NRL on verge of agreeing terms for Western Australia government to save expansion bid, Perth-based Bears to become 18th team

The NRL is on the verge of agreeing terms with the Western Australia government on a deal that has saved their expansion bid, paving the way for the Perth-based Bears to become the code’s 18th team.

Peter V'landys.

The NRL is on the verge of agreeing terms with the Western Australian government on a deal that has saved expansion and paved the way for the Perth-based Bears to become the code’s 18th team.

This masthead can reveal ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys held urgent talks with the WA government on Thursday, which included WA premier Roger Cook and treasurer Rita Saffioti.

There were fears expansion could collapse after the NRL rejected a slew of expansion bids a fortnight ago, including a proposal from a Perth-based consortium to form the Western Bears.

But well-placed sources say the NRL is set for an 18th team in 2027 after V’landys held positive talks with WA powerbrokers to ensure a Perth-North Sydney Bears alliance is not dead.

It is understood Cook and Saffioti found critical common ground with V’landys, heightening confidence at Rugby League Central that expansion to Perth will go ahead as planned.

The WA government had initially baulked at a $120 million grassroots funding request, but premier Cook wants an NRL presence in Perth and V’landys is on the brink of sealing the deal.

Peter V'landys held urgent talks the WA government on Thursday. Picture: Richard Dobson

The development came as the existing 17 clubs backed a $60 million licence fee for Papua New Guinea. It means a strategic plan for a 19-team NRL competition by 2028, including the Perth Bears and PNG, is now back on track.

A faction of NRL outfits had raised concerns over whether the $60m participation levy was sufficient, but the 17 clubs are now on board in a massive shot in the arm for V’landys’ 20-team expansion masterplan.

It is understood the North Sydney Bears were informed of the fresh developments on Thursday afternoon in a huge fillip for their hopes of a premiership revival.

V’landys has already guaranteed that the Bears will be part of a team in Perth.

While the talks with Cook and Saffioti were positive, there is no guarantee that the deal will be done in time to include it as part of a joint expansion announcement with Papua New Guinea.

However, there is genuine hope that expansion to Perth and PNG as part of a long-term plan to expand to 20 teams can be confirmed before the end of the year, most likely early in December.

The final ARL Commission meeting of the year is scheduled to be held next week with expansion at the forefront of everyone’s minds as they race to get the process finalised before Christmas.

The Bears are firming for a return to the NRL in their alliance with Perth. Picture: Getty Images

PNG is on the verge of being confirmed with negotiations in the final throes, but expansion to Perth looked in jeopardy before V’landys and Cook held talks on Thursday aimed at smoothing the waters for a Bears revival.

The clubs have been kept informed of negotiations via their newly-formed advisory group and are believed to be supportive of the NRL’s plans given they will be handsomely rewarded for backing expansion.

The NRL has reached an in-principle agreement with PNG on a $600 million funding deal to be bankrolled by the Federal government and successful talks with the WA government is now the final piece in the expansion puzzle.

It is understood former consortium boss Peter Cumins made a belated bid to get a seat at the table, even proposing a substantial licence fee to sweeten a deal that would involve his bid team.

However, the ARL Commission has put a line through Cumins’ involvement given the way his consortium handled the initial bid process.

The commission walked away from that process decidedly underwhelmed and made the decision to set up their own franchise in Perth - using the Bears moniker - which they plan to eventually hand over to the members.