NRL expansion: North Sydney Bears fans temper expectations amid 18th club links

Long-suffering North Sydney Bears fans have tempered hopes amid recent talk of a potential ‘merger’ with a new 18th NRL club saying they “won’t believe it until we see it”.

Bears fans could soon have a team to cheer on in the NRL.

Long-suffering North Sydney Bears fans have tempered hopes amid recent talk of further NRL expansion and a potential alignment of the foundation club with a new 18th team, with fans saying they “won’t believe it until we see it”.

The Sunday Telegraph reported how, given the success of the Dolphins, there was movement to expand the competition to 20 teams, with a Pasifika and North Sydney Bears hybrid team a possibility, potentially based out of Cairns.

However, Bears fans, accustomed to almost annual whispers of a re-emergence of their beloved team, have greeted the news with optimistic caution.

“I’m hopeful, but I won’t believe it until I see it,” fan Jace Fairbairn said.

“We were treated awfully in the past – I always felt that as a foundation team we should have been looked after.”

Jace Fairbairn at North Sydney Oval. Picture: Supplied

Another passionate Bear, Marcus Fegent, said “we’ve learnt not to get too excited by everything we read”.

“We have been disappointed too many times – it would be amazing if anything did come out of it, but it just looks like another media beat up.”

There was, however, cautious optimism and a belief it was time for the slumbering giant to awake from hibernation.

“We’ve been duped into an enforced hibernation for too long,” fan Dave Brown said.

Bears fan Marcus Fegent. Picture: Supplied

“With our entrenched history, stoic fan base and foundation history we will only ever be a positive, constructive, exciting re-entry into the NRL community.

“Imagine the mighty Bears emerging from their den, reigniting the support for everyone’s favourite ‘second team’.”

Last year, a move westward to Perth seemed like the most likely destination for the Bears, but Sunday’s coverage revealed a relocation north to Cairns, as part of a new Pasifika team, was instead on the cards.

Bears board member Billy Moore confirmed to The Daily Telegraph the club was open to exploring the concept of a joint bid.

Billy Moore says the Bears are open to exploring the concept of a joint bid.

“What we’ve said to the NRL is you tell us where we need to go to become the 18th team,” Mr Moore said.

“All we want is to be back into the competition. Whether that is in Perth, Port Moresby or Wellington. But, during discussions, what has arisen is the prospect of becoming the Pasifika Bears.”

Fan Todd Nelson, however, said his reaction “was sort of negative”.

“I’ve sort of gone the other direction and hope we go to Perth,” he said.

Mr Nelson cited the plethora of clubs on the eastern seaboard and was keen for any NRL Bears side to move into uncharted territory.

“It’s a national competition and we’re all over the east coast,” he said.

Long-suffering Bears fan Todd Nelson (front-left) with friends and fans at North Sydney Oval. Picture: Supplied

“I think the rest of Australia has been neglected and the AFL is rubbing their hands together (if we don’t go to Perth).”

Thomas Shanahan didn’t cite a preference for where the Bears may end up, but urged the competition to bring them back into the fold.

“I became a Bear when my late father took me to games and I remain a Bear because they are my team,” he said.

“Through corporate strife I’ve stuck with them, and I hope the NRL can see the value in bringing a legacy brand – and the fans they have – back into the game.”

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