The Western Bears are set to be officially appointed the NRL’s newest franchise.
That is according to News Corp, who report negotiations with officials from Western Australia and the North Sydney Bears were finalised on Friday afternoon.
It ends months of speculation over what the next expansion team will be.
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According to the report, the new franchise will be called the Western Bears rather than the Perth Bears with the former being a nod to Western Reds — WA’s first professional rugby league team.
The franchise will reportedly now finalise their submission before the August 14 deadline but are expected to be officially announced as the NRL’s 18th team by the end of this year.
The Western Bears will enter the competition in 2027, while a Papua New Guinea is tipped to join the following year.
According to News Corp, the agreement between WA and the Bears stipulates a new version of the logo with the main colours to be red, white and black. There will, however, be a tough of yellow as another nod to the Reds.
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In regards to home games, North Sydney Oval is expected to host a pre-season game, while a heritage match against the Bears’ rivals, Manly Sea Eagles, will either be played there too or at Allianz Stadium or Central Coast Stadium.
And the North Sydney Bears’ NSW Cup side — who currently lead the second tier competition — will feed to the NRL team.
It comes after fears last week the Bears’ push to return to the NRL could fall flat once again as WA weighed up resurrecting the Reds — without the Bears element.
WA also entertained the thought of aligning with the Newtown Jets, however the NRL’s preference has also been the Bears.
The North Sydney Bears have long been pushing to return to the competition and are set to finally have their prayers answered.
Source Agencies
