NRL must lure Gina Rinehart, Andrew Forrest to rugby league to complete Perth takeover | Bulldog’s Bite

Never before has the once-proud sporting state of WA endured such miserable failure, and now is the time for the NRL to bash down the door and finish the demolition job.

The NRL must bash down the front door to convert an insecure and floundering Western Australia to rugby league by approaching two insanely rich Perth business people – worth a combined total of $90 billion – to help with the demolition job.

Perth is ready to be shaken to its core and, as always, Peter V’landys’ timing is exquisite.

Never before has the once-proud sporting state endured such miserable sporting failure in AFL, A-League, rugby union and Sheffield Shield – and that’s why nervous WA sporting powerbrokers were so resistant towards Bears.

WA is in sporting decline amid local fears the new Perth Bears might sweep into town and steal the state’s hearts and minds. Rugby league is ready to ride in on a white horse.

The NRL’s expansion into Perth is perfect timing by Peter V'landys.

The reaction from some in WA to the Bears’ NRL inclusion in 2027 smacked of trepidation and dread about a new cocksure and buoyant sport stealing their dwindling status.

A front-page story in mainstream West Australian newspaper, the day the Bears were announced, moaned ‘The Bad News Bears’ and lamented the WA Government’s decision to outlay $65m to expand the NRL competition.

Never before has an Australian state been so hypersensitive about protecting their patch.

The NRL should now play on Perth’s self-doubt by trying to lure WA-based mega-billionaires Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest woman, and Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest to rugby league.

Forrest is a well-known sports fan and I’m told Rinehart thrives on helping WA teams overcome sporting franchises from the more glamorous eastern states.

Gina Rinehart is worth around $46 billion. Picture: AFP

Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest has $33 billion in the bank. Picture: Getty Images

Rinehart is worth around $46 billion while Forrest has a cool $33 billion in the bank – and they love backing WA. Imagine the levels of paranoia if V’landys can secure one or both to help Perth Bears?

Forrest has committed millions of dollars to rugby union so why not rugby league?

There are others too. Just last year, Henley and Partners’ World’s Wealthiest Cities Report stated WA housed eight billionaires, 64 centimillionaires and 33,600 millionaires.

A stream of bucks for rugby league would have AFL shaking with fear.

Perth Bears need to secure immediate success to start eroding the AFL’s stranglehold in Perth. It will be a challenge, particularly with questions over the state’s junior pathways, but it can be done.

Here’s why.

Art by Boo Bailey

West Coast Eagles are hapless and sit dead-last having lost all nine games this season. Fremantle are marginally better, having won four matches, and sit in 11th position in the AFL ladder.

The Eagles were once known as the Manchester United of Australian sport. They are now on-the-nose, on and off field, while the Dockers are perennial losers. Fremantle’s lack of success in winning a flag has earned them a nickname – Flagmantle.

And it could get even worse with reports emerging West Coast superstar Harley Reid wants out for a return to Melbourne.

WA is in sporting decline. The Eagles are struggling and things could get worse amid reports Harley Reid wants out. Picture: Getty Images

Western Force is sitting third last on the Super Rugby table with four wins from 12 games this season.

The once-great Western Australian cricket team ran last in the 2024/25 Sheffield Shield season with three victories from ten games.

Perth Glory were hopeless and ran last on the A-League competition table with just four wins from 26 games. The only small success for WA this year was the Perth Wildcats, who ran third on the NBL table.

Expansion has given the NRL a decisive edge over the AFL with the Bears offering rugby league a presence in the west.

The NRL is now played in multiple areas and regions where AFL is invisible. There’s Wollongong, Newcastle and Townsville along with overseas locations in Auckland and, shortly, Port Moresby.

With a looming World Cup and the Las Vegas extravaganza now an annual sensation, rugby league here and abroad has never looked bigger nor brighter.

The west is now there to be won and it seems V’landys has waved his magic wand yet again.

DOG TREATS

There is something uniquely special when you walk into a South Sydney function. You can feel the history, it’s palpable.

The Rabbitohs’ Players Association put together a wonderful luncheon at Souths Juniors on Saturday where the club’s 34 coaches, dating back to 1908, were issued a personal number, in chronological order, and a gold rabbit pin. All players have an individual playing number but this is the first time coaches have received the honour.

Former Souths coaches who attended were Michael Maguire, Bob McCarthy, Craig Coleman, Bill Anderson, Arthur Kitinas, Johnny King and Paul Langmack while relatives of late coaches were there to accept the accolade.

Souths greats Bob McCarthy, Craig Coleman and Ron Coote at a Rabbitohs’ Players Association luncheon

Ex-Rabbitohs at the event included Association president Sean Garlick, Ron Coote, Mario Fenech, Darren Brown, Shannon Donato – who acted at MC – Rod Maybon, Paul Roberts, Mark Lyons, Jason Clark, Darryl Neville, Mick Andrews, Ross Harrington and Steve Fenech.

George Piggins’ wife, Nolene, was there, as was John O’Neill wife, Clare. The current NRL squad including Cam Murray, Jai Arrow and Jack Wighton, attended as did club CEO Blake Solly.

“No-one does it like us,” said Clark. Anderson added: “This club always had a unique feel.”

Maguire’s attendance was praised given his Broncos had lost to Souths just the night before.

*****

It will be interesting to see which famous sportspeople have grandstands named after them at the new $300m Penrith Stadium.

Club pioneers and legends, the Cartwright family, must surely be considered along with Greg Alexander, Roger Cowan and the one-and-only Royce Simmons. Or what about the Cleary Stand?

It will be an interesting debate. The State Government will ultimately decide on a stadium due for completion in 2027.

*****

The Dom Young drama remains unsettled although we can reveal three NRL clubs showed late interest in signing the giant winger.

There was preliminary curiosity from Wests Tigers, St George Illawarra and Parramatta although no offers have been lodged.

*****

Which two NRL stars were openly rude when approached by a fan simply seeking a selfie? There’s a little thing called karma.

Originally published as NRL must lure Gina Rinehart, Andrew Forrest to rugby league to complete Perth takeover | Bulldog’s Bite