The Bears have outlined their plans to become the NRL’s next expansion side when the league moves to add an 18th team.
Following The Dolphins being added as the 17th franchise, North Sydney are now hoping to be readmitted when the league makes the natural move to 18 teams.
Having last played in the NRL in 1999, the club – which will be known just as ‘The Bears’ – will pitch to play their majority of games in regional NSW while playing four to six games at North Sydney Oval.
While they’ll likely have the finances and supporter base to make it work, The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis thinks it’s a long shot despite the majority of fans supporting their re-admission.
“It’s so deflating to criticise or try to speak down of the Bears’ chances,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I think everyone would want them back in the competition in some way, shape or form.
“Good luck to them, they’ve reinvented themselves this time around, they’ve gone away from the Central Coast and North Sydney and they’ve said we’re going to take all of our games to regional New South Wales with a sprinkling of games at North Sydney.
“North Sydney would still be their home, but they’d be called ‘The Bears’ and they’d play in regional areas.
“I like the concept, but I don’t think it’s going to work.
“For me, North Sydney’s best chance or The Bears’ best chance is aligning themselves with Perth or one of those growth areas, to be called the Perth Bears or West Australian Bears and play a heritage game at North Sydney.
“I like the idea, I like the concept though, I hope it goes well.”
SEN host Andrew Voss also views their bid as unlikely due to the NRL’s preference to target growth areas where they can introduce new fans.
“I think they’re long odds,” Voss said.
“Let’s be honest, I think they’re long odds, but I don’t mind the concept.
“But would a Perth-based club or a New Zealand-based club be the preference? Probably yes, if I’m thinking with my head and not my heart.”
The Bears currently are a feeder club for the Roosters in the NSW Cup, but they believe they have the capability to go it alone in first-grade.