General Manager of NRL WA John Sackson has revealed we could have confirmation of expansion within the next fortnight and that it may include a partnership between the Perth-based bid and the North Sydney Bears.
Speaking to Perth’s 91.3 SportFM, Sackson also disclosed that a meeting next Wednesday hosted by the Australian Rugby League Commission and chairman Peter V’landys, in Melbourne, on the day of State of Origin Game II, may confirm who enters the NRL as the next three franchises.
“The talk continues that a Western Australian franchise is now favoured to be the 18th (franchise) but very pivotal that there’s a (ARLC) commission meeting in Melbourne on Wednesday which is the day of State of Origin in Melbourne,” Sackson said.
“So Peter V’landys and the commission are meeting and I think out of that, don’t be surprised, the interested parties, the interested consortiums for the 18th, 19th and 20th franchises, there’ll probably be expressions of interest, asking those organisations to develop their proposals and submit their proposals, there’ll be some deadlines.
“I believe that will be announced.”
Pushed further, the boss of NRL WA did not sound upset at a possible agreement with the Bears.
“Fingers crossed, the Peth consortium, whatever that might look like, be it a Bears partnership or whatever, that Western Australia can keep that momentum going and keep ticking the boxes, because that would be very exciting news.
“Watch this space, there will be a lot of noise about expansion coming up in the next seven to ten days.”
The Western Reds last competed in top-flight, professional rugby league in 1997.
Fantastic news. Perth gets a team, but with a foundation brands, colours and logo, and NSW pathways program and NSW cup team. It’ll be run out of Perth and the team will have a big support base in NSW. Like the Swans or Lions AFL linkages.
Stand alone for Perth. The Bears do not have a good reputation in joint ventures.