Peter V’landys has responded to what he describes as “biased” media reports regarding the Perth Bears, taking a swipe at the AFL for their concerns about the NRL’s expansion. The NRL has officially announced its intention to introduce an 18th team in Perth for the 2027 season, with an estimated $65 million deal secured between the league and the Western Australian government. However, the decision has met with various levels of opposition.
The front page of The West Australian labelled the team as "the bad news Bears," along with vocal criticism from WA Premier Roger Cook. V’landys, the chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), expressed his dissatisfaction with the local media’s portrayal of the situation, suggesting a conflict of interest since the publication is owned by Seven West Media, which holds AFL broadcasting rights. He bluntly stated, "I think the media coverage has been a bit biased," adding that the AFL is wary of the NRL’s expansion because it will intensify competition in the market.
When questioned about any communication with AFL officials regarding the new team, V’landys dismissed the necessity of such discussions, arguing the point with a colourful analogy: "I don’t see McDonald’s checking with Kentucky Fried Chicken when they’re opening a new store." He emphasised that there had not been any dialogue between the NRL and AFL on this matter, asserting that their respective operations are independent.
The introduction of the Perth Bears is part of a broader expansion strategy for the NRL, with further plans to incorporate a team based in Papua New Guinea by 2028, and discussions for possibly expanding to a 20th team in the future. The confidence expressed by V’landys signals a determined push for rugby league’s footprint in new territories, despite the pushback from rival codes and media critics.