Perth Bears confirmed for NRL – what does this mean for AFL in WA?

[leeroy*NRL*]

I think people with no interest in rl or ru play tag etc.

18 rl clubs - that’s impressive for perth. 13 regional RL in WA - that’s amazing. I’m going to have to look this up.

https://nrlwa.com.au/nrl-wa-clubs/

[azif]

I think people with no interest in rl or ru play tag etc.

18 rl clubs - that’s impressive for perth. 13 regional RL in WA - that’s amazing. I’m going to have to look this up.

LOL! what a load of rubbish!!!!

people with no interest in RL or RU play TAG !!!

i play Tag Footy every Tuesday >>>
pretty much everyone who plays loves the game and some love both codes.

why do people play TAG OR TOUCH ????

because alot of people do not like being belted in tackles or smashed running the ball!!!
not everyone wants to be in rehab session after each game FREDDY...

FREDDY OH FREDDY !!!

oh don't underestimate how tight the zipper on that bubble fwed dwells in is

[leeroy*NRL*]

I think people with no interest in rl or ru play tag etc.

18 rl clubs - that’s impressive for perth. 13 regional RL in WA - that’s amazing. I’m going to have to look this up.

LOL! what a load of rubbish!!!!

people with no interest in RL or RU play TAG !!!

i play Tag Footy every Tuesday >>>
pretty much everyone who plays loves the game and some love both codes.

why do people play TAG OR TOUCH ????

because alot of people do not like being belted in tackles or smashed running the ball!!!
not everyone wants to be in rehab session after each game FREDDY...

FREDDY OH FREDDY !!!

oh don't underestimate how tight the zipper on that bubble fwed dwells in is

ohh mate that tops the CAKE>>

its like saying

People who play Indoor Cricket >>> do not like cricket..
(sorry Freddy but unless you come up with some real good story) your stuck in a BIG BUBBLE) beyond recovery

[azif]

Its more likely skinny little white wankers who fumble bumble & miss in NSW & QLD , also watch RL on TV & at the ground too
they certainly don't watch the bumbling clown show they play

These kids simply can't play RL , they're skinny ... & have no skills what so ever .. so they choose a sport that suits their skills & they can't get hurt
But
when it comes time to watching a real sport on TV or at the gound
Like it is for most people in QLD & NSW
its the NRL

[makingnrlfansgowacko]

LOL! what a load of rubbish!!!!

people with no interest in RL or RU play TAG !!!

i play Tag Footy every Tuesday >>>
pretty much everyone who plays loves the game and some love both codes.

why do people play TAG OR TOUCH ????

because alot of people do not like being belted in tackles or smashed running the ball!!!
not everyone wants to be in rehab session after each game FREDDY...

FREDDY OH FREDDY !!!

oh don't underestimate how tight the zipper on that bubble fwed dwells in is

ohh mate that tops the CAKE>>

its like saying

People who play Indoor Cricket >>> do not like cricket..
(sorry Freddy but unless you come up with some real good story) your stuck in a BIG BUBBLE) beyond recovery

people play sports like touch, netball, futsal for fitness and social reasons!

the touch league is big with the Expat poms and SA folk ask them about proper league and they done leave you wondering especially the SOuth Africans

Talking to people from the outside world and not being afraid to leave the house i know seems a strange concept for NRL fans especially to one especially on here

[Fred]

I think people with no interest in rl or ru play tag etc.

18 rl clubs - that’s impressive for perth. 13 regional RL in WA - that’s amazing. I’m going to have to look this up.

LOL! what a load of rubbish!!!!

people with no interest in RL or RU play TAG !!!

i play Tag Footy every Tuesday >>>
pretty much everyone who plays loves the game and some love both codes.

why do people play TAG OR TOUCH ????

because alot of people do not like being belted in tackles or smashed running the ball!!!
not everyone wants to be in rehab session after each game FREDDY...

FREDDY OH FREDDY !!!

Know heaps of people who play tag and no interest in nrl or union - so ?

[Fred]

LOL! what a load of rubbish!!!!

people with no interest in RL or RU play TAG !!!

i play Tag Footy every Tuesday >>>
pretty much everyone who plays loves the game and some love both codes.

why do people play TAG OR TOUCH ????

because alot of people do not like being belted in tackles or smashed running the ball!!!
not everyone wants to be in rehab session after each game FREDDY...

FREDDY OH FREDDY !!!

oh don't underestimate how tight the zipper on that bubble fwed dwells in is

ohh mate that tops the CAKE>>

its like saying

People who play Indoor Cricket >>> do not like cricket..
(sorry Freddy but unless you come up with some real good story) your stuck in a BIG BUBBLE) beyond recovery

I disagree Leroy - I would love to play touch if my body allowed these days - only time I did in the day was at footy training - we would have a match as a bit of fun. It’s a fun game ans social. I played a bit of mixed indoor netball socially in the day but not a netball fan. And indoor netbsll (and cricket) are a lot closer to their sport in likeness. If I could, I would play touch - but not an rl or ru fan. Maybe cause you’re in a rl state there a lots who play touch with an interest I Union or league. There is plenty who play touch socially in Victoria who have no interest in rl or union. Touch is a great fun social game it looks - that’s the attraction I feel.

[Skippy Steve]

The West Coast Eagles still have 100 thousand members, and they are a basket case on the field. That shows the passion for AFL in WA. If WA had to put together a state of Origin team, they would be taking top players from all the other AFL teams. AFL is very strong in WA, and it would take years for the Thugby to gain any strength over there. Look how long it took the Swans to become popular in Sydney.

[leeroy*NRL*]

I think people with no interest in rl or ru play tag etc.

18 rl clubs - that’s impressive for perth. 13 regional RL in WA - that’s amazing. I’m going to have to look this up.

LOL! what a load of rubbish!!!!

people with no interest in RL or RU play TAG !!!

i play Tag Footy every Tuesday >>>
pretty much everyone who plays loves the game and some love both codes.

why do people play TAG OR TOUCH ????

because alot of people do not like being belted in tackles or smashed running the ball!!!
not everyone wants to be in rehab session after each game FREDDY...

FREDDY OH FREDDY !!!

Know heaps of people who play tag and no interest in nrl or union - so ?

you stated, People with no interest in RL or RU play tag (which is entirely untrue)
You than state Touch and RL are not alike ??

they are exactly alike in every single way.

One is Tackling
the other is Touch.

(the games of touch you played at school or socially probably did not follow the same rules.
most leagues play around Australia that align

[leeroy*NRL*]

oh don't underestimate how tight the zipper on that bubble fwed dwells in is

ohh mate that tops the CAKE>>

its like saying

People who play Indoor Cricket >>> do not like cricket..
(sorry Freddy but unless you come up with some real good story) your stuck in a BIG BUBBLE) beyond recovery

people play sports like touch, netball, futsal for fitness and social reasons!

the touch league is big with the Expat poms and SA folk ask them about proper league and they done leave you wondering especially the SOuth Africans

Talking to people from the outside world and not being afraid to leave the house i know seems a strange concept for NRL fans especially to one especially on here

I will use your logic,

People in QLD AND NSW only play AFL>>>> they hate the bloody thing... but they play AFL because it involves
heaps of running minimal contact and is good for fitness..

[leeroy*NRL*]

I think people with no interest in rl or ru play tag etc.

18 rl clubs - that’s impressive for perth. 13 regional RL in WA - that’s amazing. I’m going to have to look this up.

LOL! what a load of rubbish!!!!

people with no interest in RL or RU play TAG !!!

i play Tag Footy every Tuesday >>>
pretty much everyone who plays loves the game and some love both codes.

why do people play TAG OR TOUCH ????

because alot of people do not like being belted in tackles or smashed running the ball!!!
not everyone wants to be in rehab session after each game FREDDY...

FREDDY OH FREDDY !!!

Know heaps of people who play tag and no interest in nrl or union - so ?

I will use your logic,

People in QLD AND NSW only play AFL>>>> they hate the bloody thing... but they play AFL because it involves
heaps of running minimal contact and is good for fitness..

[Fred]

I never said that - I said playing touch does not mean you are a rl or ru fan ? I’d play touch for sure - looks like fun - but not a rl or ru fan for instance.

[leeroy*NRL*]

I never said that - I said playing touch does not mean you are a rl or ru fan ? I’d play touch for sure - looks like fun - but not a rl or ru fan for instance.

Fred wrote: Fri Jul 25, 2025 2:24 pm
I think people with no interest in rl or ru play tag etc.


( again i will lose your logic)

People play AFL in Northern states just for FUN>> not because they like the sport>>

your theory goes both ways

[Quolls2019]

Well, it’s official — the NRL has confirmed its 18th team will be based in Perth, with the rebranded Perth Bears (via a North Sydney partnership) entering the comp in 2027.

After years of lobbying, the WA government and ARLC have struck a $50m deal to bring NRL footy back west. Rugby league hasn't had a presence there since the Western Reds folded in the '90s, but now it’s back — with a vengeance.

So here’s the question for the footy heads here:

What does this mean for the AFL in WA — and beyond?

Will this challenge West Coast and Fremantle’s grip on Perth sports fans?

Are we about to see a battle for juniors, broadcast space, and stadium scheduling at Optus?

Does this make AFL’s NT or second QLD team more urgent to keep its lead?

Could a third WA AFL team ever be on the cards to match it?

While AFL remains king in WA, this is a reminder the NRL is playing the long game with expansion, especially ahead of PNG joining in 2028. Curious how everyone sees this playing out, especially with a city like Perth already housing two AFL teams.

Does this spark genuine rivalry? Or is it a case of two different worlds coexisting?

...

After the initial “buzz” they will be about as popular as the force and have as much impact.

how can you compare the FORCE to the BEARS?

BEARS are ran under the NRL which is massive in 60% of the population.
FORCE are run by RA who are being run by muppets..

Bears will have everything and more the FORCE wish they could have after 20 years of running in YEAR 1 of PERTH BEARS

League is big in (some) of North Eastern Australia.
Not big in Western Australia…union is more popular and will battle with the Force there.
If RA doesn’t collapse, which it may well do, Force will take the honours.
Only time will tell.

[Fred]

I never said that - I said playing touch does not mean you are a rl or ru fan ? I’d play touch for sure - looks like fun - but not a rl or ru fan for instance.

Fred wrote: Fri Jul 25, 2025 2:24 pm
I think people with no interest in rl or ru play tag etc.


( again i will lose your logic)

People play AFL in Northern states just for FUN>> not because they like the sport>>

your theory goes both ways

I said people can play touch and have no interest in union or league ? As I said, I’d happily play touch but no interest in either union or league. I’m sure people play touch who have no interest in Aussie rules either - but I’m sure there are lots of people who play touch in AFL states that follow AFL and have no interest in league or union. I’m not sure why that is too hard to follow? You can play a sport like touch and not like another sport ? Or like for that matter?

And on Perth, not sure on the numbers who play touch but rugby league only had about 5500 registered players.