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Rugby league legend Mark Geyer believes the North Sydney Bears introduction as the NRL’s 18th franchise hinges on one major factor — the success of the Dolphins.
Wayne Bennett has been tasked with building the Dolphins’ roster ahead of their debut campaign in 2023 and has struggled to attract marquee players.
While the super coach has signed veteran forward Felise Kaufusi as well as Cowboys flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, the Dolphins missed out on Cameron Munster, Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga and Harry Grant.
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The Bears confirmed the club has been pledged a $15 million endorsement if they are successful in their bid to become the NRL’s 18th franchise.
However, Geyer believes ARLC powerbrokers won’t make any moves until the Dolphins complete a full season.
“There is a lot of water that has to go under that bridge before that happens, I mean at the moment the Bears chairman is saying there is a lot of corporate support for the Bears,” Geyer said on Triple M.
“That’s fine, I get it, there is because everyone wants to see the Bears, we all grew up with the Bears, I loved playing at Bear Park, it was fantastic.
“But the cold hard facts are the NRL will watch the Dolphins with bated breath this next season, I dare say if the Dolphins surprise and jump out of the blocks and go a lot better than people think, the 18th franchise will be hurried up a bit more.
“If they don’t, I think we are going to have to wait three to four years until we see the 18th team and unfortunately for us we are going to see a bye round each week.”
Bears legend Billy Moore previously revealed the model the club pitched to the NRL, explaining they are preparing to move anywhere in Australia to secure a return to rugby league’s top flight.
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Geyer, who played for the Western Reds between 1995 and 1997, believes the Bears need to base themselves in Western Australia.
“If the Bears are going to do it they can’t do it alone, they have got to go west to the old Western Reds,” Geyer said.
“Of course I have got a vested interest in this, I did play for the Western Reds, I know there was a market then, there is an even stronger market now.
“I went over there for Origin a few years ago and called the game, they love their league, they really do, so if the North Sydney Bears want to jump in bed with the Reds.
“I don’t mind the new franchise being called the Western Bears, that sounds great to me, I think they’d kill it.
“That gives us what we want, the National Rugby League isn’t national at the moment, we are the eastern seaboard league, so make us national, let’s go west baby.”
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