The Actual 18th Team: Perth Bears

Perth should have never been dropped all those years ago, same with Adelaide.

I don’t think using the Bears name is going to help, those fans are long gone and would have been better off having a new name.
I disagree. Many of those ex fans have either lost most of their love for the sport or follow another team half-heartedly. I have several family members who are mad Bears supporters. They have never chosen another team to support and will be over the moon with this news.
 
From what i can gather , the franchise is going to be jointly owned , at least initially by the N R L and W A government .
Then the franchise being up for sale after a couple or few years .
Just can not see the logic or practicality on so much emphasis on the Bear ;s connection or input .
W A tends to be quite parochial with their sporting teams in particular and as far as having an identity and more so in the longer term , would think that a more local orientated support base would or should be more the case
If the precedent of relocating previous Victorian A F L clubs into N S W and Qld is any indication, hard to see it eventually going any other way .
No doubt still a N T H Sydney lower grade presence in the N R L in some form and sure that this will play a role ongoing but again in terms of identity , can only see it more focussed on a more Perth, or W A connection .
Always thought that footy players in South Africa , union or league was or has been an untapped source of playing talent and good opportunity to tale advantage of it with this new franchise .
 
From what i can gather , the franchise is going to be jointly owned , at least initially by the N R L and W A government .
Then the franchise being up for sale after a couple or few years .
Just can not see the logic or practicality on so much emphasis on the Bear ;s connection or input .
W A tends to be quite parochial with their sporting teams in particular and as far as having an identity and more so in the longer term , would think that a more local orientated support base would or should be more the case
If the precedent of relocating previous Victorian A F L clubs into N S W and Qld is any indication, hard to see it eventually going any other way .
No doubt still a N T H Sydney lower grade presence in the N R L in some form and sure that this will play a role ongoing but again in terms of identity , can only see it more focussed on a more Perth, or W A connection .
Always thought that footy players in South Africa , union or league was or has been an untapped source of playing talent and good opportunity to tale advantage of it with this new franchise .
I still believe the NRL has missed the chance to create a new team , something the WA fans can call “ our team “ , the WA Miners ( or anything really ).

The North Sydney wankers won’t even bother with the Perth bit, for them it’s the Bears , from North Sydney , same colours , same song , just playing home games bar a few in WA.

This is AFL central , the NRL will need every single supporter they can pick up and this is an excellent way to piss a lot off from the get go.
 
A bit torn on this.

Being a traditionalist I like to see old clubs being resurrected, especially whilst so many supporters are still living. Also a bit of "there but by the grace of God go we". Could have been MW in the wilderness.

Then there is so much that could be done with a fresh new club. I know it's a bit of a Rugby name but I could have seen something like 'The Perth Pirates'. Aggressive name. Like the Raiders horn, fire an old cannon at start. Fans could dress up, wear eye patches, heaps of appeal to kids (especially those living outside of Perth and North Sydney looking for a team to support).

Still great to see. And also potential of live televised league on the East Coast from early in day (NZ) to late at night (WA).
 
I dont have second , third of forth team
for me its all Manly or nothing

For me whether it is the bears the bulldogs or the broncos
They are all Irrelevant in my care factor
All teams are an opposition and the enemy on game day

Just because you do not support some one does not mean you do not have to admire the qualities they posses
The Bears have demonstrated the King of All Qualities . The Never say Die spirit
The Spirit that Prevails and Wins in the end
Congratulations to the Bears
 
I still believe the NRL has missed the chance to create a new team , something the WA fans can call “ our team “ , the WA Miners ( or anything really ).

The North Sydney wankers won’t even bother with the Perth bit, for them it’s the Bears , from North Sydney , same colours , same song , just playing home games bar a few in WA.

This is AFL central , the NRL will need every single supporter they can pick up and this is an excellent way to piss a lot off from the get go.
Wholeheartedly disagree.

I think its a great way to start a team, with a bit of identity and history.

Perth will get behind them. The under 30 market would have never experienced the Bears so for all intents and purposes it is a new team.

Maybe a few older, rusted on east coast expats may not warm but I've no doubt even they would go along to a few games just to see some footy.
 
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Wholeheartedly disagree.

I think its a great way to start a team, with a bit of identity and history.

Perth will get behind them. The under 30 market would have never experienced the Bears so for all intents and purposes it is a new team.

Maybe a few older, rusted on east coast expants may not warm but I've no doubt even they would go along to a few games just to see some footy.
Fair enough , and I guess we’ll see who’s right in a few years , if they are amazingly successful as the North Sydney Bears based in Perth, you’ll be bragging.

If they struggle for numbers and need constant NRL assistance for a decade , I guess I will.

I look at say the success of the Dolphins ( with huge local support already there ) V the Crushers ( albeit a different era ) but struggled from the get go as they were completely new.

I just think to not involve the existing , albeit small, WA rugby league community , is pretty dumb.
 

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