NRL NRL Expansion

[snake77]

David Moffett was on the radio this morning with Mike Hosking.

The interview was mainly around the All Blacks new sponsorship. He mentioned how the rugby unions need capital which would be a deciding factor.

He then said something like "A big relief for NZ Rugby would be the NRL deciding not expanding to 20 teams until 2032, and I get the impression they are favouring the western corridor of Brisbane or Ipswhich".

I might have the geography incorrect (eg the western corridor part). He did mention Brisbane/Queensland.

It isn't worth looking up as the interview was mainly around the All Blacks sponsorship as he's an ex Union CEO. Just the statement above was interesting as he said it out of the blue, and I wonder if his bid or he's stepping away due to the time frame.

 

[Shogun]

We know the powers that be love that government money. That's how PNG & the Bears are getting in. (watch PNG get delayed, that's why the Bears are coming in 1st.)

There is talk of a 2nd NZ supercars round and the NZ government wants it to be in chch at Ruapuna to promote tourism. So I guess there would be funding support. They didn't want to fund the America's Cup though, a mistake IMO, so that's now being held over seas. A chch bid might need a Labour led government to help.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Joey Johns & Brad Fittler talking about the possibility of Perth holding a magic round in 2027 when Perth enter the comp to attract more fans. Brad said it needs to stay in Brisbane, Somewhere warm....Mother fuckers, Do you think we(I live in Perth) live in Antarctica!!? As a proud Perthling , I needed to come on here and bat for my city! Sunshine state mate!
Rainy ass Brisbane ain't got shit on us!

Edit- Btw, This is current. Perth winter weather.

 

[WA Warrior]

Joey Johns & Brad Fittler talking about the possibility of Perth holding a magic round in 2027 when Perth enter the comp to attract more fans. Brad said it needs to stay in Brisbane, Somewhere warm....Mother fuckers, Do you think we(I live in Perth) live in Antarctica!!? As a proud Perthling , I needed to come on here and bat for my city! Sunshine state mate!
Rainy ass Brisbane ain't got shit on us!

Edit- Btw, This is current. Perth winter weather.

Going to be bloody awesome to have footy here every couple of weeks hey bro.
Definitely going to become a member.
Warriors number 1 still but

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Going to be bloody awesome to have footy here every couple of weeks hey bro.
Definitely going to become a member.
Warriors number 1 still but

Bro! I'm so excited to have a team i can physically go and support. At the same time, I feel like I'm cheating on the wahs!
No team will ever replace the Wahs for me. But we can have a side peice can't we? Lol.

 

[John Nick]

Bro! I'm so excited to have a team i can physically go and support. At the same time, I feel like I'm cheating on the wahs!
No team will ever replace the Wahs for me. But we can have a side peice can't we? Lol.

Is that like playing away.

 

[sballer7]

I'm in the same boat...cant wait to have team at home to support. And the bonus is we will see the Warriors here every 2nd year at least. Might look at getting a half bears, half wahs jersey made up.

 

[Wrighty]

Congratulations to our Western Australian members for this fantastic news and momentous announcement.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I'm in the same boat...cant wait to have team at home to support. And the bonus is we will see the Warriors here every 2nd year at least. Might look at getting a half bears, half wahs jersey made up.

I've been thinking about that too! Lol

 

[Bay39er]

V’Landys now suggesting that the new WA club might be able to use players from the Western Force rugby franchise on some sharing arrangement

Why would he suggest that unless it is a realisation that there aren’t enough quality players in the pool and the product will be weakened

 

[RiceOwl]

It has been a long time coming to have the Bears back in the competition. I feel quite emotional about it in a variety of ways if I am honest, but am still trying to work out clearly how I feel about it.

For some context, as a young boy, before 95 and the Warriors joined the competition, I was a diehard Bears fan. My uncle played for them in the 70s and was a trainer for them in the 90s. I wore Bears kit all the time, and if you look back at all my school photos I was always wearing a Bears jersey. I could (and can still) name the Bears players and great bears teams of the 90s. As I was only young I didn't quite have an understanding of how historically poor their record was as I only saw the great teams they had in the 90s, which I idolised. I remember seeing the Mark Graham book on the book shelf in his Bears jersey and thought only the greatest must play for the Bears. One of my earliest and fondest memories was going to Carlaw Park when they played Auckland and Wests in a pre-season trial game, and my uncle took me to the changing sheds afterwards to meet the players. I sat with Darryl Halligan and Mario Fenech, and from then on I wanted to be a goal kicker like Darryl. The point to sharing all of this, is that sport can have a significant impact on peoples lives, and for many, the Bears are their team and it means so much to have them back in the competition, albeit in a different form.

In some ways I felt sad that it is the Perth Bears and not the North Sydney Bears that I grew up supporting, but the realist in me knows that this is the only way for the Bears to return (although I would argue they were shafted in the first place with how they were forced to leave the competition). It will certainly be an incredibly special moment to witness them back at North Sydney Oval in 2027.

Not to worry, as much as I loved the Bears and they hold a special place in my heart, I am a dedicated Warriors fan as my number 1 team now...

Either way, welcome back the Bears.

 

[WA Warrior]

V’Landys now suggesting that the new WA club might be able to use players from the Western Force rugby franchise on some sharing arrangement

Why would he suggest that unless it is a realisation that there aren’t enough quality players in the pool and the product will be weakened

I believe it was a suggestion from Twiggy.
I reckon he was just being respectful to Twiggy and saying they will consider it.
No way it happens imo.
Twiggy will be a good person to keep on side for a new club.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I believe it was a suggestion from Twiggy.
I reckon he was just being respectful to Twiggy and saying they will consider it.
No way it happens imo.
Twiggy will be a good person to keep on side for a new club.

Did we not learn from the Knights?

 

[WA Warrior]

Did we not learn from the Knights?

Tinkler?
He was the owner, totally different no?

 

[John Nick]

It has been a long time coming to have the Bears back in the competition. I feel quite emotional about it in a variety of ways if I am honest, but am still trying to work out clearly how I feel about it.

For some context, as a young boy, before 95 and the Warriors joined the competition, I was a diehard Bears fan. My uncle played for them in the 70s and was a trainer for them in the 90s. I wore Bears kit all the time, and if you look back at all my school photos I was always wearing a Bears jersey. I could (and can still) name the Bears players and great bears teams of the 90s. As I was only young I didn't quite have an understanding of how historically poor their record was as I only saw the great teams they had in the 90s, which I idolised. I remember seeing the Mark Graham book on the book shelf in his Bears jersey and thought only the greatest must play for the Bears. One of my earliest and fondest memories was going to Carlaw Park when they played Auckland and Wests in a pre-season trial game, and my uncle took me to the changing sheds afterwards to meet the players. I sat with Darryl Halligan and Mario Fenech, and from then on I wanted to be a goal kicker like Darryl. The point to sharing all of this, is that sport can have a significant impact on peoples lives, and for many, the Bears are their team and it means so much to have them back in the competition, albeit in a different form.

In some ways I felt sad that it is the Perth Bears and not the North Sydney Bears that I grew up supporting, but the realist in me knows that this is the only way for the Bears to return (although I would argue they were shafted in the first place with how they were forced to leave the competition). It will certainly be an incredibly special moment to witness them back at North Sydney Oval in 2027.

Not to worry, as much as I loved the Bears and they hold a special place in my heart, I am a dedicated Warriors fan as my number 1 team now...

Either way, welcome back the Bears.

Just been reminiscing about your story and appreciate your memories.
Back in the 50s my uncle was playing for Western Districts in the Premier Auckland comp and they played against the great St George team at Carlaw Park.
After the game he took me into the rooms and introduced me to all the players and I got all of their autographs
I was about 12 and playing league for Roskill and was excited.
Western United won the game in the last minutes and later I was playing for Point Chevalier and played along side of 2 of the guys who had played in the game one of which scored the winning try

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Tinkler?
He was the owner, totally different no?

More speaking to outspoken industry barons getting vocal with local clubs.

 

[Shogun]

V’Landys now suggesting that the new WA club might be able to use players from the Western Force rugby franchise on some sharing arrangement

Why would he suggest that unless it is a realisation that there aren’t enough quality players in the pool and the product will be weakened

Ridiculous to suggest such a thing from PV

There's a ton of players off contract

My 2027 Bears team + their ages in 27. Not considered anyone 31+ and players with an option for 27 at current club

KINI 23
TAMALE 23
NAWAQANITAWASE 27
FARNWORTH 28
COATES 26
S SMITH 25
METCALF 28
WHYTE 25
GRANT 29
P HAAS 28
FERMOR 29
BLORE 27
SMITHIES 27

DA SILVA 22
WONG 24
S HUGHES 26
NEAME 26

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Ridiculous to suggest such a thing from PV

There's a ton of players off contract

My 2027 Bears team + their ages in 27. Not considered anyone 31+ and players with an option for 27 at current club

KINI 23
TAMALE 23
NAWAQANITAWASE 27
FARNWORTH 28
COATES 26
S SMITH 25
METCALF 28
WHYTE 25
GRANT 29
P HAAS 28
FERMOR 29
BLORE 27
SMITHIES 27

DA SILVA 22
WONG 24
S HUGHES 26
NEAME 26

Metcalf?!?

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Metcalf?!?

Only cos Nathan Cleary will be here by then partnered up with his lil bro remember?

 

[Falcon]

It has been a long time coming to have the Bears back in the competition. I feel quite emotional about it in a variety of ways if I am honest, but am still trying to work out clearly how I feel about it.

For some context, as a young boy, before 95 and the Warriors joined the competition, I was a diehard Bears fan. My uncle played for them in the 70s and was a trainer for them in the 90s. I wore Bears kit all the time, and if you look back at all my school photos I was always wearing a Bears jersey. I could (and can still) name the Bears players and great bears teams of the 90s. As I was only young I didn't quite have an understanding of how historically poor their record was as I only saw the great teams they had in the 90s, which I idolised. I remember seeing the Mark Graham book on the book shelf in his Bears jersey and thought only the greatest must play for the Bears. One of my earliest and fondest memories was going to Carlaw Park when they played Auckland and Wests in a pre-season trial game, and my uncle took me to the changing sheds afterwards to meet the players. I sat with Darryl Halligan and Mario Fenech, and from then on I wanted to be a goal kicker like Darryl. The point to sharing all of this, is that sport can have a significant impact on peoples lives, and for many, the Bears are their team and it means so much to have them back in the competition, albeit in a different form.

In some ways I felt sad that it is the Perth Bears and not the North Sydney Bears that I grew up supporting, but the realist in me knows that this is the only way for the Bears to return (although I would argue they were shafted in the first place with how they were forced to leave the competition). It will certainly be an incredibly special moment to witness them back at North Sydney Oval in 2027.

Not to worry, as much as I loved the Bears and they hold a special place in my heart, I am a dedicated Warriors fan as my number 1 team now...

Either way, welcome back the Bears.

Great post, and it is good to have them back. Mario is my all time favourite player - hence The Falcon moniker.
I’ll never forget the off day Daryl Halligan had with his usual laser kicking in one of their semi finals to lose by a couple.
I think North Sydney was always a 2nd fav team for for us over the Ditch because idolised kiwis like Mark Graham, Clayton Friend and Olsen Filipina played for them to name a few.
Great looking ground on TV too, especially with all the kids perched on the branches of that huge tree.
Good to see the team will be keeping the red and black colours of old too.
Keen to watch how the club is put together and who will fill key positions on and off the field.