LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Perth Bears are set to return to the NRL, and fans are advocating for their comeback match to be against their longtime rivals, the Manly Sea Eagles, at Bear Park.
This matchup is especially significant for North Sydney supporters, who blame Manly for the Bears being driven out of the competition 26 years ago.
One fan expressed the excitement of this moment, stating, "I'm sick of supporting whoever is playing Manly.
This is one of the happiest moments of my life."
Ross Pitman, who runs the Facebook group 'The Den' with 11,000 members, supports the push for the Bears' first game against Manly at North Sydney Oval.
"It's a great idea.
It will be the ultimate tribal experience for a whole new generation of Bears fans," he noted.
Many newer fans have only heard stories about this historic rivalry.
The animosity runs deep, as North Sydney had a significant role in allowing Manly to join the league in 1947, leading to the Bears' decline.
Former Manly prop Mark Carroll adds credibility to the rivalry, recalling his experiences in tough Manly-Norths derbies during his career from 1994 to 1997.