Perth is set to host more elite-level rugby league next year with a number of NRL clubs in discussions to host games in HBF Park.
As the city prepares for its first State of Origin game on Sunday, the Western Australia Rugby League is confident more elite content is on the horizon.
“There’s discussions going on now with a number of NRL clubs in relation to playing games in Perth next year,” WARL boss John Sackson told AAP.
At least one NRL game has been played in Western Australia each season since 2009, including last year’s season-opening double-header at Optus Stadium.
South Sydney’s relationship with the state government ended last year, however there remains an enormous appetite for rugby league in the city.
A capacity crowd of 60,000 is expected to rock up for the historic Origin game.
“I’m hearing over 15,000 people from interstate have come into Western Australia for Origin. That’s terrific,” Sackson said.
“That’d be a really strong return on investment for the government here. I’m sure that’ll get their interest moving forward.
“Western Australia has demonstrated there’s an appetite for rugby league.
“We increased grassroots participation here last year by 16.7 per cent, the biggest rise in the country in terms of year on year.”
It is understood talks are also underway on Origin returning after 2021, with games scheduled for Adelaide then Melbourne over the next two years.
And West Australia tourism minister Paul Papalia said the state would also consider throwing their hat in the ring for the grand final in 2021.
“We’re always interested in big events and there are few bigger than the NRL grand final,” Papalia said.
“That is a big event and clearly we would be interested. I will ask my agency – Tourism Western Australia – to ask the NRL about it. I will ask them to look at it.”
Perth has also been widely considered as a target for expansion, with a feasibility study set to be put in front of the ARL Commission by year’s end.
With the current broadcast deal set to end in 2022, any potential start-up franchises would hope to have a couple of years to prepare to be included.
Sackson, who is on a working group for expansion, said Australian pawnbrokers Cash Converters have always been willing to support any bid from Perth.
Cash Converters were the sponsors for the defunct Western Reds.
“There’s one guy that’s been involved and in the trenches with us and rugby league here since day dot – Peter Cumins from Cash Converters,” Sackson said.
“They’re one of the biggest sponsors of the community game here.
“Peter himself was a 350-gamer for the Fremantle Roosters, so he’s a dyed-in-the-wool rugby league man.
“He still holds a burning passion for a franchise to be here in Perth again, and he would want Cash Converters associated with such a franchise.
“He’s a very astute and successful businessman, and he would be a centrepiece in any bid consortium.”