NRL expansion shock with Perth on track to become 18th team in possible alliance with Newtown Jets over North Sydney Bears

Perth could be the NRL’s next team, with plans afoot to have WA fast-tracked into the premiership, including a possible Newtown Jets alliance. See what it means for the Bears and PNG.

The NRL’s path to 20 teams has taken a surprise twist with Perth now the frontrunner to become the game’s latest franchise amid an 11th hour push to have Western Australia in the competition by 2027.

The issue will come to a head with a crucial ARL Commission meeting on the morning of the second State of Origin game in Melbourne on June 26, where they will finalise their plans for the future of the premiership.

Support for Perth to link up with the Newtown Jets continues to grow despite speculation that North Sydney had a near guarantee that they would be part of any new side in Western Australia.

Perth has become a shock frontrunner to become the NRL’s next expansion team, as support for a WA bid to link up with the Newtown Jets continues to grow. Picture: David Swift

PNG had long been considered the game’s next expansion side but it is understood that the PNG team’s entry to the premiership may follow Perth by 12 months, giving the NRL an expanded 19-team competition by 2028.

Despite the development, the appetite remains for PNG – backed by a bumper $600 million cash injection courtesy of the federal government – to join the NRL.

However, this masthead understands that a bid from Perth – backed by the Western Australian government – is now edging ahead of PNG as the commission looks to add an 18th team as early as 2027.

PNG would then become the NRL’s 19th team before a 20th franchise was added to the competition, most likely on the south island of New Zealand.

While the Bears had a near guarantee of being part of a new Perth team, there is some reluctance at the Western Australian government level to join forces with North Sydney. Picture: Fotopress

While the PNG bid has largely hogged the expansion headlines, Perth officials have been quietly going about their business with the strong support of the WA government, WA Rugby League and consortium boss Peter Cumins.

Cumins is the head of a powerful group which also includes his brother Brian Cumins, The Cumins family have a relationship with rugby league stretching back to the Western Reds – Brian Cumins is the founder of Cash Converters, who sponsored the Reds.

The Brothers are two of the driving forces behind a bid to bring the NRL back to Perth, either as a stand-alone entity or as part of a partnership with the Bears or the Jets.

Talks have been held with both former top flight clubs, although an alliance with the Bears has the support of ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys as the game looks to revive a latent supporter base and one of the most powerful brands in the game.

While the Bears link has dominated talk there is some reluctance at the Western Australian government level to join forces with North Sydney. Instead, Newtown have been quietly building their own case in the background and have forged strong relationships with the powerbrokers in Western Australia.

PNG had long been considered the game’s next expansion side, bu ttheir entry into the NRL could be delayed. Picture: AAP

Sources close to the discussions acknowledged that Newtown may be a favourable partner should Western Australia be unable to become a stand-alone franchise. The Jets have also been working on financial backers to help with their return.

Perth consortium members held top-level talks with ARL Commissioner Peter Beattie in WA last week as they looked to turn up the heat on powerbrokers to prioritise their entry over PNG.

The Perth bid has several factors in its favour, most significantly their appeal to broadcasters because of the favourable time zone – the NRL’s broadcast deal ends in 2027.

Adding Perth as the 18th team would also give the NRL more time to ensure the PNG bid strengthens its pathways and has time to be successful.

It is believed the $600 million commitment from the federal government would remain in place as long as PNG remained in the frame for entry to the competition.