Western bears

[Bondicigar]

Couldn't get any further away from north Sydney. I don't know if the die hard bears supporters would be too excited about home games.

[Rooster1908]

Yes bit of a joke . Much like the Bears Eagles / Tigers West . Someone always loses their identity.

[ccfc bondi]

Transplanted teams always seem a bit weird to me. Calling themselves Western Bears as a nod to the old team is also a bit strange, IMO, considering they changed their name to Perth Reds because presumably 'Western' didn't properly represent who they were.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Hopefully the franchise can make it work. Perth need a team.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

If there is a footy God the Bears need to be back in the top league. Yes, the tyranny of distance worries me though.

[Vasco]

If there is a footy God the Bears need to be back in the top league. Yes, the tyranny of distance worries me though.

There ain't one unfortunately.

The 2004 GF put that idea to rest.

[King Salvo]

So it's a nod to the Western Reds and North Sydney Bears. Western Bears to join the NRL in 2027

Apparently PNG will be announced as the 19th team next year and will join the NRL in 2028.

It will be interesting to see what the competition will look like when 18 teams then 19 teams and even 20 teams.

Either 18 teams 2 conferences of 9 teams—25 games (225 games overall)—play teams in the other conference once and teams in your conference twice. or 24 games play each other once and 7 teams twice.- 216 games overall

19 teams - 24 games play each other once and 6 teams twice. - 224 games overall

I have read though that NRL coaches and the RLPA want the season shortened—if a 20-team comp—19 games (190 games overall ).

Currently it's 24 games (204 games overall).

Need a 20th team so they can have 2 conferences with 2 divisions of 5 teams in each.Be able to sell this to US investors who are more than familiar with such comp setups: NFL and MLB. Additional sponsors too for the 2 conferences and divisions, naming rights, etc., plus the overall main sponsor of the NRL 23 games (230 games overall).

[Mr Whippet]

Perth bears as absurd as Perth Roosters, West Oz very parochial, especially anything regaerdening "Easteners", stuff sake Western Reds it should be.

[bondi.boy]

Couldn't get any further away from north Sydney. I don't know if the die hard bears supporters would be too excited about home games.

They should be happy the big black bear is still alive.
They will, if they want him to keep living, fill Nth Sydney Oval, or Allianz, or wherever the Sydney home games will be played.
Buy merchandise, support the Western Bears any way they can.

[bondi.boy]

Perth bears as absurd as Perth Roosters, West Oz very parochial, especially anything regaerdening "Easteners", stuff sake Western Reds it should be.

Someone should tell Westerners that it's one country, not two.
Norths Group now has money, and players to feed into the new team.
I like it...Western Bears...Bears fans exist.
It's yet to be seen what Western will bring to the table...if Western fans will buy season tickets and memberships every year into the future....if sponsors stay around long term, etc.

[Mr Whippet]

They should be happy the big black bear is still alive.
They will, if they want him to keep living, fill Nth Sydney Oval, or Allianz, or wherever the Sydney home games will be played.
Buy merchandise, support the Western Bears any way they can.

Sorry BB, cannot, will not an unable to agree.
So Perth travel east for half their games, and you are happy them giving up one or two home games to be played in Sydney?
So is this North Sydney by stealth or a W. Oz side ?
Another Sydney side, whoo whoo, lets go and dance with the fairies.

[Mickie Lane]

Im glad the Bears are coming back in some capacity, I always like the Bears &going to North Sydney Oval. I just home the Newtown Jets get back into the NRL.

[King Salvo]

The Roosters need to sign a permanent deal with the Central Coast Rugby League as the Bears no doubt will be eyeing off this area for Junior players both male and female. - 4100 registered players in WA according to 2022 stats

My understanding is that Western Bears will play only one game at North Sydney Oval against Manly Warringah Sea Eagles with the other games played at HBF Stadium in Perth - the same ground that the Roosters played the Dolphins at.

Melbourne Storm currently has a feeder club arrangement with North Sydney Bears in NSW Cup - so that will end

[Jacks Fur Coat]

The Roosters need to sign a permanent deal with the Central Coast Rugby League as the Bears no doubt will be eyeing off this area for Junior players both male and female. - 4100 registered players in WA according to 2022 stats

My understanding is that Western Bears will play only one game at North Sydney Oval against Manly Warringah Sea Eagles with the other games played at HBF Stadium in Perth - the same ground that the Roosters played the Dolphins at.

Melbourne Storm currently has a feeder club arrangement with North Sydney Bears in NSW Cup - so that will end

That's really disappointing. I fear the traditional Bears fans won't feel like that's the celebration they deserve.

[King Salvo]

Im glad the Bears are coming back in some capacity, I always like the Bears &going to North Sydney Oval. I just home the Newtown Jets get back into the NRL.

The WA bid consortium was also talking to the Newtown Jets about being a partner. The Jets pulled out though as they don't have the money, so talks with the Bears escalated when it was decided by the WA bid consortium that a JV was more viable than a standalone team.