Roger Cook makes huge statement amid Perth Bears NRL expansion talks

The NRL’s bid to expand into Perth hit a major speed bump, but WA Premier Roger Cook made a huge statement on Saturday.

Roger Cook was in attendance for Perth's NRL double header. Image: Getty/Fox Sports

The NRL’s expansion into Perth appeared dead in the water earlier this week, but Western Australia Premier Roger Cook has declared he is desperate to make the deal happen as he

present from start to finish at the NRL double-header at Perth Stadium on Saturday.

Saturday’s matches – Cronulla vs. Manly and South Sydney vs. North Queensland – could not have come at a worse time for the Premier, with negotiations over a proposed new NRL franchise plunged into doubt last week.

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As negotiations soured, Cook accused the NRL of treating his state like a “cash cow”, after falling short of requested funding and it appeared all hopes of the Bears entering the competition for 2027 were all but over.

However, in a statement of intent, Cook was present from an hour before kick-off for the first game of the NRL double-header, until well after the full-time siren, and told Fox Sports he is “determined” to get the deal over the line.

“We are determined to make it (a deal with the NRL) happen,” he reportedly told Fox Sports’ Lara Pitt.

Both parties are expected to return to the negotiating table for a last-ditch bid to resolve the issue next week.

Roger Cook was in attendance for Perth's NRL double header. Image: Getty/Fox Sports

It comes after South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett told Perth fans to not give up hopes of having their own team.

Locals are largely keen for a team in Perth, and Bennett told them to keep pushing hard after seeing how successful the Dolphins have been in their first few years after initial fears that the area didn’t need another franchise.

“Don’t give up,” Bennett said.

“I came here in the ’90s for the first time when the Western Reds were here.

“I can’t believe the growth of the game here and the interest in the game and how many people recognise you now.

“Perth’s ready for it, I know they want it, so I just hope they get a deal done, and I’m sure they will.

“I’m very optimistic that they’ll have a team here and it will be great for the game.

“It’s a great place, a great sporting state and would give us more assets to players that would be playing here with junior football and an NRL team here as well. I don’t think we’d come if we didn’t think it was value long term.

“So I’m sure the NRL is prepared to back their decisions. They backed the Dolphins three years ago and a lot of people didn’t think that should have happened, but that’s been a great success story.

“So I’m sure Perth will be the same – Papua New Guinea is coming as well.”

Originally published as Roger Cook makes huge statement amid Perth Bears NRL expansion talks