NRL expansion: Two new franchises, with PNG and Perth Bears set to become competitions’ 18th and 19th teams

The NRL is set to make a call on an 18th side by the end of June, while plans are already underway to have a 19th franchise by 2030 – including a possible a joint venture between Perth and the Bears.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has outlined plans for the Perth Bears to be the NRL’s 19th team as part of a $400 million expansion project to bring North Sydney back to the big league.

In a landmark development for the code, fresh expansion on the back of the Dolphins’ success is imminent with the ARL Commission to meet next month to discuss the viability of two new NRL licences by 2030.

In a landmark development for the code, fresh expansion on the back of the Dolphins’ success is imminent with the ARL Commission to meet next month to discuss the viability of two new NRL licences by 2030.

It can be revealed:

* A call to expand to 18 teams could be made as early as June;

* An expansion task force has been established, with ARL Commissioners Peter Beattie and Kate Jones in talks with the Federal government to bring Papua New Guinea to the NRL by 2027 or 2028;

* Dolphins ‘expansion specialist’ Wayne Bennett has spoken with V’landys and indicated his desire to coach an 18th team from PNG — pending his availability amid interest from South Sydney;

* V’landys is in advanced talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over a $600 million “soft diplomacy” package to bankroll a PNG team; and

* After more than two decades in the wilderness, the Bears are ready to come out of hibernation as Perth and North Sydney chiefs discuss a joint-venture proposal for a 19th NRL franchise in Western Australia.

It’s been three decades since the North Sydney Bears were in the premier rugby league competition … but they could be back before 2030. Picture: Julian Andrews.

JUNE EXPANSION CALL

The fresh round of talks is the strongest sign yet the Bears are edging closer to a stunning NRL resurrection — three decades after North Sydney disappeared from the top flight in 1999.

“The Perth Bears is the ideal partnership,” V’landys said.

“By the end of June, we will be in a position as a game to make a call on expansion.

“We’re already in negotiations with a number of parties so it’s happening — expansion is a matter of when, not if.

“We are fair dinkum about expansion. It’s going to happen. If I say something, we do it.

“People said we wouldn’t go to Vegas, but we did.

“I am super confident there will eventually be 20 teams, that’s the ambition.

“We are spending $400 million in the next five years on participation. We wouldn’t spend that money if we aren’t going to expand the NRL competition.

“The injection of funds is all part of our plan to have 20-team competition.”

NRL READY TO RECLAIM THE WEST

Once written off as a possible expansion zone, Perth is now a serious contender to win an NRL licence by the close of this decade.

V’landys will soon kick off talks on the code’s next broadcast deal, for a five-year term from 2028-32, and he will head to the negotiating table armed with a plan for adding three new teams to generate revenue.

V’landys has held preliminary chats with WA premier Roger Cook, who has become a driving force for a Perth NRL team, which could have instant brand recognition via the Bears.

Peter V’landys has held chats with WA Premier Roger Cook over a possible Perth team. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smit

North Sydney bosses spoke to WA government officials on Friday and V’landys said the NRL is keen to expand in quick succession, with PNG the favourites for the 18th licence before a possible Perth Bears launch as the 19th team.

“Perth are absolutely on our hit list for expansion and it’s sooner rather than later,” he said.

“I believe we could go from 18 to 19 teams in very quick time.

“We want to be in the best possible position for our next broadcast deal.

“The next deal is for 2028 onwards and we’ll be starting negotiations for broadcast very, very soon.”

The Bears could be set for a joint venture with Perth. Picture: Julian Andrews

Asked if the Bears could be back in the NRL by 2030, V’landys said: “Absolutely they could, I won’t be ruling that out.

“There’s no way North Sydney can be a stand-alone team at the moment because there’s too many teams in Sydney as it is.

“Their best hope is to have a partnership with one of the prospective new teams from another state.

“Perth would be a perfect marriage.

“You could have a couple of games at North Sydney Oval to keep the tradition going and then you can have the majority of games in Perth.

“The premier over there is very passionate and wants a rugby league team, so we’re looking at them very seriously.

“We’re looking at an 18th team for 2027 or 2028. It won’t be 2026, it will be either 2027 or 2028, but that date we have to finalise.”

Bring back the Bears. Art: Boo Bailey

NRL’S BENNETT PNG PLAN

A 2028 entry date for an 18th team could be the perfect time frame for Bennett to preside over a prospective PNG team.

The NRL’s greatest coach, off-contract at the Dolphins, will meet with Souths officials this week during Magic Round.

The Rabbitohs will table a three-year deal for Bennett, which, if he agreed terms, would tie him to Redfern until the end of 2027, making him a free agent for an 18th franchise.

Papua New Guinea could be in line for an NRL side of their own. Picture: NRL photos

“Naturally, we would love to have Wayne Bennett involved with an 18th team,” V’landys said.

“He is a genius and if he is available for the next expansion bid, absolutely we want him.

“But Wayne has to do what’s best for Wayne as well.

“Wayne shares our vision on expansion and he wants to be part of that vision absolutely.

“But he has other options. If he is available, we will grab him, if not, we understand.”

The look of a man that could coach an NRL expansion team in 2028. Picture: NRL Photos

V’landys stressed PNG has not been locked in as the NRL’s 18th team, enlisting ARL Commissioners Beattie and Jones to ensure a Pacific bid is robust.

“Peter Beattie and Kate Jones have been assisting with the Papua New Guinea bid with the government,” he said.

“Their expertise with government knowledge is invaluable so I asked them to assist in the process with the Federal government to see if we are going to go ahead with the PNG team.

“They have met with decision-makers high up within the Federal government.

“I’ve also spoken to the Prime Minister about the 18th team. That’s the level we’re at now, we’re at the highest levels.

“I think it (a 20-team league) can be done within a decade or even earlier.

“If you want this game to thrive and have clubs extremely profitable and viable and you want players paid significant sums, you have to grow.

“If you stand still, you will be knocked over.”