- Calls continue for NRL expansion to 20 teams
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed his opinion on the matter.
- ‘Albo’ wants North Sydney and Newtown to return
Premier Anthony Albanese has raised eyebrows after calling for the North Sydney Bears, and Newtown Jets, to be part of a 20-team NRL competition in the next decade.
ARLC president Peter V’landys is said to be desperate for the NRL to expand from its current 17 teams, with Papua New Guinea widely tipped to secure the 18th franchise licence.
PNG’s push has been aided by the Albanese government, which is reportedly set to help the Pacific nation with $600 million in funding in a bid to strengthen international relations and also stave off the influence of China.
Albanese, a lifelong Rabbitohs fan, confirmed in October last year that he is in talks with V’landys for the next NRL franchise.
“I’m very supportive of the 18th NRL team in PNG,” Albanese told News Corp.
‘This marks a turning point for the relationship with Papua New Guinea.
Premier Anthony Albanese has raised eyebrows after calling for the North Sydney Bears, and Newtown Jets, to be part of a 20-team NRL competition in the next decade.
Albanese grew up in Sydney’s inner west and admired the Newtown Jets as a youngster.
Greg Florimo is a Bears legend and has worked tirelessly behind the scenes over the past few years to ensure the club remains relevant.
‘We definitely support the NRL bid and, more importantly, PNG Prime Minister (James) Murape strongly supports an NRL team.
‘This is a country that will celebrate its 50th year of independence in a couple of years (2025).
“With PNG’s participation in the NRL, I can think of no better way to achieve a continued relationship and commitment between our two countries.”
And now, according to the Daily Telegraph, the newly engaged premier wants both the North Sydney Bears and Newtown Jets to return to the NRL.
“It would be great to see the Bears back in the NRL,” Albanese said.
‘My first preference is to see a team based in Papua New Guinea. It’s an NRL matter, of course, but having an expansion team in the Pacific would be very positive for Australia’s national interests.
‘As the league reaches possibly 20 teams over time, there is a chance that the teams associated with the Bears will return.
‘I would also like to see Newtown come back. “It would be great to see the Jets back in the big league…they (Newtown and North Sydney) are wonderful brands.”
Newtown left the ARL premiership after the 1983 season due to financial dramas, while the Bears departed in 1999.
The subsequent joint venture with Manly as the Northern Eagles was a disaster, and the Bears eventually returned to rugby league in the New South Wales Cup as a semi-professional team.
In recent years, they have also acted as feeder clubs for the likes of South Sydney and Sydney Roosters.