Updated ,first published
On the day the Perth Bears revealed their new jersey, the NRL has gifted the expansion club salary cap dispensation to ensure that it will soon be worn by a marquee player.
Head office granted the Bears two concessions on Friday to help them attract top talent to Western Australia. The first is a marquee player allowance that will allow an existing club sponsor to top up one player’s salary by 20 per cent, without the additional amount going onto the salary cap.
The other is a stipulation that the Bears be given first crack should a contracted player want to leave their club. For example, if a player from one club wants to be released from their deal, the only club they can join will be Perth. If the parties agree, the Bears will pick up the entirety of the contract. The club he is leaving will not be allowed to chip in any of the freight.
The second initiative was proposed by the 17 existing clubs and rubber-stamped by the Australian Rugby League Commission.
Perth powerbrokers, including coach Mal Meninga and chief executive officer Anthony De Ceglie, welcomed the concessions.
ARLC executive chair Peter V’landys believes the move will result in the Bears nabbing a marquee man.
“I’m sure they will, because it’s 20 per cent [more than what other clubs can spend,” V’landys said. “You’re getting a 20 per cent increase that’s not included in the salary cap … We’ve got approval from the RLPA [Rugby League Players’ Association], which I thank, and also the other clubs on that marquee thing. We’ve negotiated that over a period of time.
“The second one is an interesting one because it’s come from the clubs themselves … because they want to see the Bears succeed. They want a strong competition, and it proves that rugby league is operating as a team.
“They don’t want to see the Perth Bears getting beat every week; they want to see them being strong. So, this is their idea. I’ve only brought it forward. This is their concept, and the RLPA has put various concepts in to help. So, we’re working as a team. We’re working as a game, and that’s very important to me.”
Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie said the club was tracking towards building a roster that would more than hold its own when it enters the competition next season.
“The Perth Bears are very confident we’re putting together a squad that will be competitive in 2027 and make Western Australia and North Sydney proud. We’re grateful that the NRL has provided this concession and also that the other clubs have supported it.”
Earlier, in keeping with their mantra of “Two histories, one future”, the Bears unveiled the jersey for their historic inaugural NRL season. It is a nod to their past, with the distinctive red and black horizontal stripes paying homage to foundation club North Sydney.
Then there is the more recent Western Australian history in the form of major sponsor Cash Converters, whose logo is plastered on the front of the jersey for the first time since the Western Reds folded in 1997.
The design was revealed from the light towers of the WACA ground in Perth before dignitaries including WA Premier Roger Cook, former North Sydney Bears forward Billy Moore and Former Western Reds prop Mark Geyer. It was a twin reveal, with the design also shown for the first time at a simultaneous event in North Sydney.
The Bears spoke about the significance of some of the intricate details on the jersey, including the Bears logo.
“It’s a forward-facing bear because bears stand up when they are challenged,” Meninga explained. “When they are confronted, they move forward. That’s the attitude, that’s that boldness that we love about the bear itself. We talk about that to the players, being bold and being courageous.
“That’s what the bear logo represents to us – that when we’re facing the challenge, we’re going to confront it.”
Even the number of teeth bared by the bear – eight – has special meaning. It acknowledges that North Sydney was a foundation club born in 1908, while its NSW Cup side won eight premierships.
“Talking from our foundation pillars and principles around respect and connect, it’s really important that we acknowledge our history.
“Connecting with our community, not only with the North Sydney Bears, but certainly in WA and obviously the rugby league community, sharing and connecting with our own over here to create some momentum for the Perth Bears.
“What’s as important is connecting and protecting the future for the Perth Bears and rugby league here in Western Australia. That’s really important.
“We want to be a destination club, we want to be seen as extremely competitive in the colours so that we leave it in a better place than we found it. That’s how you leave your legacy and that’s how you build respect in the community.
V’landys promised that the history of the North Sydney Bears would be preserved in the new venture, and he has been good to his word.
It is a big weekend for rugby league in Perth, which will host the Manly-Melbourne clash at HBF Park on Saturday afternoon.
Adrian Proszenko travelled to Perth as a guest of the Perth Bears.
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North Sydney Bears legend Greg Florimo looked at the images being beamed out of Perth, and felt a sense of pride and excitement. But there was also a big sense of relief.
“This means a lot – it’s been 27 years,” Florimo said.
“There have been a series of events since May last year [when the Perth Bears were confirmed as the NRL’s 18th team]. Today, it’s a significant step to show this partnership [with North Sydney] is legitimate.
“The Perth Bears are red and black, it [the jumper] carries the bear, and it’s now up to us to uphold our end of the partnership and do what we said we’d do, including providing a fan base.
“The red and black has never gone away. I watch the colours every weekend [in the lower grades], but to see them back on the big stage – I’ve dreamt about it, but I was never certain I’d see it again. Most of the people in this room will tell you the same.”
About 300 people gathered at North Sydney Leagues Club in Cammeray to watch the Perth jersey unveiled on the other side of the country.
Florimo, who recalled being in the same function room for his testimonial in 1998, was joined by several former Bears, including Josh Stuart, John Gray, Bruce Walker, Russell Hunter and Terry Adams. Several NSW Cup players were also in attendance, including Liam Knight, the former South Sydney prop who will make his reserve grade debut for the club on the weekend.
Stuart featured in the Bears’ final game in 1999, a win against the Cowboys in Townsville, and remembers taking a call from his manager during Mad Monday celebrations to inform him he had been hit with a four-match ban for a high tackle.
Now a Penrith fan, mainly because his sister Bec married coach Ivan Cleary, and his nephew is Nathan Cleary, Stuart said he might convert to the NRL’s newest franchise.
Another notable fan enjoying the Perth footage, the cold “Ginger Bear” and red and black doughnuts was Mark Preston, the father of Canterbury back-rower Jacob Preston.
“I just love Norths and I love the Bears – the Bears gave my boy his start,” Mark said.
“They taught him to be humble, kind and generous, which he is. These guys gave him an opportunity to come through the grades. You never forget the people who help you, and the Bears helped him with his journey to the NRL.”
Preston is a free agent on November 1, which begged the question if Mark would like to see his boy once again don the Bears’ colours.
“You’ll have to talk to him about that,” he said with a smile.
Florimo said one of the next steps would be making sure North Sydney Oval received a facelift to allow the historic venue to host NRL games in the coming years.
