LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The announcement that the Perth Bears will become the NRL's 18th team in 2027 has sparked mixed reactions among long-time North Sydney Bears fans.
While some fans celebrated the news at the North Sydney Leagues Club, others, like Rohan Hancock, express discontent, feeling a sense of betrayal regarding the club's legacy.
Hancock has deep familial ties to the Bears; his father and uncle played for the team, creating cherished memories of attending games at North Sydney Oval in the '80s and '90s.
He reminisced about the camaraderie after matches, stating, "My dad and my uncle both played for the Bears years before I was born...
Incredible times." However, the failed merger with Manly and the subsequent revival of the Sea Eagles left Hancock disillusioned, causing him to distance himself from rugby league.
He criticized the branding of the new Perth Bears, arguing, "The fact this announcement refers to a 'new' club in the NRL for Perth is the entire problem." For Hancock and other loyal fans, the focus on a "new" club diminishes the rich history and identity of the original North Sydney Bears.