NRL expansion latest as ARLC chair Peter V’landys slams Perth speculation

Peter V’landys concedes talks over a Perth expansion team are at a crucial stage, but has a message for critics who believe the NRL’s strategic plan for a 20-team league by 2030 is in tatters.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys insists the Perth Bears are not dead amid fears the NRL’s expansion plans could sensationally collapse over a $120 million funding dispute with the West Australian government.

The ARLC’s expansion masterplan was rocked by a report which alleged the WA government had rejected an NRL request to provide $12m in annual funding for the next decade to support an 18th team.

The demise of a West Australian bid would represent a disaster for the North Sydney Bears, whose hopes of a triumphant return to the big league in 2027 hinge on a successful alliance with Perth.

The Bears’ NRL hopes aren’t dead yet. Art: Boo Bailey

Speculation of negotiating ructions involving the WA government come on the back of the NRL rejecting eight bid proposals, including a Perth-based consortium led by Cash Converters tycoon Peter Cumins.

That has triggered concerns the NRL’s strategic plan for a 20-team league by 2030 is in tatters at a time when the ARLC has also rebuffed three proposals from New Zealand consortia in Christchurch.

V’landys concedes there is a possibility talks with the WA government could fail, but he remains confident the Perth Bears will be unveiled as the NRL’s 18th team within two to four weeks.

“I am absolutely confident that we will have 20 teams,” V’landys said.

“Don’t write off Perth and say they are gone — the media speculation about that is not correct.

“We are in deep discussions with the WA government right now so how people can suggest things have been rejected is beyond me.

“I believe it (the birth of the Perth Bears as the 18th team) will happen, but there’s always a possibility that the Perth team won’t happen.

ARL Commission chair Peter V'landys says negotiations with the WA Government are continuing. Picture: Richard Dobson

“We have to be realistic.

“The negotiations with the WA government are continuing. Nothing has been concluded or rejected.

“We are still in talks and they will continue for the next few weeks.

“We will see what eventuates with those discussions and they will conclude either with a (Perth) team or without a team.”

V’landys stressed the importance of the Bears brand and vowed to find contingency options for North Sydney bosses if the Perth franchise failed to reach first base.

“If the Perth bid goes ahead, the Bears are front and centre of it,” he said.

“If it doesn’t work with Perth, we would look at other options for them.

“The Bears brand has great history and a huge supporter base and we want them involved with expansion, absolutely.

“I would love to see the Bears back in the NRL.”

It is understood the NRL is considering emulating the expansion model deployed by the AFL, whose 19th team in Tasmania will receive $144m in funding — $12m for a 12-year period.

The WA government is said to be baulking at an outlay in excess of $100m, but V’landys stressed talks can be salvaged, insisting the admission of a Perth franchise would be an economic bonanza.

The Bears are front and centre of a Perth plan. Picture: Tom Parrish

“What has to be remembered is the economic benefit to Perth because an NRL team there will bring enormous investment into the state,” he said.

“This is not a handout from the WA government, it’s an investment from them because an NRL will bring substantial value to Perth.

“If they invest in grassroots, they will have thousands of kids playing sport and that’s important from a welfare perspective, having Western Australian kids out there playing sport.

“I’m still confident there will be a resolution with the (WA) government but these negotiations have to happen and until they are finalised, we have to consider all outcomes.”

V’landys confirmed the ARLC has struck a $600 million deal with the Federal government for Papua New Guinea to enter the competition, most likely in 2028, pending the final imprimatur from an NRL-club committee.

“We still have to go to the clubs about PNG,” he said.

“Our negotiations with them (Federal government and PNG chiefs) have concluded.

“We are happy with the deal … all we have to do now is go to the clubs, show them the business case stacks up and then the licence will be issued in consultation with three NRL chairmen.”