LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The NRL has delivered a crushing blow to fans of the North Sydney Bears, rejecting the Western Bears' bid to join the competition in 2027.
ARL Commission chief Peter V'landys confirmed the decision, plunging a dagger into the hearts of long-suffering Bears supporters.
The North Sydney Bears, a foundation club that was kicked out of the competition in 1999 during the aftermath of the Super League war, have been fighting for a comeback ever since.
Their hopes seemed to be revitalized as part of the Western Australian bid to bring the NRL to Perth, but the rejection of the bid due to a hefty licensing fee has left their dreams hanging by a thread.
Fans of the Bears are left devastated once again, with the sting of rejection reminiscent of the tough times the club has faced in the past.
While this may not be the end of the road for the Bears, the uphill battle for their return to the NRL just got a whole lot steeper.