The Perth Bears’ hopes of a historic return to North Sydney Oval for a trial match in February are being blocked by Cricket NSW, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Columnist Danny Weidler reported on Sunday that the NRL’s newest club is aiming to play its first trial at its spiritual home in late February, but that Cricket NSW has shut down talks over the plan.
The Bears cannot play premiership matches at North Sydney Oval because the ground is not fit for the NRL, the Herald said, but the club wants its historic return match to be played at the ground fans know as Bear Park.
A $200,000 pitch problem
Negotiations between the Bears, the NRL, Cricket NSW and the local council have been going on for weeks, according to the report.
The Herald said Cricket NSW told the NRL that some Sydney grade cricket matches would need to be rescheduled to fit in the trial, and that taking the pitch out and putting it back in would cost close to $200,000. It is not clear who would pay, although the report said the Bears believe they would be on the hook.
Read more: Matt Burton in Perth Bears Talks to Reunite With Sexton, Report Says
The machinery used to relocate the pitch is based in Adelaide and requires a specialist team, and the process takes about five weeks while the grass beds down, according to the Herald.
With the trial pencilled in for the weekend of 20-21 February, the Bears and the NRL believe it would be reasonable to reschedule the remaining club cricket fixtures rather than reinstall the pitch. The Herald reported that Cricket NSW is not interested in that proposal, and that it has booked three internal academy trial days at the ground from 9 March.
Cricket NSW was approached for comment by the Herald. Weidler wrote that Cricket NSW holds a contract over the venue with North Sydney Council, and that NRL executive chairman Peter V’landys has been pivotal in the Bears’ return.
Bears build for 2027
North Sydney last played in the top grade in 1999 before merging with Manly to form the Northern Eagles. The club returns to the NRL in 2027 as the Perth Bears under coach Mal Meninga.
The same column reported that Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton was due in Perth on Sunday to tour the city and the club, with a four-year deal worth $6 million on the table, and that Bears recruits Toby Sexton and Josh Curran would help sell the move to their former Canterbury teammate.
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