North Sydney Bears chairman Daniel Dickson has provided clarity around the club’s formal bid to become the 18th NRL team.
The Bears were a foundation club in 1908 and despite their exit from the competition after the 1999 season, have maintained a passionate following in the NSW Cup. The Bears have consistently made attempts to re-enter the competition.
Following the news that Papua New Guinea would become the 18th team, Dickson said the club would lend the Bears brand to any team established in the pacific region.
“We are very much for collaboration,” Dickson told SEN 1170.
“The game has told us that we would have to take (our base) away from North Sydney.
“Hence why we are looking at (the Pacific) and PNG have been in the media a lot and the Government is backing them.
“The greater Pacific is an area we would like to be and we are ready to bolt onto that franchise.
“The game would benefit greatly.”
The Bears have also previously been linked with an expansion team in Perth and have been backed by former players including Billy Moore.
Dickson said the Bears will be incredibly lenient in negotiations but will not budge on the team's iconic red and black colours.
“You could be anywhere in Australia and people are wearing the red and black,” Dickson continued.
“The logo and the colour (cannot change) and when you’re evolving a brand, you musty make sure the heritage is believable.
“We want to make sure our 1000-plus legends in the last 115 years can still connect to the club and feel a part of it.
“It’s the most important thing.”