NRL 2024: Western Bears draft in Anthony Griffin, Paul White for expansion bid
The Western Bears stepped up their push to join an expanded NRL competition by enlisting the help of two former Broncos heavyweights.
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The Western Bears turned to former Broncos heavyweights Anthony Griffin and Paul White to assist with their likely entry into the competition.
It is understood that former St George Illawarra, Penrith and Broncos coach Griffin, ex-Broncos chief executive White and former NRL executive Jonathon Stewart helped the Bears with their bid proposal which is being examined by the NRL.
White and Stewart run a sports management advisory company and drafted in Griffin to assist the Bears. The company also looks after Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
Griffin, who coached the Dragons last season, has large expertise in helping establish pathway systems having overseen Brisbane’s development and had a key role in initiating Penrith’s academy programs.
He was also part of the Melbourne Storm when they first entered the competition in 1998.
It is understood the group assisted with the football aspects of the Bears’ intense bid process which included the functionality of a high performance centre, what staff are needed to run a football program, the football department salary cap, the player salary cap and the systems and pathways needed to establish sustained success.
The Bears re-entry into top flight rugby league is all but certain, with a formal announcement expected by October with a 2027 launch date.
North Sydney and the West Australian bid team formed an alliance earlier in August to establish the Western Bears.
While the Perth Bears name was floated, the parties agreed to the Western Bears which is a nod to Western Australia’s first team – the Western Reds.
They finalised their proposal ahead of the NRL imposed August 14 deadline after the hopeful clubs were given a two-week extension.
The Bears are expected to become the NRL’s 18th side and will be based in Perth except for one regular season game and a pre-season fixture in NSW.
PNG will become the NRL’s 19th team in 2028 while the 20th team remains wide open.
Newtown and Ipswich have formed a joint-bid to bring back the Jets while the David Moffett-led South Island Kea also has support.
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