Perth Team Still On NRL's Agenda - But It All Rides On WA Election | The Sporting Base
[google-translator]

Perth team still on NRL’s agenda – but it all rides on WA election

January 31, 2025

Perth team still on NRL’s agenda – but it all rides on WA election

The NRL still has a Perth team on its agenda for 2027 — and those in Rugby League HQ really want the expansion there — but everything hinges on reigning WA Premier Roger Cook being re-elected.

Cook, the 31st premier of Western Australia, has been one of the main drivers behind bringing an NRL team to the western state and has been actively working with consortiums to get a possible deal done before the end of his term.

Download Our FREE NRL App Here

The issue will be that the 2025 WA state election is rapidly approaching; voting pundits will turn out in droves on March 8 to elect new parliamentary members. Cook is among those in the battle and his Labor government is looking to win a third straight four-year term. It’s all become very important for rugby league fans suddenly.

Should Cook and Labor be ousted by Libby Mettam and her Liberals, expansion plans may change.

There’s every chance Mettam comes to the table, of course, but nothing’s guaranteed.

Interestingly, Peter V’Landys actually twice rebuffed the closest bidder, a Perth-based bid that was looking to enter as the Perth Bears. He called their $30 million approach a “low-ball” — but the oft-lauded rugby league boss may come to regret that decision considering a locked-in team would have more chance to make it past the election.

V’Landys had at the time said he was confident things would progress again quite quickly. They haven’t though, and The Sporting Base last heard it was all dustballs between NRL HQ and the WA side of things.

It begs the question: Did V’Landys muck it up here a little trying to get more cash squeezed?

Either way, all eyes are now on March 8 — the shock next hurdle for NRL expansion.


Tell Us What You Think Below

October 21, 2025

Metcalf ignores two-year Warriors extension to hit free agency

Luke Metcalf has turned down a two-year extension offer from the New Zealand Warriors in favour of testing his worth on the open NRL market, where he hopes to field $1 million-a-year proposals from Read More

October 21, 2025

Pezet signs with Broncos, Eels in historic dual-deal. Yes, you read that right

Jonah Pezet has signed with reigning premiers the Broncos to become Adam Reynolds' replacement at halfback – but he won't join the Brisbane club until 2027, with a one-season loan deal with the Read More

October 19, 2025

Souths battling PNG, ARLC in bid to keep Bennett beyond 2027

South Sydney is facing some staunch resistance to keeping Wayne Bennett leading the club, with the Australian Rugby League Commission eager to have the supercoach lead Papua New Guinea when it enters Read More