Premier Roger Cook says NRL can’t guarantee how many home games would be played in Perth by Western Bears

Premier Roger Cook can’t guarantee how many home games would be played in Perth by a WA rugby league team, saying the decision would be “entirely” up to the NRL. According to east coast media, the Australian Rugby League Commission has signed off on a beefed-up offer from the State Government to relocate the North Sydney Bears franchise to Perth. Mr Cook has refused to reveal the details of the deal, which reportedly included a $50 million package for growing the league in WA — up from the Government’s first offer of $35 million. Also included is a centre for excellence at a $20 million sporting precinct in Malaga. Asked on Friday if a “vast majority” of home games would be played in WA, Mr Cook said the “arrangements in relation to any one team — and I stress these conversations have not concluded — with regards to a Western Australian franchise, that will be run by the NRL”. “The form in which that takes, whether it involves the Bears or some other arrangements, is entirely up to them.” Mr Cook repeated he was yet to receive a formal response from the NRL regarding its final offer. No conversations have been had yet about the format for the WA franchise either. “We are having positive conversations with the NRL at the moment. Those conversations are continuing, we are yet to receive a formal response from the NRL. I understand they have a number of processes that they need to go through,” he said. “If we are in a position to be able to conclude those discussions, then we will provide absolute transparency in relation to the modelling that sits behind it.” The Premier would not provide a timeline on the mooted deal, saying the ball was “in the NRL’s court at the moment”. “As I said, we’ve made a proposal to them and they are considering that and I understand there is a range of processes that they have to go through before they can formally respond,” he said. “If we have the opportunity to bring another national code to WA, that will be a huge opportunity for Western Australia. It will mean more economic activity. West Aussies love their sport and we’ve got a huge following of NRL here in WA and as you know, we’re bloody good at sport. “It doesn’t matter if you’re the Eagles, the Wildcats, we dominate. And I’m sure we can dominate the NRL as well.”