"Classic Peter V'Landys": Western Bears deal expected to eventuate despite tense relations between WA government and NRL

Journalist Andrew Webster has revealed that a deal to introduce the Western Bears to the NRL is still achievable despite critical public comments between Western Australia Premier Roger Cook and Peter V'Landys.

The Western Bears, the proposed 18th side to the NRL, was to be a partnership between the North Sydney Bears, one of rugby league’s foundation clubs, and Western Australia that would see the side based in Perth.

The team seemed very likely as a deal with a Perth consortium was reportedly set to be reached soon after the Papua New Guinea expansion side was confirmed. However, the deal fell over, leaving Peter V’Landys to attempt to forge a deal with the Western Australia government.

Webster said that the state government and the NRL are at odds over the amount the government should contribute.

“They were a lock to be the next team in 2027… but late last year Peter V’Landys and the commission pulled the plug,” Webster told Morning Glory with Matty Johns.

“He’s been negotiating with Roger Cook, the WA premier and everyone seemed to think it was going to happen… it’s been put on the backburner because of the March 8 election.

“Because of the money they’re asking for… it’s blown up and Roger Cook made some inflammatory comments yesterday saying there’s no way we’re going to pay that.

“I spoke to Peter V’Landys just some time ago and he said the deal was never on.”

The NRL were reportedly asking for $320 million from the WA government to be invested in stadium upgrades and grassroots.

Despite the deal stalling, Webster still expects the team to eventually be introduced.

“I reckon it will happen,” Webster said.

“This is classic Peter V’Landys just playing hardball with the government just as he did with Anthony Albanese and the Federal Government to get that funding for Papua New Guinea.

“I think it’s still on the table. I think the dust will settle after the state election in Western Australia.”

Papua New Guinea will become the seventeenth team in the NRL in 2028, while other sides including a second New Zealand team and Mana-Pasifika side both expected to submit bids to become the eighteenth team.