBY LEAGUE'S Growth is through Touch and Tag.

One home game at North Sydney Oval per year would be ok. No point affiliating with the Bears and not play at least one home game there. And of course they'll play in Sydney 5 or 6 more times a year depending on the draw giving Sydney Bears fans plenty to support.

Touch football is one of the best things Rugby League has going for it. No other sport has got a non contact version that so closely resembles the main game. It was a very smart move years ago for the NRL to buy it out and fold it into the ARLC.