A North Sydney NRL Team ... from Perth?

The North Sydney Bears are set to return to the NRL, after a long negotiation between the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and the Western Australian government. 

WA Premier Roger Cook took to Instagram to announce the WA Government had “reached an agreement with the Australian Rugby League Commission to establish a new WA based NRL club”.

Cook said the new team would enter the NRL Premiership in 2027 or 2028.

The club will continue to wear the North Sydney Bears colours of red and black, and have committed to playing one home game a year at North Sydney Oval.

NRL boss Peter V’landys said he “would like to see [North Sydney Oval] upgraded for when it does happen”.

In the 2028 premiership, the Bears will be joined by another newly formed NRL franchise, the currently unnamed Papua New Guinea team based in Port Moresby. 

While the name of Western Bears was previously suggested by the ARLC, the Perth Bears has begun to circulate as the team's likely title.

Among the names considered as likely for the role of coach are former Eels coach Brad Arthur, Warrington Wolves coach Sam Burgess and Melbourne Storm legend Craig Bellamy.

Reacting to the news, former Bears star Billy Moore stated “With my lovely wife, I’ve had a glass of champagne already today. This is the biggest day since 1922.”

The last game the North Sydney Bears played was on August 28, 1999, against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville. The Bears won 28–18.